Expert: Chip Aki - 9/21/2006

Question
Is that Ebonite hook again a polish?  Other than sanding it which I don't want to do, is there anything else I should do?  This all has already been drilled for a semi roller.  I couldn't make the change so I had it plugged and will continue with the full roller release.  The pro shop guy asked me if I had used the full roller with it and I did.  I prefer it be drilled the right way.    Thanks very much.
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Followup To

Question -
I see the phrase "out of the box" frequently in postings on bowling.  When I asked about it, the guy explained that that just meant using the ball without doing anything to the surface.  Why would anyone want to do something to the surface of a brand new ball before they ever use it?  I use a full roller and normally play around the five board down and in.  I have an Action high performance ball.  Would I need to do anything to the ball surface?  A full roller can only be drilled one way.  Please advise.

Answer -
The out of the box finish is listed so the pro shop can bring the ball back to the original finish if any work is done on the ball.  I will usually tell a customer to throw the ball with the box finish, and then if fine tuning is needed, the surface can be altered.  I rarely, if ever, throw a ball without polishing it first, but that is me.
The only time you want to adjust the surface of the ball is to change the balls reaction.  Polishing will create more skid/flip and sanding it will create earlier and smoother reaction.


Chip

Answer
Hook Again is not a polish.  It will not change the surface of the ball at all.  It only helps remove the oil and redistribute the plasticizers thoughout the coverstock.  Sanding the ball will make it roll sooner, while polishing it will make it roll later.

Good luck,
Chip