Your bowling ball’s life and performance can be increased or decreased based on how you are maintaining it. Get the most out of your equipment with a proper maintenance routine.

In this article, we’ll go over:

• On-lane maintenance
• Off-lane maintenance
• Proper ball storage
• FAQ

On-Lane Maintenance

The first thing to consider regarding on-lane maintenance is USBC Rule 18 which states:

While bowling in USBC competition, a bowling ball cannot:

1. Have the surface altered by the use of an abrasive
2. Be cleaned with any liquid substance or cleaning agent
3. Have any foreign material on it including, but not limited to , powder, rosin, marker or paint.

All bowling balls so altered or cleaned must be removed from the competition

During Competition

This means that during USBC competition, you are limited to a dry towel for ball maintenance. While this may not seem like much, it’s actually a very simple and important step in getting the most out of your ball. Each time your ball comes back it’s covered in lane oil. Wiping down the surface of your ball between every shot will remove this oil before it has a chance to absorb, giving life to your coverstock in the long term and providing a more consistent reaction in the short term.

There are plenty of options when choosing a towel or shammy:

• Cotton: Cotton towels are a cheap option and are easy to find. Grab one from your house or shop our selection here.
• Microfiber: Microfiber towels have become the preferred choice to cotton, as they are also very affordable and have proven to absorb oil and dirt more effectively.
• Leather: Leather shammies are at the top in regard to price and oil absorption.

Expect to spend anywhere from $0 (cotton kitchen towel from home) to $23 (top of the line leather shammy) on a bowling towel.

Shop towels here

Before/After Competition

On-lane maintenance before and/or after USBC competition should involve the use of a liquid ball cleaner and your bowling towel. There are lots of choices on the market so understanding what you want is important.

I just want to clean my ball: Getting a basic cleaner such as Brunswick Big B or Hammer Remove All will clean the dirt and oil of your ball’s surface without the reaction.

I want my ball to shine: Polishing your ball with Brunswick Crown Factory Polish will help create length and leave your ball shiny.

I want to add surface to my ball: Sanding your ball with Abralon or Siaair can be done by hand on the lane. Add a few pads to your bag and use with water or cleaner.

I want my ball to look and react like new: Check the finish on your ball online and duplicate the steps taken at the factory.

To get the most out of your on-lane maintenance routine, we recommend wiping your ball with a dry towel between every shot and using a USBC approved cleaner/polish every 3-5 games.

Off-Lane Maintenance

A proper off-lane maintenance routine consists of:

• Clean/Polish
• Resurface
• Oil Extraction
• Replace Grips

Clean/Polish

Another option for cleaning your ball every 3-5 games is to utilize your pro shop and their ball spinner. It’s really up to you – you can buy your own bottle of cleaner and clean your equipment yourself, or you can let your PSO handle it on the spinner. Either way, the important thing is that you’re keeping up with a consistent routine.

Resurface

 A bowling ball’s surface consists of microscopic pores that enable the ball to grip the lane and create friction. Over time, these pores smooth out and you’ll notice a decrease in friction, and therefore a decrease in your ball’s overall hook-ability. Resurfacing your ball is like deep cleaning your surface by sanding away at the outer most layer. Because of this, there is a limit to how many times a ball can be resurfaced. A good rule of thumb is if the logo has been sanded off, you probably shouldn’t resurface it anymore.

You can resurface your bowling ball by hand with the use of Abralon or Siaair pads, but for best results we recommend you take it to your pro shop and let them do it, either on the spinner or in a machine such as the Haus.

We recommend resurfacing your equipment every 60 games

Oil Extraction

There are several different machines that pro shops can use to extract the oil from a bowling ball. The end result is always the same and is pretty self-explanatory – to pull out oil from deep within the surface of your bowling ball. It is usually a good idea to pair this with a resurface as they are both recommended for every 60 games and most pro shops will offer a discount to perform both services at once.  

Note: While you may hear about some home methods for oil extraction, we’ve decided to not cover those simply because they are not recommended. That’s not to say they won’t work, but you do need to be careful as to not damage the ball. Keep in mind that performing some of the home “bake” methods can void the manufacturer warranty on your bowling ball. Your best bet is to take it to your pro shop and let them handle all your oil extraction needs.

Replace Grips

Replacing your finger grips is one of the most overlooked services we see. Because of their soft material, finger grips will wear over time changing their size and texture. Ill-fitting finger grips can affect your release that ultimately can change your ball motion. As with resurface and oil extraction, it’s recommended to replace your finger grips every 60 games.

Shop grips here

Proper Ball Storage

Keeping your ball stored properly is a simple way to avoid any unnecessary damage. While it may be easy to leave your equipment in the trunk of your car, the extreme temperature changes can cause the ball to crack in certain situations. The same is true when storing in a garage. Your best bet is to bring your equipment inside your home or to rent a locker at the bowling center.

FAQ

What type of ball maintenance is approved for USBC competition?

• Rule 18 in the USBC Rulebook states that the use of anything on the surface of your ball other than a dry towel is not permitted during competition. This includes cleaners and abrasives such as Abralon or Siaair. If you wish to clean your ball or alter its surface, you must get this done before the 1^st ball of competition is thrown (practice excluded).
• COVID-19 UPDATE: The use of isopropyl alcohol to clean your ball’s surface is now approved during USBC competition.

What kind of cleaner should I use for my ball?

• There are lots of different USBC approved cleaners available and the truth is most of them will do a comparable job in cleaning your ball. If you want a versatile bottle of cleaner that can be used on all your equipment, look for something like the Brunswick Big B that is not designed to alter ball motion.

Can I use my oven for oil extraction?

• It is NOT Recommended to use your oven for home oil extraction. Let’s leave it at that.

How can I tell if my ball needs an oil extraction?

• If you notice your ball isn’t hooking as much as it used to even after cleaning and adjusting surface, it may be soaked with oil. A good rule of thumb is 60 games, but it won’t hurt to rejuvenate more often.

How can I tell if my ball needs to be resurfaced?

• If your ball’s surface is visibly beat up with a bunch of micro scratches and knicks, it may be time to resurface. Keep in mind you’ll only want to resurface your ball a handful of times (once the logo’s gone you should stop) so unlike oil extraction, you should be more conservative with this.

Why do I need to replace my finger grips?

• Finger inserts are a soft rubber and wear down over time making them too large for your fingers. This improper fit can change the way your release and hurt your rev rate.