Alcohol

[Pincrusher]

How often should I clean my balls with Alcohol? Every 3 games? 6, 10, 20 ??? Thanks...

[Hammerpower]

I use alcohol after every 3 games then the ebonite cleaner the orange bottle
some think thats to much but my ball still hooks like the first time I used it.

[jimmy_evans311]

i use alcohol every 3 games and polis with matte 800 grit polish every 3 games to keep the track clean and fresh.

[TenPinSniper]

Read this previous post:

http://hammerbowling.com/hammertalk/showthread.php?t=245&highlight=cleaning

also search for cleaning.

The only thing that use alcohol for is cleaning my grips.

[HammerPrideIL]

I would recommend NEVER using Alcohol.

Use Ebonite Powerhouse Cleaner.

[Gryndryno]

Ebonite Powerhouse Cleaner is all that I use period.

[LordWalrus]

I would recommend NEVER using Alcohol.

Use Ebonite Powerhouse Cleaner.


Advice taken. But, I'm the curious type. Why is alcohol a bad thing?


\/\/

[Hammerpower]

I would also like to know why alcohol is bad because the USBC web site has it listed as Acceptable During certified Competition:confused:

[Street Racer]

i have heard it puts lil ice stuff in the ball(i dnt know what the word is), but it makes the ball skid more, because it cant get any traction, well thats wat i have been told, is this true? but i use the ebonite power house cleaner,

[HammerPrideIL]

That alcohol smears the oil around and actually cloggs the pores more than pulling the oil out.

I have watched as many a bowler has used alcohol on thier ball after every set and then the ball dies after 60 games. Hmm.....got to be something to that.

[Pincrusher]

That alcohol smears the oil around and actually cloggs the pores more than pulling the oil out.

I have watched as many a bowler has used alcohol on thier ball after every set and then the ball dies after 60 games. Hmm.....got to be something to that.

My coach said to use alcohol, so I did and the towell was filthy black when I was finished cleaning it, and the ball's cover felt tacky. (Just Curious). I also used this best shot cleaner that says it good on all balls after about 9 games, and It made the cover clean but the towell was not dirty from the ball like with alcohol. My coach also said after every month to use acetone, but someone on another site said it was illegal.
:confused: So I'm confused??? :confused:
I bought some Ebonite Powerhouse Energizer Cleaner. How often should I use it? Will it replace using acetone, and alcohol??? Thanks...

(P.S.- I do not want to put the ball in the bath tub, dishwasher, or oven!!!)

[Pincrusher]

My coach said to use alcohol, so I did and the towell was filthy black when I was finished cleaning it, and the ball's cover felt tacky. (Just Curious). I also used this best shot cleaner that says it good on all balls after about 9 games, and It made the cover clean but the towell was not dirty from the ball like with alcohol. My coach also said after every month to use acetone, but someone on another site said it was illegal.
:confused: So I'm confused??? :confused:
I bought some Ebonite Powerhouse Energizer Cleaner. How often should I use it? Will it replace using acetone, and alcohol??? Thanks...

(P.S.- I do not want to put the ball in the bath tub, dishwasher, or oven!!!)

I asked Brian Graham and he said use Powerhouse Energizer immediatly after every use...

[boston_represent]

I use methylated spirits to clean my polyester ball, but I won't use it on my particle/reactive balls. It doesn't feel right and it just drags along the surface. The oil lines don't disappear. For me, the best way is to vigorously rub it with a 100% cotton towel. It takes a while but it eventually looks spotless.

[Pincrusher]

I use methylated spirits to clean my polyester ball, but I won't use it on my particle/reactive balls. It doesn't feel right and it just drags along the surface. The oil lines don't disappear. For me, the best way is to vigorously rub it with a 100% cotton towel. It takes a while but it eventually looks spotless.

