Expert: - 7/29/2009

Question
I want ask is my driller told me that for my ball cleaning on my
t-road solid and hyroad that i could use soak it in a bucket
with simple green for 20-minute and it will remove the oil
from the ball is this ok to do after being use for the day.

Second question is i notice that when i use the dots in front
of the foul line compare to the arrows i tend to raise my speed
alot faster then useing the arrows for my target for the second
arrow or when i have to adjust on the lanes is this alot beter approach useing the dots.
                        
                                            thanks
                                           EFRAIN

Answer
Welcome back Efrain,
Hot water will help remove oil. NOTHING else is necessary. Your ball will not absorb enough oil in one outing to be a problem. Hot water 20 minutes, pour off the oily water and repeat when you need to remove oil.

Ebonite has a cleaning regiment that suggests ever 50 games or so, a ball COULD need some form of deep cleaning (like the bucket of hot water). Check out their website (http://ebonite.com/images/uploads/resources/ball_maintenance_info.pdf) for maintenance details.

I believe that for a very active player 50-75 games will see a change in ball reaction due in part to oil absorption, surface moderation, and finger grip wear. Wiping a ball down with a cleaner (or cleaner/polish for a shiny ball) after every outing helps minimize oil absorption. Observing the balls surface. Seeing a dull ball get shiny or shiny ball start to dull should trigger a cleaning and/or polishing as appropriate.

The dots on the foul line or dots out just beyond the foul line, are a closer, easier target. The ball will come out of your hand quicker, because the target is closer. I've found when you target further out on the lane, the ball comes out of your hand later, with some loft. The drag and later release will cause the ball to loose some momentum. It will travel down the lane a little slower.

Thanks for the questions. Good luck and good bowling.