Bowling Ball Maintenance [Clean & Resurface]

Maintaining your bowling ball can help you have the greatest experience possible when you hit the alleys. It will make your balls last longer without sacrificing performance. This post covers all the maintenance tips and tricks you need to keep your bowling balls in top condition.

If you have been blowing strikes in your last few bowling games and want to ensure your ball will stay in top condition for future games, you need to know the basics of bowling ball maintenance. If your ball isn't properly maintained, you might notice that it no longer spins as quickly or accurately as it once did. Additionally, the ball can begin to wiggle or wobble, which would lower your game score. So, you might be wondering how to keep a bowling ball the best. To keep your bowling ball in top condition for many years to come, this article will explain the fundamentals of bowling ball maintenance, including cleaning and resurfacing. Learn more by reading on!

---

How To Clean Your Bowling Ball

The best way to extend your bowling ball's life is to clean it regularly. It's simple, and you probably already have everything you need lying around the house or at the local bowling alley. To properly clean your bowling ball, you will need the following:

• Water: Water is important for rinsing off any remaining oil and dirt from the ball. Once you are done cleaning the ball with alcohol and a microfiber cloth, rinse it off with water to ensure it is completely clean.
• Alcohol: Alcohol is essential for cleaning the oil that has built up on the surface of your bowling ball from the lanes. Alcohol is the most effective cleaning agent for removing the oil as it breaks down the oil without damaging the ball's coverstock.
• Microfiber Cloth: A microfiber cloth helps wipe down the ball's surface after you have cleaned it with alcohol. Microfiber works better than other pieces of cloth because it is soft and nonabrasive so it won't scratch the ball's surface. Additionally,  it can absorb oil, dirt, and debris.

Once you have all the above supplies, you can follow the the following steps to clean the ball.

1. Using alcohol and a microfiber cloth, clean the surface of the ball.
2. Use water to clean off the excess alcohol and oil.
3. Use the microfiber cloth to dry the ball.

The performance of your bowling ball will be maintained, and it will last for many years if you follow these instructions.

Pro Tip: If alcohol is not available, routinely clean your bowling ball with a cleaner made specifically for bowling balls.

---

Getting Your Ball Professionally Cleaned

You can take your ball to a professional cleaner to have it cleaned if you want to avoid handling the cleaning yourself. Having your ball professionally cleaned has many benefits, including thorough cleaning and lengthening the life of the ball. The outcome will be superior to any way of cleaning used at home. Numerous cleaning companies offer a full service that involves inspecting the ball as well as washing, buffing, and polishing. Most big cities and nearby bowling lanes have professional ball cleaners. Additionally, the service is reasonably priced ($5 – $15). A professional cleaner will examine your ball for any indications of damage, such as cracks or nicks, when you bring it to them. This makes maintenance simple because you can keep the ball from suffering additional harm and save money.

---

Getting Your Ball Resurfaced

As you get your ball professionally cleaned, you might also want to get your ball resurfaced. Resurfacing is the process of sanding and polishing the ball to a smooth finish and removing any surface flaws. The following are some of the costs that come with resurfacing a ball:

• Spinner cleaning: Used to remove dirt, oil, and grime deep within the ball. It is an essential step in resurfacing a bowling ball and costs around $12.
• Spinner adjustments: Used to mitigate nicks, bumps, dents, and scratches. This crucial step will make the ball look and perform better. Typically it costs around $5.
• Deep resurfacing: This is a more aggressive process that removes deeper scratches and nicks. The service typically costs around $30- $40

Ball resurfacing is important in keeping your bowling ball in optimal condition. Always make sure you have your ball professionally resurfaced to ensure top performance and long life.

---

Why Proper Maintenance Is Important

Maintenance of your bowling ball is a crucial part of your success in the game. If you do not properly maintain your bowling ball, it could lead to a decrease in performance or even damage to the ball. This could, in turn, lead to higher costs with repairs or replacement bowling balls. The following are some of the reasons why  proper maintenance of your bowling ball is important:

• Better performance: Keeping your bowling ball in top condition is the key to maximizing its potential. This can boost your performance and increase your odds of success.
• Increased lifespan: Proper maintenance can extend the life of a bowling ball. You won't need to replace your bowling balls as often, which will help you save money over time.
• Avoid damage: A damaged bowling ball is the result of poor maintenance. This can occur if the ball isn't checked for wear and tear regularly, is stored incorrectly, or is neglected to be cleaned and polished.

Keeping your bowling ball in good condition is crucial to its continued performance and longevity. Taking the time to clean and preserve your ball correctly can save you money in the long run and ensure that it performs to its full potential.

---

How to choose a bowling ball cleaner

There are several factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right bowling ball cleaner. Some of these include:

1. Types of bowling ball cleaner

There are two main types of bowling ball cleaners. They include:

• Solvent-based cleaners: These are usually harsh on the coverstock and are best suited for removing oil and dirt. They are mostly used by pro bowlers who often use urethane bowling balls.
• Water-based cleaners: They are ideally suited for use by novice bowlers. They are usually less harsh on the coverstock and as such, do not present a risk of damage to the bowling ball.

2. Price of the bowling ball cleaner

When shopping for a bowling ball cleaner, you want to get the best deal at the least price. Here’s what you need to know. Solvent-based cleaners are more expensive than water-based cleaners.

3. Package size of the cleaner

The size of a bowling ball cleaner depends on the brand. However, it’s worth noting that cleaners packaged in small bottles are more portable compared to cleaners in large bottles. Cleaners in large bottles may be used to clean multiple bowling balls.

Pro Tip!

Bowling balls must never be cleaned using a regular household cleaner because of the risk of damaging the coverstock.

---

Final Thoughts

Bowling balls need regular maintenance to keep them in good shape. Maintenance for a bowling ball mostly consists of washing and resurfacing the ball. You may do this on your own, or you can take it to a bowling alley and have a pro do it. As a rule of thumb, always clean your ball after each game, and resurface it every few months.