BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: ITZPS on December 30, 2014, 02:56:05 PM

Title: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: ITZPS on December 30, 2014, 02:56:05 PM
Do you towel your ball off before each shot or not, and why?  I did it long before I really understood why, just because I saw somebody else doing and figured it must be important.  I continue to do it mostly to slow oil absorption and because my bowtie is right where my index finger normally lays and I don't like it slipping.  I also feel like keeping the surface fresh each shot helps me read what the lanes are doing better.  I really like Master's Wipe It Dry pad, it takes EVERYTHING off, even gets some belt marks and other debris off if you're firm with it.  What about everybody else?
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: milorafferty on December 30, 2014, 02:59:36 PM
I do it before every shot, mostly out of habit as it's part of my pre-shot routine at this point. Not even sure how I got started doing it.
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: mainzer on December 30, 2014, 03:01:17 PM
I haven't wiped a ball off in years lol. And I only use rubbing alcohol to clean them
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: lilpossum1 on December 30, 2014, 03:28:12 PM
I started doing it because I got tired of getting lane oil on my hands. Now it is a pre shot routine, and still hate getting lane oil on my hands
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: JohnP on December 30, 2014, 06:22:42 PM
I wipe before shots.  The advantage of track flare is that the ball is constantly rolling over fresh surface.  If you leave the oil on the ball that advantage is partially lost.  --  JohnP
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: St. Croix on December 30, 2014, 06:37:37 PM
I also use Master's Pad generally before each shot. The Pad cleans the ball better than a microfiber towel.
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: no300tj on December 30, 2014, 09:39:34 PM
Wiping the ball has been part of my routine for over 20 years. I believe oil left on the ball can create an inconsistent reaction for the next shot. Even when the lanes get to where there is nothing left, I still wipe the "nothing" off of the ball.

It won't prevent the need for an oil extraction, but it can postpone it. I haven't tried one of the new pads, only microfiber towels.   
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: Steven on December 31, 2014, 08:58:01 AM
I wipe off the ball between shots, and I clean my equipment at the alley immediately after use.
 
I have my own oil extraction unit (NuBall), and I'm hardly ever able to get visible oil to the surface on my own stuff. Now, the only real use my NuBall gets is to help out teammates who don't wipe down or clean at all. Last week, it took me 5 hours to completely extract oil from one of those balls. The ball went from an oil clogged dud to a revitalized hook monster.
 
The bottom line is that wiping down and cleaning does make a huge difference.
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: ambi1 on January 02, 2015, 06:06:44 AM
Better to wipe.

I've been doing it since urethane days.  Now, with a microfiber towel, damp with cleaner, before every shot.
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: robs247 on January 02, 2015, 07:11:39 AM
I tend to do it after every shot, it's part of my pre-shot routine.  I find that it gives me a consistent reaction over the series.  I see other bowlers who don't do it and they're scratching their heads as to why it's not reacting the same time after time.

I just got a few of the storm shammy's in the shop to try out and everyone seems to love them.

http://amzn.to/1DawfPn

I know they're expensive but i'd say they're well worth the money!!  :)
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: Pink Floyd on January 02, 2015, 07:34:52 AM
I do it out of habit.
Title: Re: Wipe oil off the ball or not?
Post by: EL3MCNEIL on January 02, 2015, 01:25:02 PM
Wiping my ball has been imbedded in me as a part of my pre-shot routine. I even wipe off my plastic ball if it's the first time out of the bag. It's just a habit now and I think it can get psychological for lots of people.