Easiest and safest way to get oil out of your bowling ball? [Archive]

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joebowl

I just invested a lot of money into two bowling balls (DV8, White Dot Plastic). I want to maintain the integrity of the ball. Somebody told me I should deep clean my ball every 60 games. Is that true?

Can someone explain the best way to deep clean your bowling ball and how often?

Thanks
Joebowl

JerseyJim

Joe, I usually don't bother deep cleaning my White Dot. I do clean it after bowling with a good cleaner though. My high-end equipment I tend to deep-clean once during the middle of the season, and once at the end of the season. I use the Dawn and hot water method. Here are the steps:

1 Cover all of the holes with tape, I usually use small pieces of duct tape.

2 Fill a large bucket with hot water. (I wouldn't use anything above 120 deqrees.)

3 Place the bowling ball in the bucket and make sure it is completely covered with water.

4 Add 3 tsp. of Dawn dish detergent and mix it with the hot water in the bucket.

5 Use your hands to rub the dish detergent all over the bowling ball.

6 Let the bowling ball sit in the bucket for 3 to 4 minutes.

7 Use a towel to wipe down the bowling ball while it is still under water.

8 Take the bowling ball out of the bucket and rinse it under your faucet with hot tap water.

9 Fill a second bucket with hot water and place the bowling ball back in it. You may see a soapy film in the water. This means there is still some soap left on the bowling ball. You will need to rinse it off again and stick it in a new bucket of hot water. When you no longer see the soapy film, the bowling ball is clean.

One other thing, since the coverstock is porous the ball will absorb some water. Give it a couple of days for it to dry completely. I've been toying with the idea of placing the ball into an absorbent powder to wick out the moisture after washing my balls.

joebowl

Thanks Jersey Jim,

I have heard that exact way of cleaning except the person doesn't use the dawn. Does the dawn draw out the oil from the ball? Or does it keep the oil away from the ball once it's out? Also, do you agree with the 60 games theory?

Ok, this sounds like a winner method.

bowl1820

The Soap (dawn) basically suspends the oil(acts as a emulsifier) in such a way, as to make it easier for the water to wash it away.

The 60 games theory is a basic rule of thumb, a lot would depend on the amount oil you bowl on. If you played on heavy oil all the time, you might do it more often. If your on light oil most of the time, you could wait longer.

When cleaning a ball, the most important time is after bowling. Use a clean towel and some ball cleaner. That will do more for keeping the coverstock free of excess oil absorption than anything. Your not giving the oil a chance to soak in.

Now a lot of bowlers consider a "deep cleaning", the use of a ball cleaner thats known for penetrating the pores to remove some soaked in oil and impacted grime.( such as Clean'N Dull and a couple of others) After so many games.

Then after a period of time they would do a oil extraction. The "Hot water & Dawn" is one method of oil extraction method, there are others. The "HW & D" is the simplest at home method.

bowl1820

Also heres one of the original methods for the Hot Water & Dawn method from MoRich.

Have the ball wet sanded to about 400-grit to open the cover's pores.

Fill a tub or bucket with hot tap water so that it just covers the submerged ball.

Dip the ball in the water and when you remove it notice how the water is being repelled by the oil.

Squirt about 2-3 teaspoons of Dawn dish detergent (the foamy version lathers and extracts dirt and grime the best) on the ball cover and literally massage it into the coverstock.

Place the ball back in the water and let it set for a few minutes.

Rub the surface while under water with a clean towel.

Remove the ball from the soapy water and rinse it with hot water.

Rinse the tub (or bucket) clean and refill it with hot water (no soap).

Place the ball back in the water and rub it again with a clean cloth.
* You will probably notice that a soapy film will appear in the water.
* This is residue that was trapped in the coverstock (much like the oil and dirt was) and the cloth is helping to remove it from the surface.

Repeat steps 5 through 9 until no soapy residue remains,
* This make 2 or 3 times to achieve, depending upon the amount of soap that was used.
* You don't want to use too much soap, but you need enough to cut through the oil and dirt.

