Posted by QuickReadAbout.com Staff in Whether you’re a long time bowling fanatic, or a newbie just starting out in the game, taking proper care of your equipment – namely, your bowling ball – is an important part of staying on top of your game. Improper care of your bowling ball can lead to bowling performance disasters on the lanes. The proper storage of your ball, plus the proper preparation and cleaning techniques will help keep you bowling strikes every time.
The first important step you have to take is to store your ball correctly. Storing your ball correctly doesn’t mean dumping it in the trunk between games or tossing it into the garage or shed at home. Bowling balls need to be stored in consistent, temperate temperatures to help them maintain their proper shape. If the air is too hot, the ball will expand and eventually warp. If the temperature is too cold, the ball will shrink, and eventually, it will crack. Many serious bowlers prefer to rent a locker at their favorite bowling alley to store their ball, since the temperatures in the alley will remain within safe parameters. If renting a locker is not an option for you, store your ball inside your house, someplace where you maintain a fairly constant temperature.
Another important part of keeping your ball in tip-top shape is to clean it regularly to remove an oily build up. There are a number of ways you can do this. First, you can use rubbing alcohol to wipe down your ball after each game to remove any large oil deposits and any other residue. Note you should only wipe down your ball with alcohol, and not soak it in the alcohol, as was previously the recommended bowling ball cleaning technique. Soaking your ball in alcohol will remove the paint. To give your ball a good, all over cleaning, you can simply throw it in the dishwasher, using any detergent on the market. Run the ball through a short cycle, so the heat does not have time to damage the ball. Alternatively, you can fill a bucket will warm, sudsy water and let your ball soak for 25 minutes. Do not let it soak any longer, or the heat may warp your ball. After all cleaning routines, wipe your ball down with a dry, soft cloth.
To keep your ball in perfect game condition, you will need to occasionally polish it, wax it, sand it, and resurface it. How often you do each of these really depends on you and your preference. If you feel like you ball is losing its snap and skip, give it a quick polish. If you’re looking even more skid on your ball, slap a coat of wax on it. Resurface your ball approximately every 30 games or so, or when you notice a distinct groove or indention in your ball. For sanding, use a low grit sand paper to give your ball more of a hook and arc, and grittier paper if you want more snap and skip. Sanding bowling balls is usually not something an amateur should take on himself or herself, since it can change the way the ball plays. If you’re new to the game, consult a professional before you pull out your sand paper.
Using these techniques to care for and store your bowling ball should help extend the life of your bowling ball; in fact, with proper care and attention, professionals say a good bowling ball can last a lifetime. In addition to adding some years onto the life of your ball, the proper ball care will add points onto your high score.