I do that also, but is doesn't deep clean the ball does it??? :)

[boston_represent]

I do that also, but is doesn't deep clean the ball does it??? :)

Yes, you're right. I'm not up to that stage yet as I've only had reactive/particle balls for a month. Yes I know I'm a baby with plenty to learn.:o I was recently told by a professional to submerge the ball in a bathtub of hot water, and this will extract the oil to the surface. I was told this was the safest way to rejuvenate a ball. Sounded crazy to me, but then placing the ball in an oven sounds even crazier to me!:eek:

[Pincrusher]

Yes, you're right. I'm not up to that stage yet as I've only had reactive/particle balls for a month. Yes I know I'm a baby with plenty to learn.:o I was recently told by a professional to submerge the ball in a bathtub of hot water, and this will extract the oil to the surface. I was told this was the safest way to rejuvenate a ball. Sounded crazy to me, but then placing the ball in an oven sounds even crazier to me!:eek:


Yeah same here! The ball is not a meal that needs to be cooked, or a dog that needs to take a bath!!! :D Anyways I just use either Powerhouse Energizer cleaner. Brian Graham said to use it after every use. One person said alcohol is bad for the cover but it does take alot of dirt and oil off the ball. To be safe I will just use my Powerhouse. (Goodness knows that Powerhouse costs less than a new Ball :cool: )

[boston_represent]

Yeah same here! The ball is not a meal that needs to be cooked, or a dog that needs to take a bath!!! :D Anyways I just use either Powerhouse Energizer cleaner. Brian Graham said to use it after every use. One person said alcohol is bad for the cover but it does take alot of dirt and oil off the ball. To be safe I will just use my Powerhouse. (Goodness knows that Powerhouse costs less than a new Ball :cool: )

Interesting, looks like I'll have to invest in some cleaner too. You learn something new everyday. :)

You've probably been asked this a million times but how long do your balls usually last or how many games do you approx. get out of them? I'm told that lanes in U.S have much heavier conditions so I guess you get far more oil absorption. One customer I met in a pro shop I spoke to changes balls every 6 months which I found surprising. He said he never plugs and re-drills a ball because it is a waste of time and the ball will never be the same. He just tosses the ball away and gets a new one. I guess he can afford to do that because he gets wholesale prices from a distributor in San Fransisco. I was going to order a ball from the U.S but it was going to cost US$150 for delivery via UPS Worldwide Express! :eek: pfft to hell with that. It's better to know the right people.

[Pincrusher]

Interesting, looks like I'll have to invest in some cleaner too. You learn something new everyday. :)

You've probably been asked this a million times but how long do your balls usually last or how many games do you approx. get out of them? I'm told that lanes in U.S have much heavier conditions so I guess you get far more oil absorption. One customer I met in a pro shop I spoke to changes balls every 6 months which I found surprising. He said he never plugs and re-drills a ball because it is a waste of time and the ball will never be the same. He just tosses the ball away and gets a new one. I guess he can afford to do that because he buys gets wholesale prices from a distributor in San Fransisco. I was going to order a ball from the U.S but it was going to cost US$150 for delivery via UPS Worldwide Express! :eek: pfft to hell with that. It's better to know the right people.

Wow!!! I got my Hawg Wild on ebay $113 whick included shipping and the Ball. The drill was $20 (My coach gave me a break). About the ball lasting, I have no clue but I'm sure the more you clean it (Not over cleaning it) the longer it will last. I have a old Blue Hammer Urethane from the late seventies and I still use it and it still hits and hooks like a Hammer :D


And also, Welcome to the Family!!! I'm glad to have you as a new member! What does your arsenal consist of???

[BigDog]

Yes, you're right. I'm not up to that stage yet as I've only had reactive/particle balls for a month. Yes I know I'm a baby with plenty to learn.:o I was recently told by a professional to submerge the ball in a bathtub of hot water, and this will extract the oil to the surface. I was told this was the safest way to rejuvenate a ball. Sounded crazy to me, but then placing the ball in an oven sounds even crazier to me!:eek:

There are two methods that I use to extract oil from my reactive/particle equipment (I used these suucessfully on my Big Block recently):


Give the ball a suntan. Set the ball out in the summer sun for about an hour or so, and use your favorite cleaner to take the oil off. Rotate the ball 180 degrees, and repeat the procedure. You'll be suprised how much oil will bleed from the ball.
Give the ball a bath in HOT water and Dawn. It sounds crazier than the suntan, but it removed the oil that was left on the ball. Put your bowling ball in a car wash bucket, immurse it about 1/3 up the ball with Hot tap water (about 120 degrees for us with the baby and all) and Dawn dishwashing detergent. I then boiled two pots of water and dumped them into the bucket. I let it soak the oil out of the ball for about an hour


By the time I finished with the second bath, there was no oil on the ball. After I got my ball resurfaced and polished, it started acting like new again.

I cleaned my Big Block after about 120 games I'd guess.

