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Author Topic: Putting polish on a normally matte ball  (Read 13405 times)

valanthekayland

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Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« on: January 17, 2014, 11:48:08 AM »
Hello everyone.  I'm friends with someone who is an excellent bowler and he gave me one of his spare bowling balls to redrill to get back into the game.  It's a Storm Reign of Power.  Now normally this ball comes with a factory matte finish...my friend suggested that after it's done being drilled to probably put some polish on it so that the finish isn't as rough.

My question is...how do I do this without potentially ruining a really good ball.  Are there specific finishes out there I should buy and then apply...or do you just toss it into the machine one generally sees at the bowling alley?  Where I'm experienced bowler...I have zero practical knowledge when it comes to maintaining and changes the surfaces of today's reactive resin balls.  I would like to polish it up a bit some it will be a little more controllable for me..and I don't want to make a mistake doing it.

Additionally does anyone have a recommendation on how to properly treat and maintain a Storm Reign of Power?  As in how often to clean the ball...in what manner can this be accomplished etc.  Any help is appreciated.

 

vkowalski1970

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2014, 12:19:57 PM »
Go to your proshop and have them polish it...do not put in a machine!!! The pro shop will know what to do!
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2handedrook12

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2014, 12:24:09 PM »
Out of curiosity, why shouldn't a bowler use the machines?
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Juggernaut

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2014, 12:51:09 PM »
Out of curiosity, why shouldn't a bowler use the machines?

 Most of the machines have a compound that contains a wax, or wax compounds, that can clog the pores of a modern reactive resin ball.

 While the machines were OK for the older type balls, they can kill a resin ball.

 The pro shop will have polishes made specifically for polishing and cleaning the surface of your ball.
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valanthekayland

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2014, 02:00:51 PM »
Thank you for the info.  I will indeed go through the pro shop.  Does anyone have any suggestion on ball maintenance for a reactive resin?  How often to clean, what to clean with etc outside of the usual toweling off etc.

charlest

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2014, 02:06:03 PM »
Thank you for the info.  I will indeed go through the pro shop.  Does anyone have any suggestion on ball maintenance for a reactive resin?  How often to clean, what to clean with etc outside of the usual toweling off etc.

Clean after each use with a good bowling-ball specific cleaners (Others may suggest a cheaper alternative; I'd rather use a cleaner meant for the job at hand.) before you put the balls back in your bags. It takes maybe 30 - 45 seconds to clean a ball.

Refresh the surface (not complete resurface) every 12 - 30 games depending on the use and wear and tear (rev rate, friction level of the lane surface, etc.) & the ball reaction.  Re-surface every 30 - 50 games, again depending on the wear and tear level and ball reaction.

Do an oil extraction every 50 - 100 games again depending on the use and rev rate and amount of oil bowled on.

The more rev dominant you are and the amount of oil bowled upon, the greater the frequency and amount of cleaning will  be required. The more speed dominant you are, the less you may need some of this maintenance.
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greenefam

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2014, 04:35:24 PM »
I agree with going to a pro shop, but talk to them about what they are going to use.  If you want this to be the new surface I'd use Storm Step 2 initially rather than any of the other polishes.

cav

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2014, 07:23:33 AM »
Out of curiosity, why shouldn't a bowler use the machines?

 Most of the machines have a compound that contains a wax, or wax compounds, that can clog the pores of a modern reactive resin ball.

 While the machines were OK for the older type balls, they can kill a resin ball.

 The pro shop will have polishes made specifically for polishing and cleaning the surface of your ball.

Not trying to be argumentative, but my 20+ year ball driller (and 230 avg.) always puts his gear in the ball machine polisher....and recommends that I do as well.


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vkowalski1970

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2014, 07:25:12 AM »
It will diminish the life of the ball. It works but will eventually hurt the surface
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cav

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2014, 07:29:22 AM »
What else can I do to bring the surface back?  To my Hy road, sometimes its the difference between a 180 and a 220.... and I's love my hy-road.
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charlest

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2014, 07:55:51 AM »
Out of curiosity, why shouldn't a bowler use the machines?

 Most of the machines have a compound that contains a wax, or wax compounds, that can clog the pores of a modern reactive resin ball.

 While the machines were OK for the older type balls, they can kill a resin ball.

 The pro shop will have polishes made specifically for polishing and cleaning the surface of your ball.

Not trying to be argumentative, but my 20+ year ball driller (and 230 avg.) always puts his gear in the ball machine polisher....and recommends that I do as well.

Cav

it's a matter of precaution. Most of those machines were intended for plastic and urethane and they had polishes which contained wax or silicone. That's fine for urethane but not for resin. It kills resin balls, reducing their hook and power a lot.

The problem is not all of the polish machines in bowling alleys have been changed over to polishes suitable for resin. If your driller does it, like mine, I'd assume that machine's polish does not contain wax or silicone. So it should be safe to use. If no one else has tried that machine or any machine, I personally just wouldn't take a chance on it.
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Aloarjr810

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Re: Putting polish on a normally matte ball
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2014, 08:43:31 AM »
it's a matter of precaution. Most of those machines were intended for plastic and urethane and they had polishes which contained wax or silicone. That's fine for urethane but not for resin. It kills resin balls, reducing their hook and power a lot.

The problem is not all of the polish machines in bowling alleys have been changed over to polishes suitable for resin. If your driller does it, like mine, I'd assume that machine's polish does not contain wax or silicone. So it should be safe to use. If no one else has tried that machine or any machine, I personally just wouldn't take a chance on it.

I agree+

One time here they tried a new compound block in the machine (I think it was called either "Blue Genie or Green Genie") and it killed several balls before they caught on that was the cause.

They had to sand the balls to get the stuff out.

Another thing with the machine is a lot of people don't clean the ball before using it. And it grinds the dirt and oil into it, plus it gets on the buffing wheel so gets on the next ball.

« Last Edit: January 24, 2014, 08:47:56 AM by Aloarjr810 »
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