After the soap has been completely removed from the coverstock, towel dry it, and allow the ball to further air dry at room temperature.

Have the ball wet sanded with 400-grit paper and then follow the steps to bring it back to its factory finish.

runkle

I always keep a bottle ofTac Up Bowling Ball Cleaner in my bowling bag, I find that our local lane oils very often and this makes sure that I quickly clean off the excess oil before going back into my bag. I also keep 2 towels in my bag, one to wipe the cleaner and oil off and one just for a quick wipe, try not to mix these up, as you don't want to rub the excess cleaner and oil back onto your ball during play.

chrono00

make sure you clean your towel every few weeks too. I have wto microfiber towels. I only play league once a week, and sometimes go practice one other day. but if I fill a bowl up with hot water, dawn, and lysol or something else that cuts grease and soak my towel in it, the water comes out black after like 15 minutes.

TheJourney

make sure you clean your towel every few weeks too. I have wto microfiber towels. I only play league once a week, and sometimes go practice one other day. but if I fill a bowl up with hot water, dawn, and lysol or something else that cuts grease and soak my towel in it, the water comes out black after like 15 minutes.

Good point, it is easy to remind yourself to clean your bowling balls every 50-60 games but it is easier to forget to clean towels. I'll have to do that sometime soon as I'm sure mine won't be pretty at all!

chrono00

Good point, it is easy to remind yourself to clean your bowling balls every 50-60 games but it is easier to forget to clean towels. I'll have to do that sometime soon as I'm sure mine won't be pretty at all!

yea you'd be surprised how much oil those microfiber towels will have in them after just a few weeks. and if they are saaturated like that, how much can they be doing when your using it on your ball in between frames

striker12

the journey yeah lots of people do forget to clean the towels but not the balls so a good way to remember alwasy have 2 towlers in your bowling bag 1 the main one you use and the 2nd one for backup if the main one gets to dirty soo then u can switch out and u will remember that night or a couple days later u need to wash it and if you forge tu got the backup one.

so like keep like the main one at the top of your bag or where u put it and put the clean one in another pouch that has nothing in it, it helps alot soo u dont have to clean you ball with a dirty towel

bowl1820

make sure you clean your towel every few weeks too. I have wto microfiber towels. I only play league once a week, and sometimes go practice one other day. but if I fill a bowl up with hot water, dawn, and lysol or something else that cuts grease and soak my towel in it, the water comes out black after like 15 minutes.

Great tip! Also remember if you put your microfiber towels in the dryer, don't put any fabric softener in with them.

HunterRunsIt

I'm not too sure, I just take my equipment to my local pro shop and he does it for about 5$

chrono00

Great tip! Also remember if you put your microfiber towels in the dryer, don't put any fabric softener in with them.

I just let it hang and air dry. maybe turn a fan on directed at it and it's fine

mojojojo

whenever i do this, the duct tape doesn't seem to keep the water out of the holes. any sugguestions?

chrono00

whenever i do this, the duct tape doesn't seem to keep the water out of the holes. any sugguestions?

I seem to have that problem too. it's really not THAT big of a deal though. just sit the ball with the finger holes facing down and gravity takes care of the majority of the water. a little blowing in them, and then just let it sit. as long as your not bowling that day with the ball it shouldn't be a big deal

x-mantwohand

i put mine in the oven on 175 for about 20 minutes. get rubbing alcohol, lots of oil will come out, rub the alcohol on the ball with a towel

bowl1820

i put mine in the oven on 175 for about 20 minutes. get rubbing alcohol, lots of oil will come out, rub the alcohol on the ball with a towel

That's a disaster waiting to happen!

That temperature is way too high and you shouldn't bake one in the oven in the first place.

Here's what happens!!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/aloarjr810/bowlingxtras/ovenbake_ball.jpg

chrono00

That's a disaster waiting to happen!

That temperature is way too high and you shouldn't bake one in the oven in the first place.

