Don't bother covering the finger or thumb holes. Just completed soaking a Big Time and a Goliath, two oil sponges. You need to wipe the ball dry as many times as is necessary to have the ball come up looking new after it quickly dries. Keep in mind, some of that oil that keeps finding it's way back on the ball is from the oil that's on the surafce of the water. If you'd like, try to skim the top of the water with a paper towel to try to remove some of the oil that's been extracted from the ball. After you're done, grab a cleaner/degreaser of your choice and apply it to a light-colored towel and wipe the ball down one last time. If the towel looks to be clean after wiping the ball down, you're done. One last wipe of the ball with a clean microfiber towel and it's all good.
As for the hands, try some rubber gloves. Otherwise, take you pain, ya' pansy.
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