How to Clean Oil From Your Bowling Ball

Written By: Tony Ruocco | Written On: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 | Updated On: Monday, December 9, 2024

Your bowling ball will pick up oil from the lanes during use. To help your bowling ball last longer, it is strongly recommended that you remove as much oil as you can. Using a Microfiber towel between shots will remove surface oil.

How to Properly Hand Clean Your Bowling Ball

Properly maintaining your bowling ball is essential for achieving consistent performance on the lanes. Over time, a bowling ball accumulates dirt, oil, and other debris, which can reduce its ability to grip the lane and affect its reaction. To keep your bowling ball in top condition, regular hand cleaning and oil removal are necessary. Here’s a guide to help you properly hand clean your ball, as well as information on using a specialized tool like the Phoenix Revivor from bowlingball.com for deep oil extraction.

Hand Cleaning Your Bowling Ball

Hand cleaning your bowling ball after every session is crucial to preserving its longevity and performance. The process is simple and can be done with basic supplies:

1. Gather Your Materials: You'll need a microfiber towel, a ball cleaner approved by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), and a clean, dry cloth for buffing.

2. Wipe Down the Ball After Each Throw: During play, it’s important to use a microfiber towel to wipe off the surface oil that accumulates on the ball after every shot. This prevents the oil from penetrating deeply into the pores of the ball, helping to maintain its grip and reaction.

3. Apply Bowling Ball Cleaner: After your session, spray a small amount of ball cleaner directly onto the surface of the ball. Bowling ball cleaners are specifically designed to break down oils and dirt without damaging the ball's coverstock.

4. Rub the Cleaner In: Use your microfiber towel to rub the cleaner into the surface of the ball in a circular motion. Make sure to cover the entire ball, paying special attention to areas that come into contact with lane oil, such as the track area.

5. Buff the Ball: Once the cleaner has been worked into the surface, use a clean, dry cloth to buff the ball. This will remove any remaining oil, cleaner, or dirt and restore the ball’s sheen. Be sure to allow the ball to dry completely before storing it.

The Importance of Oil Removal and Using the Phoenix Revivor

While regular hand cleaning is essential, over time, lane oil will penetrate deep into the pores of your bowling ball. This absorbed oil can reduce your ball’s performance by decreasing its hook potential and making it slide more than expected. To maintain peak performance, it’s necessary to perform a deep oil extraction periodically.

One of the best tools for deep oil removal is the Phoenix Revivor, a patented device from bowlingball.com. The Phoenix Revivor uses a combination of heat and air circulation to extract oil from deep within the ball’s coverstock. Here’s how it works and why it’s essential:

1. Controlled Heat Application: The Phoenix Revivor heats the ball to a specific temperature, which causes the oil trapped inside the pores to rise to the surface. Unlike other methods that might risk damaging the ball by overheating, the Revivor is designed to maintain a safe temperature that won’t affect the integrity of the coverstock.

2. Effective Oil Removal: As the oil rises to the surface, the Revivor's system absorbs it, effectively cleaning the ball in a way that traditional hand cleaning cannot. This deep oil extraction restores the ball’s original performance, giving it more traction on the lanes and improving hook potential.

3. Prolongs the Life of Your Ball: Regular use of the Phoenix Revivor can extend the life of your bowling ball by maintaining the coverstock’s porosity and reaction capabilities. It’s recommended to use the Revivor every 50-75 games, depending on how much oil the lanes you play on carry.

Conclusion

Properly maintaining your bowling ball through regular hand cleaning and periodic deep oil extraction is key to ensuring optimal performance. Hand cleaning with a microfiber towel and ball cleaner helps remove surface dirt and oil after each session, while the Phoenix Revivor from bowlingball.com provides a powerful solution for deep oil extraction. By combining these methods, you can keep your bowling ball in peak condition, allowing you to enjoy consistent, high-quality performance for many games to come.