]

yea you really should be careful about that. I wouldn't totally say no to doing it, but I wouldn't go over 150 in a regular oven, and still check it every few minutes

striker12

if i was going to do my ball in the oven then i would only do it at 50 degrees no higher and every like every 3-5minutes then circles the ball keep every part of the ball even then take it out for about 2hrs then put back in for abit

aussiedave

if i was going to do my ball in the oven then i would only do it at 50 degrees no higher and every like every 3-5minutes then circles the ball keep every part of the ball even then take it out for about 2hrs then put back in for abit
Would anyone recommend putting a urethane ball in direct Texas sunlight? That will definitely heat it up.
If so, for how long, and what should one look for and do after it has been out there long enough?
ad.

e-tank

Would anyone recommend putting a urethane ball in direct Texas sunlight? That will definitely heat it up.
If so, for how long, and what should one look for and do after it has been out there long enough?
ad.

I heard direct sunlight is bad for a ball. What i would do is put it in a box out in the sun. That should heat it up nicely!

aussiedave

I heard direct sunlight is bad for a ball. What i would do is put it in a box out in the sun. That should heat it up nicely!
Thanks e-tank.
I have an old zippered vinyl bowlingball bag that should do the trick too - it has a little wire harness inside to hold it off the floor so might give that a go.
ad.

billf

Safest and easiest: go to your local auto parts store and buy a bag of oil dry. It looks like cat litter. Submerge the ball in the bag for a day or two. Simple, easy and safe.

dnhoffman

I bought a Nesco food dehydrator from Bed Bath and Beyond ($55 with 20% coupons that arrive for the wife every week...) and ordered 4 tray inserts for it (another $28 off Amazon.com) and took some sheers and cut out the plastic middle of all the trays, put a ball cup on bottom, and boom - bowling ball de-oiler.

Just wipe and rotate every twenty minutes or so at 130 degrees.

bowl1820

I bought a Nesco food dehydrator from Bed Bath and Beyond ($55 with 20% coupons that arrive for the wife every week...) and ordered 4 tray inserts for it (another $28 off Amazon.com) and took some sheers and cut out the plastic middle of all the trays, put a ball cup on bottom, and boom - bowling ball de-oiler.

Just wipe and rotate every twenty minutes or so at 130 degrees.

There was no need to cut up the trays. You just had to set the ball cup on the lowest tray and then set a plastic five gallon bucket over it (or similar item). Thats what I did.

dnhoffman

There was no need to cut up the trays. You just had to set the ball cup on the lowest tray and then set a plastic five gallon bucket over it (or similar item). Thats what I did.


Buckets don't fit, the lip needs to be wider than the edges of the dehydrator lid - there's a giant thread from two or three of us doing this over at the BBE forums.

One guy used a giant tub and cut the dehydrator lid into fit with a bucket inside to hold the balls and another guy did it with no bucket.

I chose to order extra trays and cut out the middle because this lets the air intake heat it and send the air down the sides of the trays (like the dehydrator is designed for) and back out up the middle like it is supposed to work and thereby circulating the air better.

bowl1820

Here's a pic of mine, does a pretty good job.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/aloarjr810/bowlingxtras/ballrejuv_01.jpg

e-tank

^ im pretty sure this is gonna be my upgrade from the the cardboard box and hair dryer

Gunz1911

^ im pretty sure this is gonna be my upgrade from the the cardboard box and hair dryer


Agreed. I use my wifes hair dryer right now and the only way to get it hot enough is to put it on full blast. which then is REEAALLLLYYYY annoying. Going to go and check this out. Just have to convince the old lady that I need a dehydrator and not say what for!

Any problems with the ball getting to hot while using one of these??

Perrin

remind me to never get beef Jerky from you guys :D


pepper jerky with a hint of lane oil :rolleyes:

dnhoffman

Here's a picture of the extra tray version

e-tank

is this the correct one (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14099344)?

also does it need to be that one or just any round food dehydrator?

DLP

Wow! And here I had bought a food dehydrator a few years ago and never used it.... Looks like I need to dust off the box and give it a go :D

Also - aromatherapy for the bowler's soul :)

dnhoffman

is this the correct one (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14099344)?

also does it need to be that one or just any round food dehydrator?

