Cleaning the bowling ball

[sideburnz2k3]

I recently purchased a hammer black widow and have been cleaning it after each use with a non-acetone nail polish remover. Tonight i noticed a significant drop in the amount of hook on the back end. Would this have anything to do with the cleaner or just poor bowling???

[VmsTopGun]

check this thread..


http://forums.hammerbowling.com/showthread.php?t=4950

[BubbaRay]

sideburnz: welcome to the messageboard. The best thing to do is clean the ball wil one of the Powerhouse cleaners you could get at the local proshop. I usually wipe mine down after each session with a cleaner or alcohol. How many games do you have on this ball? Maybe it has soaked up too much oil inside the cover and needs a hot water bath. Or it could have been just the condition was alittle different and it wasn't allowing the ball to react as usual. Also check that link out VMS posted.

[sideburnz2k3]

I have about 20 games on the bw so far. I mainly bowl on wood lanes that are dry when i practice and heavily oiled on leagues. Hot water bath?

[VmsTopGun]

here's a thread on hot water baths, there's actually quite a few.

http://forums.hammerbowling.com/showthread.php?t=4200

here's one on using a dishwasher...

http://forums.hammerbowling.com/showthread.php?t=6064&highlight=dishwasher

[TenPinSniper]

At this point you should not be in a need for hot water bath, but it might be worth scuff the ball with a scotch brite (burgandy, green or gray), give it bath. Then take the ball to the proshop and have the surface restored to 4000 Abralon.

The only reason I would recommend a bath, is to clean out the pores of the the bowling ball. The scuffing will open up the pores and taking to the proshop will get a finish finish restored to the ball.

It has been discussed, that use regular *nail polish remover (acetone based)* could melt pores of these high end sponges, I mean bowling balls and ruin them, basically making them straight balls.

What I hope is this will save your ball. While your at the proshop get some Power House Power Wash or Energizer

*** Tip on scuffing use a wet scuff pad, rinse often. and rotate the ball often. ***

[sideburnz2k3]

What do you mean "that use regular could melt pores" Use regular what?

[JoshWithrow]

What do you mean "that use regular could melt pores" Use regular what?

I believe Nail Polish Remover. See the thing is, the ball cleaners are formulated to increase the cleaning of the ball without changing it. Using other materials could render the balls surface different than what it was intended.

[thegoldenchild]

I like to use lacquer thinner :D The smell brings back fond memories and when your hands turn red and start to burn you know the ball is clean. Anyways, sometimes I wish I was still powdercoating.

[JoshWithrow]

I like to use lacquer thinner :D The smell brings back fond memories and when your hands turn red and start to burn you know the ball is clean. Anyways, sometimes I wish I was still powdercoating.

:confused: :eek:

[Rowdy]

I recently purchased a hammer black widow and have been cleaning it after each use with a non-acetone nail polish remover. Tonight i noticed a significant drop in the amount of hook on the back end. Would this have anything to do with the cleaner or just poor bowling???

The "non-acetone",(yeah,right), nail polish remover killed the ball. You now own a spare ball. You could try to resurface the ball but by the time you ground enough coverstock off all you would be left with is a swell duckpin ball.

[Rowdy]

Lacquer thinner and nail polish remover. Are we just talking to ourselves or don't these guys read the instructions??? Hope neither of them smoke....

[thegoldenchild]

I guess the proves the stereotype that hammerhead's cannot pick up on sarcasm. But seriously, real bowling ball cleaner is cheap enough that there's no excuse not to use it.

[sideburnz2k3]

How do you "scuff the ball"?

[JoshWithrow]

How do you "scuff the ball"?

Abralon/Scotchbrite Pads

[Rowdy]

How do you "scuff the ball"?

Pay a Pro Shop to do it for you. Or get a LOT of practice on old bowling balls first.