Best Practices for Coverstock Maintenance

[jhays]

So? What are the best ways to maintain Resin balls? I just switched from Urethane to Resin last 2 years, and I don't really know after shadow bowling which ball I should use, I just stick with something usually my Tropical Storm no matter what conditions, I have made a huge jump in playing what the lane gives me.

Usually, after I get done each night, I clean the ball off with resin cleaner (remove dirt and oil marks) then wipe my soles off - then place in bag - drink a few more than go home.

Anything else would prolong the use of my equipment, I don't mind buying new equipment when I need to, but saw posts and made me curious.

[BigDawg70]

The best tool you can have is a ball spinner. Not only does it make altering the surface of the ball much less of a hassle but it makes cleaning your equipment a snap. It usually takes about 10 min to clean 4 balls after league.
I have found plain old Simple Green or 409 works a lot better and cheaper than "bowling ball cleaners" since they both break down grease and oil.

[presence1960]

coverstock maintenance

Big Dawg is right on the money! The best thing you can do is invest in a spinner. I prefer Jayhawk spinners, but that is a personal preference. For the price of less than 2 top of the line balls you can purchase a spinner and not only maintain your equipment, but customize the surface of the balls you own for different reactions or lane conditions. A spinner makes polishing a ball a snap!

I agree that simple green or windex is good to use. I use floor stripping solution mixed 4 parts water 1 part stripping solution. You want to talk about cutting oil, grime and the like off your ball. Bought a 1 gallon container at BJ's 2 years ago for about $11 and still have half left.

Even though I own a spinner I still clean my coverstocks after each use before I put the balls back into my bag. I never leave the lanes without cleaning what equipment I use. When I get home I clean it on the spinner again. About once a month I wet sand the coverstock to clean and open up the pores. I have been doing this routine for about 11 years now. The results: My balls always react well, they are consistent. I have some really old equipment I still use and they look almost new! Have a Brunswick Combat Zone & Blue Zone Pro, Storm Lightning and Fire, Ebonite Cougar and Champions Pearl Warhawk XR. These oldies but goodies look better than other people's balls they bought just a month or two ago. And they react well and hit hard because I am meticulous about coverstock maintenance. The coverstock is the most important factor on a ball because it is what makes contact with the lane. It is even more important than the layout of the ball in my opinion. Bowling on a house shot you don't need a ball, two or three "new" every year if you maintain what you have.

[presence1960]

oops

sorry Big Dawg, simple green and 409, not windex. LOL!

[jhays]

Thanks for the suggestion, I looked up Jayhawk Spinners and will call them Monday morning. Anything to make my game more consistent.