That's the one. Model FD-61

It doesn't have to be anything in particular but the nice thing about that one is the heat circulation down the sides and the temp. gauge.

Buy that, and two sets of tray inserts (4 extra trays total) and you're done. Just clip the centers out of them and but a ball cup at the bottom.

I would take a couple of thermometers and check the internal temperature periodically to make sure the gauge is correct. I've read others say theirs were +/- 20-30 degrees depending on the unit so it's important to know where yours stands.

Go look at the Nuball products website and tell me it doesn't look just like this with a modified solid center piece.

Aslan

whenever i do this, the duct tape doesn't seem to keep the water out of the holes. any sugguestions?

The first time I soaked mine in the bathtub with dish soap, I tried to keep the finger holes above the water line...and I soaked it for about 20 minutes. However, the second time, I just submerged the entire thing and kept it in there even longer, probably 30-35 minutes. I was worried it would mess with the finger inserts, but nothing.

I then use a Simple Green/Vodka solution in a spray bottle to clean it...I use a 1000 grit wet sandpaper just to kinda scuff it up a little by hand...then use the solution again and good to go.

I wouldn't be brave enough to do the oven. My pro shop can oven and re-buff for like $40. Kinda pricey, but I'll probably have it done next month and see if it's worth it.

Also, after each 2 series...I wipe the ball with an alcohol wipe (I've amassed a ton of them from rib and chicken joints)...and of course, even though it doesn't seem as effective as with the urethane/plastic balls...I use the towel after each frame.

Zaxmazr

I used to set mine by the fire and watch the oil sweat out!

Mudpuppy

I am definitely skeptical about any method that applies heat to the ball - oven or dehydrator. Understanding the material science of the compounds in the ball and the theory of thermal expansion and contraction it seems like a very bad idea to me unless you have a very controlled environment and know exactly what you are doing. I never leave my ball in the car because of the changes of temperature in summer and winter. Just a bad idea. I have seen people that leave the ball in their car in winter go throw the first practice shot and have the ball crack. The dawn dish soap method is a little intriguing to me. Just not sold on it. Does it make a huge difference? Also to me seems like a bad idea to soak your ball in water.

dnhoffman

Well, the food dehydrator is still kicking a&@ mad taking oil....

I do a bunch of people from my leagues gear now too. Best 80 bucks and 30 minutes ever.

Zaxmazr

Using a food dehydrator...interesting. Video of you using it?

e-tank

I am definitely skeptical about any method that applies heat to the ball - oven or dehydrator. Understanding the material science of the compounds in the ball and the theory of thermal expansion and contraction it seems like a very bad idea to me unless you have a very controlled environment and know exactly what you are doing. I never leave my ball in the car because of the changes of temperature in summer and winter. Just a bad idea. I have seen people that leave the ball in their car in winter go throw the first practice shot and have the ball crack. The dawn dish soap method is a little intriguing to me. Just not sold on it. Does it make a huge difference? Also to me seems like a bad idea to soak your ball in water.

ive never had any problems using a cardboard box and a hair dryer. The bath method never worked for me personally which is why i moved to the hair dryer. I agree that leaving the ball in the car is a no no though. Mine are always kept safe and sound with me in my room

Zaxmazr

ive never had any problems using a cardboard box and a hair dryer. The bath method never worked for me personally which is why i moved to the hair dryer. I agree that leaving the ball in the car is a no no though. Mine are always kept safe and sound with me in my room

A hair dryer and cardboard box..hmm..this I have to see lol

Terrier

Just noticed Innovative Bowling cashing in on the food dehydrator idea. Now I'm really going to try it.

From BowlerX:
http://www.bowlerx.com/images/Personal%20Oven%202.jpg

dnhoffman

Ya, we have a long discussion thread on this over at BBE.

This just reinforces my belief that the food dehydrator with expanded trays is the simplest, cheapest, safest way to do this at home.

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