Bowling is a fun, affordable way to get outside and enjoy some time with friends. It can be a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination and score some points in the game of life.
It can extend a bowling ball’s lifespan and performance on the lane only through consistent care and maintenance. You must regularly perform resurfacing, one of the most critical maintenance techniques. What indicators indicate it is time to resurface your bowling ball?
Reduced hook, scratches on the ball, and discoloration is indications that you need to resurface your bowling ball.
Regularly cleaning your bowling balls will remove lane oil from the coverstock’s pores. In addition, you should resurface your balls every 60 games to ensure they are in good condition.
To keep your bowling ball performing at its best, it is essential to resurface it regularly. How long does resurfacing a bowling ball take? The answer to that question and more will be provided in this article.
What is Resurface a Bowling Ball?
Resurfacing a bowling ball is a process that helps the ball move more smoothly through the pins. When the ball is new, the oil and resin mixed create friction between the ball and the lane.
Over time, this friction can wear down both components of the ball. Resurfacing smooths out these grooves and increases your chance of rolling a strike.
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When Should a Bowling Ball Be Resurfaced?
It is essential to keep your ball in good condition when bowling by resurfacing it every few games. Resurfacing a bowling ball restores its original surface and helps the ball slide more quickly down the lane.
A few factors determine when you should resurface your ball: the type of lane you are bowling on, the condition of the ball, and how often you bowl.
In general, bowling balls should be resurfaced every 60 games. When the logo can no longer be seen due to excessive sanding, it is time to purchase a new ball.
What You’ll Need to Resurface a Bowling Ball
Many sporting goods stores that sell bowling balls will also resurface them, but you can do it yourself if you have the necessary equipment and materials.
You’ll require the following:
Bowling Ball Spinner:
To ensure a uniform sanding job, you can purchase a bowling ball spinner, but if your local sporting goods stores don’t carry them, you can order one online or even make one yourself.
Abrasive:
Bowling balls are effectively sanded by the Abrasilk hook-and-loop sanding discs sold by Red Label Abrasives.
The patented foam backing of the bonded aluminum oxide abrasives reduces the risk of pressure marks, resulting in a uniform finish.
Discs with grits of 500, 800, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 are included in our assortments, including discs with 500, 800, and 1000.
Water:
You will require a bowl of water to rinse the sanding discs. The sanding process generates a great deal of dust, so you must clean the discs to ensure a uniform finish. Water keeps the ball cool when the sanding process creates heat due to friction.
Pads, Polishing Equipment, and Cleaners:
After resurfacing the ball, if you intend to apply a polish or compound, stock up on polishing pads or towels. Use a separate one for each product you intend to apply to the bowl.
Read More: What is a Coverstock in a Bowling ball?
7 Easy Step to Go How Long Does It Take To Resurface A Bowling Ball
Step 1: Choose the Right bowling ball
Resurfacing a bowling ball is not always a quick process. Depending on the ball’s condition, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
The speed of the resurfacing procedure is also affected by factors such as the type of ball being resurfaced and the size and shape of the ball.
Step 2: Prepare the Bowling Ball for Resurfacing
Before resurfacing the ball, it is essential to make sure that everything is ready. You will need a bowl, a resurfacing tool, and enough water to cover the ball.
Step 3: Resurface the Bowling Ball
To resurface a bowling ball, you will need to use a resurfacing tool. This tool has a smooth surface designed to glide over the ball’s cover. You should hold the device just below where the seam meets the oil-and-resin mixture on top of the ball.
Gently slide the tool over the seam until it reaches just below where oil and resin meet. Be careful not to gouge or scratch the surface of your bowling ball during this process.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry the Bowling Ball
Once you have resurfaced the ball, it is important to rinse it off. Be sure to immerse the ball entirely in water and use a soft cloth to wipe away the Resurfacing Tool residues. Once you are done, dry the ball off using a soft cloth or a paper towel.
Step 5: Choose Your Lane Conditions
The conditions you choose can make or break your game when it comes to bowling. Choose Your Lane Conditions is a website that offers information on various bowling conditions, including ball speed, oil patterns, and more. By understanding what the different conditions mean for your game, you can improve your chances of success.
It usually takes around 300-400 revolutions of the ball to resurface it. You should select your lane conditions before your game to improve your chances of success.
Step 6: Set Up Your Bowling Game
Assuming you have the necessary equipment and are familiar with the steps involved in setting up a bowling game, it should take around 30 minutes to get everything ready.
First, make sure all of your equipment is clean and in good condition. You’ll also need to set up your pinsetter, ball return system, and scoring table.
Next, you’ll need to position the lanes and cover them with fabric or paper. You can use a roller to coat the lane, but cloth or paper is generally more accessible and more accurate. Finally, place the balls on top of the pinsetter and connect your ball return system.
Step 7: Take Down Your Bowling Ball
When you take down your bowling ball, it is essential to do it correctly to protect the ball and ensure a smooth return. Bowling balls usually take around 10 seconds to resurface.