I also gave my Vibe (about 40 games) a suntan, and got the oil out of it. I'll probably reserve bathing my bowling balls for resurface time, but I hear that it is safe and effective.

Never put a ball in the oven. That's asking for trouble. I've heard too many stories (mostl bad) about that.

[Pincrusher]

There are two methods that I use to extract oil from my reactive/particle equipment (I used these suucessfully on my Big Block recently):


Give the ball a suntan. Set the ball out in the summer sun for about an hour or so, and use your favorite cleaner to take the oil off. Rotate the ball 180 degrees, and repeat the procedure. You'll be suprised how much oil will bleed from the ball.
Give the ball a bath in HOT water and Dawn. It sounds crazier than the suntan, but it removed the oil that was left on the ball. Put your bowling ball in a car wash bucket, immurse it about 1/3 up the ball with Hot tap water (about 120 degrees for us with the baby and all) and Dawn dishwashing detergent. I then boiled two pots of water and dumped them into the bucket. I let it soak the oil out of the ball for about an hour


By the time I finished with the second bath, there was no oil on the ball. After I got my ball resurfaced and polished, it started acting like new again.

I cleaned my Big Block after about 120 games I'd guess.

I also gave my Vibe (about 40 games) a suntan, and got the oil out of it. I'll probably reserve bathing my bowling balls for resurface time, but I hear that it is safe and effective.

Never put a ball in the oven. That's asking for trouble. I've heard too many stories (mostl bad) about that.

Now I have sunbaked a ball and it really works. When your put it in water, what do you do with the holes???

[boston_represent]

Wow!!! I got my Hawg Wild on ebay $113 whick included shipping and the Ball. The drill was $20 (My coach gave me a break). About the ball lasting, I have no clue but I'm sure the more you clean it (Not over cleaning it) the longer it will last. I have a old Blue Hammer Urethane from the late seventies and I still use it and it still hits and hooks like a Hammer :D


And also, Welcome to the Family!!! I'm glad to have you as a new member! What does your arsenal consist of???

Thanks for having me! It's great to be here. If only you knew how expensive bowling is in Australia. For the average Joe off the street, 3 games of bowling including shoe hire can cost up to US$22.23! :eek: I bet that sends shockwaves through your spine! If you think that's bad, your Hawg Wild would cost me including delivery and drilling, wait for it.................. US$266.75! :eek: I can hear all the Americans here choking on their Denver omlettes! hehehe

As you know, I'm very new to the bowling, but I'm starting to build a bit of an arsenal to combat all lane conditions. This is what I have so far....

Ebonite Maxim Captain Cool 12lbs
Storm X Factor Trifecta 15lbs
Storm Eraser Screamin' Banshee 15lbs
Track Solution Power Plus 15lbs
Track Arsenal Angular 15lbs

Unfortunately, Hammer products are scarce in most pro shops I have seen. Instead, they have loads of ugly looking Brunswick, Columbia 300, and Dyno-Thane balls on display! :(

I am currently waiting on a wholesale price for a Roto Grip Epic Battle. I have also been offered a 1 month old RS-X at a great price, but I don't really want to have to plug and re-drill such a new ball.

[BigDog]

Now I have sunbaked a ball and it really works. When your put it in water, what do you do with the holes???

I took paper towels, rolled them up, and put them in the holes for about 2 hours after each bath to 'wick' the water out. I use thumbslugs and grips, and didn't have any problems.. That's why I reserve the bath for prepping for a resurface.

[Pincrusher]

I took paper towels, rolled them up, and put them in the holes for about 2 hours after each bath to 'wick' the water out. I use thumbslugs and grips, and didn't have any problems.. That's why I reserve the bath for prepping for a resurface.

Interesting......I think I will stick with Powerhouse ;)

[Pincrusher]

It's a pity that it cost so much :( I wouch love to visit the aussie land one day! Maybe one day I could (In many many years...) smuggle you a new Hammer ball on the airplane ;). But anyways your arsenal sounds great! :)

[Hammerpower]

That alcohol smears the oil around and actually cloggs the pores more than pulling the oil out.

I have watched as many a bowler has used alcohol on thier ball after every set and then the ball dies after 60 games. Hmm.....got to be something to that.
I wanted to know what you mean by the ball dying after 60 games if you mean it stops hooking I have used alcohol and the power house cleaner on my ball after every set for a year and a half it still hooks like it did out of the box and I have over 125 games on it putting more on it every week. I don't want to ruin my ball so any thoughts on this is appreciated.

