win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner  (Read 79559 times)

mr300ny

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 169
Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« on: December 18, 2011, 07:28:19 AM »
First off, let me start by saying I am neurotic about my equipment and cleaners. I normally use Powerhouse cleaner or something similar to that, but I would like to know if rubbing alcohol or alcohol pads will have the same effect on cleaning reactive resin balls? Would like to hear from experienced bowlers and their opinions on this. Thanks!

High Game: 300 (3x) (11/3/07, 7/6/11, 8/23/11)
High Series: 798 (2/9/08)

Stony Brook University Bowling
Cranking the crap outta balls since birth.
Better Lucky than good.

 

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #31 on: December 20, 2011, 03:19:12 PM »
Mainzer,
 
You 're making this personal. I will not get into personal attacks and defense on the internet.
It is not and never has been about whose judgment is better. And when did bowling skill ever enter this discussion? What does that have to do with anything we tried to discuss? (Don't answer. That is just a rhetorical question.)
 
You want to use alcohol. Fine, use it. No skin off my nose.
I tried to help. That's all. No more, no less. You don't want it. Fine. End of story.


"None are so blind as those who will not see."

 
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

mainzer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4405
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #32 on: December 20, 2011, 03:37:26 PM »

 
charlest wrote on 12/20/2011 4:19 PM:
Mainzer,
 
You 're making this personal. I will not get into personal attacks and defense on the internet.
It is not and never has been about whose judgment is better. And when did bowling skill ever enter this discussion? What does that have to do with anything we tried to discuss? (Don't answer. That is just a rhetorical question.)
 
You want to use alcohol. Fine, use it. No skin off my nose.
I tried to help. That's all. No more, no less. You don't want it. Fine. End of story.


"None are so blind as those who will not see."

 


My apologies charlest.


MainzerPower
"No one runs...from the conquerer "

MainzerPower

ToiletLogCore

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 161
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #33 on: December 20, 2011, 03:59:01 PM »
All you people are clear experts on all these cleaners, yet no one can seem to answer the simplest question asked in this thread? 

The reason such cleaners as Hook-it and C&D are approved for ONLY prior or after competition is because these are basically liquid sandpaper, abrasives. Therefore, it would contradict the other rule of altering the bowling surface during competition. 

So to clear another question up in this thread, these products end up with dirt and what not on a white paper towel because they are scuffing the ball as well as cleaning it.  To me that is not a "deeper" clean, that is more keeping a freshly scuffed surface.

Hope this simple information can help in this cat fight.


You've just been handed a little TLC

mainzer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4405
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #34 on: December 20, 2011, 04:14:40 PM »
Very good point TLC
+1

 
ToiletLogCore wrote on 12/20/2011 4:59 PM:
All you people are clear experts on all these cleaners, yet no one can seem to answer the simplest question asked in this thread? 

The reason such cleaners as Hook-it and C&D are approved for ONLY prior or after competition is because these are basically liquid sandpaper, abrasives. Therefore, it would contradict the other rule of altering the bowling surface during competition. 

So to clear another question up in this thread, these products end up with dirt and what not on a white paper towel because they are scuffing the ball as well as cleaning it.  To me that is not a "deeper" clean, that is more keeping a freshly scuffed surface.

Hope this simple information can help in this cat fight.


You've just been handed a little TLC



MainzerPower
"No one runs...from the conquerer "

MainzerPower

Sunshine n Lollipops

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1900
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #35 on: December 20, 2011, 10:34:38 PM »
Man, this topic comes up every couple of years.  It's a good topic but Toilet hit the nail squarely in his reply.  I did a study of all major cleaners a while back for this very topic.  Any cleaner that is going to handle oil needs three components. 

First is a medium to deliver the cleaners.  Water is the most used ingredient for that. 

 

Next, as mentioned before are surfactants. A surfactant or surface active agent is a substance that, when dissolved in water, gives a product the ability to remove dirt from surfaces such as the human skin, textiles, and other solids.

In more technical terms:


  • they enable the cleaning solution to fully wet the surface being cleaned so that dirt can be readily loosened and removed.
  • they clean greasy, oily, particulate-, protein-, and carbohydrate-based stains.
  • they are instrumental in removing dirt and in keeping them emulsified, suspended, and dispersed so they don't settle back onto the surface being cleaned.

Third, you need a solvent.  Isopropyl Alchohol does nicely in this regard.  It also evaporates easily leaving no residue.

 

Most commercial cleaners are a mix of water, citric acid, and alchol.  This is why a solution of 33% water (delivery system), 33% Simple Green Concentrate (surfactant) , and 33% 91% or higher Isopropyl Alcohol (solvent) is so effective.  Water is not only the delivery system but is a universal solvent,  Simple Green is a superior surfactant (Dawn dish soap is another one) and the alcohol is a solvent that evaporates and leaves no residue on the ball.  Doesn't come in a fancy bottle, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and isn't mixed in a bottling plant.  Just flat out works.  It's your ball and your money so it most definitely is your choice.   



 Don't believe in the Uzi, it just went off in my hand.  I, I believe in love.  