Make sure you have all of your equipment ready before taking down your ball, including a towel, shoes, and a bowl.
Is It Possible to Resurface a Bowling Ball at Home?
Yes, you can! Before attempting to resurface your ball, you must conduct the necessary research.
Continue reading this article, call a local pro shop for advice, view DIY videos online, and converse with teammates at the bowling alley.
Ensure you have a clear understanding of how you will resurface your ball and the desired outcome. Remember that you are sanding your ball to restore its surface, so while there is some room for error, you are not working with an infinite amount of material.
How Many Times Can a Bowling Ball Be Resurfaced?
Bowlers generally resurface bowling balls until the manufacturer’s logo is wholly sanded away. Once the label is completely removed, it would be prudent to look for another bowling ball.
When bowling at a professional level, the rule becomes more stringent. A bowling ball must have a circumference of 27.002 inches and no less than 26.704 inches to be legal for gameplay.
Therefore, an acceptable ball must be between 8.595 and 8.5 inches. Your ball will be ruled illegal in professional play if it crosses these lines.
How Much Does Resurfacing a Bowling Ball Cost?
Depending on the type of service requested, it will charge $5 to 30 dollars for resurfacing. Professional shops usually charge between five and ten dollars for a simple surface replacement or cleanup.
However, if you’re looking for deeper resurfacing, you can use a machine known as a Haus Machine; these services typically cost around $30.
Check Also: what is a hybrid bowling ball
How Often Should a Bowling Ball be Resurfaced?
The consensus is every sixty games when it comes to how often you should resurface your bowling ball. At your sixty-second game, you may observe that your ball no longer responds as it once did, despite cleaner and consistent maintenance.
This indicates that the bowling ball requires a thorough cleaning, consisting of a complete resurfacing.
There is no way to extend the life of your bowling ball indefinitely, but there are steps you can take to maintain its health and longevity.
Constant maintenance and care go a long way toward keeping your ball in top condition, but even if you take all the proper precautions, your ball will eventually become clogged with oil.
Resurfacing can help get your bowling ball back on track when this occurs. This cleaning method has repeatedly demonstrated that with careful concentration and the proper technique, you can alter your game and bring a “dead ball” back to life.
FAQs About How Long Does It Take To Resurface A Bowling Ball
How long does it take to get a bowling ball for you?
Custom bowls can take up to two weeks to produce.
When should a bowling ball’s surface be refinished?
The standard recommendation is to resurface your bowling ball sixty times per year. If the logo is consistently sanded, it will never see the light of day again. This is a great way to purchase another ball if you no longer want the logo to be visible.
How Much Is Time Required To Clean A Bowling Ball?
Ensure that the ball is cleaned with alcohol and a rag every two hours. Even though the process may take up to six hours, it is effective.
Is it possible to repaint a bowling ball?
The Paint, a Bowling Ball Method, can vary from what one may anticipate. You should apply two applications of putty to a bowling ball to prevent cracking. After three coats of red primer have dried, rub off the fourth. Put the dish away and allow it to dry.
When should you clean your bowling ball?
As a general rule, these balls must always be cleaned before the conclusion of a match. There are various methods for cleaning the bowling ball in every bowling alley.
When should my bowling ball be polished?
If the ball begins to roll early at the lane and loses its ball reaction there, it must be polished. The skid of a bowling ball down the road is not the time to rely on the ball turning or hooking its hook.
Last Word
Resurfacing a bowling ball can be a time-consuming process. However, by understanding how long it takes in different circumstances, you can decide whether or not it’s worth your time.
Modern bowling balls have a high level of performance, but they require regular maintenance to keep this level. Regular maintenance will ensure that they meet performance and longevity expectations.
Some indicators indicate when it is time to resurface the ball. The most crucial hand occurs when the ball loses its hook. Additionally, discoloration and blemishes on the ball indicate the need for resurfacing.
Regular resurfacing can restore the ball’s traction and decrease its oil absorption. After 60 games, resurface your bowling balls and clean them after each use.
Hello everyone, I’m Sonjay Chowdhury.
Bowling for Beginners is a resource I made to help new bowlers learn the basics of the game, whether they’re just starting or hoping to make it as a professional.
I’m an aspiring bowler with a strong passion for the game. I started playing the game at a very early age, and it’s been an integral part of my life ever since.
The start was not as easy as many hurdles to becoming a professional bowler. However, if you’re passionate about something and have the guts to work your way, then there’s nothing in the world that can stop you.
However, I eventually overcame the barriers, and right now, I’m a member of many prominent bowling clubs around the country. For me, bowling isn’t just a hobby; It’s instead a passion that’s embedded in my veins.
I’ve chosen to commit a good deal of my time to assist anyone interested in learning to bowl. If your objective is to bowl more strikes and increase your scoring average, or if you want to learn more advanced techniques and skills, I have enough resources for you as well.
I hope everyone who wants to bowl may learn to like it.
Happy Bowling!