[Sin City Hammer]

It's a pity that it cost so much :( I wouch love to visit the aussie land one day! Maybe one day I could (In many many years...) smuggle you a new Hammer ball on the airplane ;). But anyways your arsenal sounds great! :)

All it would take is a momma roo, and since she has deep pockets you can smuggle more than one ball for the mate.

Aussie Aussie Aussie!!!!

[boston_represent]

Yes, that's a great idea. Smuggle me a Hammer bowling ball in a kangaroo!

Go the Aussies! We beat Japan in the World Cup last night 3-1. Serves them right for calling the Australians "dirty players!"

Sorry, I know that was off the topic, but I'm just so excited! :D

[Pincrusher]

Yes, that's a great idea. Smuggle me a Hammer bowling ball in a kangaroo!

Go the Aussies! We beat Japan in the World Cup last night 3-1. Serves them right for calling the Australians "dirty players!"

Sorry, I know that was off the topic, but I'm just so excited! :D

Congrads!!!

[mr4e]

i clean my ball with metho after each time i use it, i.e after a league night or after a practise session, im not sure whether or not polishing it after each 3 games is a little over doing it though... btw alchohol is not a bad thing it comes down to the brand name for all some know, the ebonite cleaner is pretty much the same thing with additives, i garauntee if you emptied one of the ebonite cleaner bottles and filled it with metho or alchohol you wouldnt know the difference, unless u knew it was alcho inside the bottle...

[Sin City Hammer]

I've seen people use jack daniels and wild turkey to clean their balls, I've asked is it worth passing on a next morning hangover just to use them on the balls? And the 3 people who do this say yes it is, and claim it also makes the other team loose their focus because of the smell is still there when they bowl.

All I know is, "if you use anything 80% proof or higher alcholol to clean your bowling balls, you might be a redneck." Where's jeff foxworthy when you need him?

[jayps]

ummmm.... so is alcohol a bad or a good thing??? or is it gonna come down to preference?? the last thing i want to do is ruin a ball, especially a hammer ball.... :)

[mr4e]

ok well honestly it all comes down to preference i think because a ball's coverstock is going to wear down after using any cleaner for a while purely because it gets old, there is nothing in life that lasts forever really... but yeh has anyone heard of that 'hook again centre' idea, i used the one at our proshop the other day and then bowled it straight out of the thing, i shot off the top of my head i think 245, i only bowled one game, but yeh i think its's amazing, any one else used it and what are your oppinions???
thnx

[Sin City Hammer]

It basically comes down to you and how often you want to take care of your equipment. Some people I know clean once a month, while other clean once a week. I perfer to clean after I get done bowling, so that I can be ready for the next week and also go over mistakes that I made during the series and go practice on them during the week.

[mr4e]

yeh that is pretty much how often i clean my bowling balls, i use a metho/water solution after every series so im ready if i want to perhaps practice the next day to go over different mistakes and what not, i even go to the trouble of putting it in the hook again centre once a month, great way to keep your ball hooking and hitting to its best...

[hammerfan]

Recently,at nationals, I talked to the Hammer vendor about ball cleaners.I have both the No Mercy and Black Widow.He said that the use of alcohol,acetone and non-acetone cleaners,legal or illegal,on the balls,actually heats up the surface and melts the pores together rendering the ball just about worthless.I use Ebonite Powerhouse Energizer Ball Cleaner. Hope this helps

Alcohol-legal
Acetone-never legal
Non-Acetone-not legal because none has been tested,and approved, as of 2006-2007 season.USBC rules (I considered it a gray area til nationals)

[No Mercy07]

I was talking to my coach about this the other day and he told me to use 409(the Cleaning stuff) about once a week.. I did, im amazed on how it cleaned the ball, and it drew the oil out of the ball better than anything I ever seen...

My No Mercy was tackier then , than what it was when i first bought it

[Quest36X]

Stop using household cleaners if you expect your bowling balls to work for a long period of time.

Household cleaners contain soap. You don't want soap in the pores of your bowling balls....Simple as that. If I can find the article again, I'll post it (from Ebonite about the damage that can be done to pores with household cleaners).

Sure they seem like they work at first, but your ball WILL lose performance and quickly.