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #36 on: December 20, 2011, 10:41:07 PM »
Says who...you?   Have you ever used any of these before/after?  C&D, Hook IT or LM cleaner?
 
IF you have you can see they have NO abrasive structure in their make-up. 
 
Sheesh!
ToiletLogCore wrote on 12/20/2011 4:59 PM:
All you people are clear experts on all these cleaners, yet no one can seem to answer the simplest question asked in this thread? 

The reason such cleaners as Hook-it and C&D are approved for ONLY prior or after competition is because these are basically liquid sandpaper, abrasives. Therefore, it would contradict the other rule of altering the bowling surface during competition. 

So to clear another question up in this thread, these products end up with dirt and what not on a white paper towel because they are scuffing the ball as well as cleaning it.  To me that is not a "deeper" clean, that is more keeping a freshly scuffed surface.

Hope this simple information can help in this cat fight.


You've just been handed a little TLC


Scott

Scott

Sunshine n Lollipops

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1900
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #37 on: December 20, 2011, 10:50:33 PM »
In addition, you don't really need a cleaner at all.  90 minutes in the dishwasher will remove as much oil as a Revivor.  And yes, my pro shop operator and I have done the experiment where I have given him a ball fresh from the dishwasher and we have put it in the Revivor and were not able to draw any more oil out of the ball.  Like I said; your ball, your money, your choice. 



 Don't believe in the Uzi, it just went off in my hand.  I, I believe in love.  

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #38 on: December 21, 2011, 09:04:29 AM »
I had to answer this one.
Is Acetone also on the list of not approved substances because it has abrasives it?
No!
Clean and Dull and Hook-It  have as many abrasives in it as acetone does.
One has only to look at and feel these 2 liquids to know that. Since you have obviously never done this, how can you make such a comment?
 
ToiletLogCore wrote on 12/20/2011 4:59 PM:
The reason such cleaners as Hook-it and C&D are approved for ONLY prior or after competition is because these are basically liquid sandpaper, abrasives. Therefore, it would contradict the other rule of altering the bowling surface during competition. 

So to clear another question up in this thread, these products end up with dirt and what not on a white paper towel because they are scuffing the ball as well as cleaning it.  To me that is not a "deeper" clean, that is more keeping a freshly scuffed surface.

Hope this simple information can help in this cat fight.


You've just been handed a little TLC


"None are so blind as those who will not see."

 
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

ToiletLogCore

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 161
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #39 on: December 21, 2011, 09:49:07 AM »
Um, yes Scotts, I have used these products with exception to the LM Cleaner, which is why I made statements in response to this thread as opposed to giving suggestions on why some are approved and some aren't. Try to keep up. 

Charlest, this following statement includes you also, seeing as how you still have questions.

Clean & Dull dulls the ball.  How can just a simple liquid dull a ball?  It can't. Cleaners don't dull a ball they clean.  So therefore, in order to have Clean AND DULL there has to be something added that will alter the surface. 

Same goes for hook-it. Any description of this products clearly states "increases 'tac.'" 

I'm going to stop here, because if you still don't get it then I'm just wasting my energy typing anyways.
 



scotts33 wrote on 12/20/2011 11:41 PM:
Says who...you?   Have you ever used any of these before/after?  C&D, Hook IT or LM cleaner?

 

IF you have you can see they have NO abrasive structure in their make-up. 

 

Sheesh!



ToiletLogCore wrote on 12/20/2011 4:59 PM:
All you people are clear experts on all these cleaners, yet no one can seem to answer the simplest question asked in this thread? 


The reason such cleaners as Hook-it and C&D are approved for ONLY prior or after competition is because these are basically liquid sandpaper, abrasives. Therefore, it would contradict the other rule of altering the bowling surface during competition. 


So to clear another question up in this thread, these products end up with dirt and what not on a white paper towel because they are scuffing the ball as well as cleaning it.  To me that is not a "deeper" clean, that is more keeping a freshly scuffed surface.


Hope this simple information can help in this cat fight.


You've just been handed a little TLC


Scott



You've just been handed a little TLC

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #40 on: December 21, 2011, 10:12:37 AM »
TLC,
 
So, you are saying that all three that I listed C&D, LM cleaner and Hook-IT have abrasives?  
 
You do realize that ball cover stock can be changed by a chemical reaction without the use of abrasives?   Who needs to keep up?
ToiletLogCore wrote on 12/21/2011 10:49 AM:
Um, yes Scotts, I have used these products with exception to the LM Cleaner, which is why I made statements in response to this thread as opposed to giving suggestions on why some are approved and some aren't. Try to keep up. 

Charlest, this following statement includes you also, seeing as how you still have questions.

Clean & Dull dulls the ball.  How can just a simple liquid dull a ball?  It can't. Cleaners don't dull a ball they clean.  So therefore, in order to have Clean AND DULL there has to be something added that will alter the surface. 

Same goes for hook-it. Any description of this products clearly states "increases 'tac.'" 