[No Mercy07]

I havent found anythign about not using 409, and I think this guy knows what hes talking about... Hes been using it for years and never had a rpoblem outta it

[Quest36X]

Ball performance suffers, simple as that. Do the pros use 409? Don't you think if household cleaners worked as well as you think they do, wouldn't ball companies save their money on R & D for ball cleaners? Just because one person hasn't NOTICED a difference, doesn't mean damage hasn't occured.

Ebonite has done the research, and I'm looking for it...

[No Mercy07]

Mybe the pros have more money and can afford/get free ball cleaners

Unlike I who has to pay for everything...

Ive been looking also, and I havent found a single thing...

IM not saying im right or wrong, im just saying that I trust this guy..

Hes only raised my average 20 pins in 4 weeks

:)

[Quest36X]

I just want to inform you that continuous use of household cleaners will (in the long term) affect your bowling ball. Honestly you can clean your bowling ball using just water and some elbow grease, but what's cheaper than that?

[No Mercy07]

Well, it might. And until I see some proof, I will continue to use...

Right now it only helping...

Yes I know im very stubborn

[No Mercy07]

But thanks for your concern...

[mongoliantreesloth]

I reckon just drink the alcohol then you wont worry so much about the balls ;)

[slap]

I've heard of people using a 1:1 dilution of Simple Green but never full strength cleaner. Are you diluting the 409?

I'm with Quest, a large bottle of cleaner is sllightly over $20. That should last an average bowler at least a year. I'm not rich but $20 per year isn't very much. Heck I've spent that on one bottle of beer...

[BradM]

Dang, I thought this post was going to be right up my alley then I read that the original poster was Pincrusher.:eek:

Well, anyway don't use alcohol on your ball.

[Paul1979]

Thanks for having me! It's great to be here. If only you knew how expensive bowling is in Australia. For the average Joe off the street, 3 games of bowling including shoe hire can cost up to US$22.23! :eek: I bet that sends shockwaves through your spine! If you think that's bad, your Hawg Wild would cost me including delivery and drilling, wait for it.................. US$266.75! :eek: I can hear all the Americans here choking on their Denver omlettes! hehehe

As you know, I'm very new to the bowling, but I'm starting to build a bit of an arsenal to combat all lane conditions. This is what I have so far....

Ebonite Maxim Captain Cool 12lbs
Storm X Factor Trifecta 15lbs
Storm Eraser Screamin' Banshee 15lbs
Track Solution Power Plus 15lbs
Track Arsenal Angular 15lbs

Unfortunately, Hammer products are scarce in most pro shops I have seen. Instead, they have loads of ugly looking Brunswick, Columbia 300, and Dyno-Thane balls on display! :(

I am currently waiting on a wholesale price for a Roto Grip Epic Battle. I have also been offered a 1 month old RS-X at a great price, but I don't really want to have to plug and re-drill such a new ball.

Whats that about £130?

Thats not much compared to here. The average mid range ball is £140-£150 and the top of the range ones are about £200. So thats $400!!!!!

[can-ham]

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/10/50/23415010.jpg

Good article on ball cleaning for newbies! (http://www.bowlersparadise.com/shop/balls/faq/cgi-bin/smartfaq.cgi?subject=1021890477)

[Sin City Hammer]

I think we should just give all the alcohol in form of budweiser to the Rowdy 1, and use the cleaning solutions for the balls.

[Rowdy]

WHOO HOOO!!!!! Free alcohol!!!!! I feel better than Homer Simpson after a case of Duffs!!!
Seriously,don't EVER use anything other than hot water,a smidge of Dawn is okay,Hook Again,Powerhouse or the oven on LOW to remove oil from a ball. With the oven,stick a TON of paper towels under the ball to pick up the oil and remember to let the ball cool off IN THE OVEN! NEVER take a ball out of the oven while it's still hot. Air conditioning will cool the ball too fast,leading to all sorts of problems you don't want! Just turn the oven off and come back after a while. Oh when you turn the oven off,put fresh paper towels under the ball so the ball doesn't soak the oil back into the bottom of it.BTW-you can also put the ball in a bucket of kitty litter in a warm location for a couple of days.Works like a charm and NO ball damage to worry about at all!

[NeoWidow18]

Well then what in the hell do I use to clean my bule dot?

[mongoliantreesloth]

Soap and water. Dead easy.

[Rowdy]

Oh,we were talking about porous balls. For plastic balls you can use alcohol with no problems at all. Sorry about that. My bad.