I'm going to stop here, because if you still don't get it then I'm just wasting my energy typing anyways.
 



scotts33 wrote on 12/20/2011 11:41 PM:
Says who...you?   Have you ever used any of these before/after?  C&D, Hook IT or LM cleaner?

 

IF you have you can see they have NO abrasive structure in their make-up. 

 

Sheesh!



ToiletLogCore wrote on 12/20/2011 4:59 PM:
All you people are clear experts on all these cleaners, yet no one can seem to answer the simplest question asked in this thread? 


The reason such cleaners as Hook-it and C&D are approved for ONLY prior or after competition is because these are basically liquid sandpaper, abrasives. Therefore, it would contradict the other rule of altering the bowling surface during competition. 


So to clear another question up in this thread, these products end up with dirt and what not on a white paper towel because they are scuffing the ball as well as cleaning it.  To me that is not a "deeper" clean, that is more keeping a freshly scuffed surface.


Hope this simple information can help in this cat fight.


You've just been handed a little TLC


Scott



You've just been handed a little TLC


Scott

Scott

ToiletLogCore

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 161
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #41 on: December 21, 2011, 10:47:51 AM »
Exactly the response I expected.  So what you are now saying is being you can't see or feel them, there are no abrasives additives in any products.  Feel the surface of your ball, do you feel the points of the roughness of the ball when it's scuffed, or does it still feel "smooth?" I'm talking something at 500 or 1000, not 80 grit like I'm sure you'd respond with.  Do you feel the scrubbing agents in certain soaps and dishwashing liquids (i.e. A lot of soaps and household cleaners use orange peels as a scrubbing agent)? Guess what, technology allows these to be ground up fine enough so they aren't sensed by human touch yet still have a "grit" to they on the surface they are being used on.

 

Enough of that though, even though I know you will continue to dwell on that and completely miss the whole point of my original statement.

The actual point is that these products ALTER the surface, which is why they aren't approved for use during competition. 

 

And to answer your other question, I have done everything talked about that you are questioning me on. I've worked in a pro shop for many years, with a majority of my first year resurfacing and cleaning bowling balls to gain the experience of what most products do and the different between them.  So yes, I do know a bit about what I'm talking about. 

 

And to Charlest, sorry I actually worry more about throwing the ball well than every last detail of the grit and polish and finishing surface of my bowling balls. 

 

Awaiting your responses dwelling on the contents of the products and not the main point that no matter what, they ALTER the surface and this is the reason they aren't approved for use during competition, to which I will not bother replying. 
 



scotts33 wrote on 12/21/2011 11:12 AM:
TLC,

 

So, you are saying that all three that I listed C&D, LM cleaner and Hook-IT have abrasives?  

 

You do realize that ball cover stock can be changed by a chemical reaction without the use of abrasives?   Who needs to keep up?



ToiletLogCore wrote on 12/21/2011 10:49 AM:
Um, yes Scotts, I have used these products with exception to the LM Cleaner, which is why I made statements in response to this thread as opposed to giving suggestions on why some are approved and some aren't. Try to keep up. 


Charlest, this following statement includes you also, seeing as how you still have questions.


Clean & Dull dulls the ball.  How can just a simple liquid dull a ball?  It can't. Cleaners don't dull a ball they clean.  So therefore, in order to have Clean AND DULL there has to be something added that will alter the surface. 


Same goes for hook-it. Any description of this products clearly states "increases 'tac.'" 


I'm going to stop here, because if you still don't get it then I'm just wasting my energy typing anyways.
 







You've just been handed a little TLC


Scott



You've just been handed a little TLC

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #42 on: December 21, 2011, 10:54:11 AM »
Acetone has abrasives as does LM cleaner? 

Scott

Scott

mainzer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4405
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #43 on: December 21, 2011, 02:40:32 PM »

 Yes Acetone has abrasives in it, I don't know about LM Cleaner for sure I have not seen around here in awhile.

 

Maybe the reason why some of these high end covers are dying is because you guys are pouring abrassive chemicals on them. Just a idea.



scotts33 wrote on 12/21/2011 11:54 AM:Acetone has abrasives as does LM cleaner? 

Scott




MainzerPower
"No one runs...from the conquerer "

MainzerPower

spider 11

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #44 on: October 19, 2012, 09:02:01 PM »

I was told by a PBA member that alcohol CLOSES ball pores. He said to use anything that contains ethylene. Possibly even Windex.

tdub36tjt

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1542
Re: Rubbing Alcohol as a Ball Cleaner
« Reply #45 on: October 19, 2012, 09:53:47 PM »
Hook it is the cleaner we use at the shop and I can tell with hook it who keeps up on maintaining their equipment when using hook it. When cleaning an oil soaked ball you will actually see oil coming out to the surface of the ball. I will say it takes a while you get it to where u will stop having oil come to the surface and to get it all off. Before I talked the owner into using hook it we were using a alcohol based cleaner a local guy makes and saw no such reaction with that cleaner. I'm not here to argue one is better than the other just saying what I have witnessed.

Also, I saw somewhere a chemist who said that hook it us the only cleaner he knew of that  had a chemical in it that he knew of that could dissolve lane oil. Whether that is true or not I can't say....