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BALL SURFACE 101

Objective: To educate bowlers and coaches about various elements
of ball surface as well as to provide an overview of how changes in
the surface of a bowling ball impacts ball motion.

CONTENTS
What Does the Research Find About the Affect of Surface Change on
Ball Motion?
General Overview of Surfaces
Grits of Common Abrasives (Abralon, Scotch Brite, Taxi)
Grit & Ball Reaction Equivalents of Ball Polishes
How-To Sand to Alter Ball Motion
How-To Deep Clean Your Bowling Ball for Pennies
Microscopic Views of Cover Materials

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

What Does the Research State About Ball Motion and Surface Grit? ___________ 3
Commonly Used Abrasives (Abralon, Scotch Brite, Taxi) ____________________ 4
Polish Grit & Ball Reaction Equivalents___________________________________ 5
Sanding Techniques to Alter Ball Motion (from Jayhawk Bowling) ____________ 6
Bowling Ball Care and Maintenance______________________________________ 7
Microscopic Photos of Surface Materials (Urethane, Reactive, Particle) ________ 8
Notes _______________________________________________________________ 9

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What Does the Research State About Ball Motion and Surface Grit?
Ebonite International (2006) conducted research on the change of ball motion with alterations of
surface grit using Abralon pads. The differences are shown below on a short house condition.
As you can see from the data, by increasing the surface from 360 to 4000, the length increased
2.5 feet leading with less backend hook and increased entry angle.

Ball (finsh)

Length

Breakpoint
Board

Total Boards
Covered

Backend Hook
(inches)

Entry Angle

360

39.23

6.03

19.92

8.06

6.10

500

40.13

5.43

20.00

7.49

6.12

1000

40.81

4.66

20.17

6.95

6.14

2000

41.27

4.47

20.09

6.60

6.17

4000

41.82

4.09

19.83

6.01

6.21

You can visual inspect how the surface is altered with the use of Abralon pads below with
Ebonites 4 microscopic images. With the use of a lower grit pad, the scratches on the cover
are deeper with sharper edges, promoting increased traction. On the other end of the spectrum,
the higher grit pads lead to a much smoother and lower traction cover.

500 GRIT

1000 GRIT

2000 GRIT

4000 GRIT

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Commonly Used Abrasives (Abralon, Scotch Brite, Taxi)
High Grit (Smooth Surface = Less Traction)
Low Grit (Rough Surface = More Traction)
ABRALON (Mirka Abrasives)

The open weave of the abrasive

fabric allows water or solvent to
flow freely, resulting in both nonclogging and cooling, because
the foam retains solvent.
Resists caking
Foam
center
holds
large
amounts of water for lubrication
and cooling Solid surface and
foam backing provide even
surface pressure
Last 5+ times longer than
sandpaper
Use wet or dry (residual material
can be removed by high
pressure air)

GRITS
ROUGH
180
360
500
1000
2000
4000
SMOOTH

3M Scotch Brite
#7447 Maroon (General Purpose Hand): 320 - 400
#6448 Green (Light Duty Hand Pad):
600
#7448 Gray (Ultra Fine Hand):
800 - 1000
#7445 White (Light Duty Cleansing):
1200 - 1500

TAXI Abrasives
80 GRIT SANDING DISC (RED)
120 GRIT SANDING DISC (YELLOW)
180 GRIT SANDING DISC (BROWN)
220 GRIT SANDING DISC (BLACK)
320 GRIT SANDING DISC (DK. BLUE)
400 GRIT SANDING DISC (GREEN)
600 GRIT SANDING DISC (ORANGE)
1200 GRIT SANDING DISC (LT. BLUE)

grit
grit
grit
grit

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Polish Grit & Ball Reaction Equivalents
Zapp It Polishes:
Storm Reacta-Shine:
Storm Extra-Shine:

1100 Grit
1500 Grit
3500 Grit

Length Backend

Overall
Hook

5 oz
Part #

32 oz Part #

Powerhouse Ball Cleaner

No
Change

No
Change

No
Change

#125

EQ125PBCEA

Powerhouse Energizer
Ball Cleaner

No
Change

No
Change

No
Change

#130

EQ130EBCEA

Powerhouse Clean n' Dull

No
Change

No
Change

No
Change

#155

EQ155PCDEA

Powerhouse Factory
Finish Polish

No
Change

#140

EQ140FBPEA

Powerhouse Magic Shine

Polish

No
Change

#153

EQ153PMSEA

Powerhouse Extender
Polish

#135

EQ135EBPEA

Powerhouse Delayed
Reaction Polish

#154

EQ154PDREA

Powerhouse Reaction Plus

No
Change

#152

EQ152PRPEA

Powerhouse Power Wash

No
Change

#151

EQ151PPWEA

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Sanding Techniques to Alter Ball Motion (from Jayhawk Bowling)
The more water, the better. Water washes the loosened particles clear from the space between the sand
paper and the ball, making a more consistent sanding. Plus, its easier to breathe. Use a continuous
flow system that allows a constant water supply. A spray bottle works but is very messy and not as
effective as dipping the paper and your hand into the water and letting the water flow from your hand to
keep the ball wet.
When attempting to raise the final grit of the surface try not to use a grit more than 1.5 times as smooth
for each stage of sanding. When taking a ball from 320 grit to 600, use 400 first then use the 600. When
sanding up to the higher grit, it may require several steps to reach the final stage. Example: From 200 to
1000, you would be required to start with 320 then 400, 600 and finally 1000. Since there really isnt 900
grit, we usually go directly to 1000.
When sanding to a lower grit, you may sand with the final grit immediately. Always use a fresh paper
when trying to create a reaction. If you sand with used paper, there is no way to know whether the grit is
still at the grit it started. (Save those older but still useful pieces of sandpaper for the in-between steps
when lowering the grit or shining.)
You can do more to create a reaction or target a reaction than just sand the ball. There are different
ways to sand that will create more or less length, earlier or later hook, and more or less hook:

Sanding against (across) the initial track will make the ball more aggressive early and
have less bit down the lane. Early roll, mild backend.

Sanding with the initial track, will help the ball skate through the head
portion of the lane with a more aggressive move at the back end of the lane. More length,
more finish.

Sanding at the bow tie of the track will be the most aggressive early on the lane
while toning down the overall reaction. Most arc, least snap, early and even roll.

Cross sanding at a 90 degree angle to the original sanding will

give the most consistent reaction from bowler to bowler. This is the most common of all
sanding techniques.

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Bowling Ball Care and Maintenance
Reactive resin and particle bowling balls absorb oil. The
same process that keep the cover surface drier as it travels
down the lane and maximizes hook also leads to oil
penetrating the pores of the bowling ball. To keep a
competitive edge, elite bowlers maintain a structured
cleaning process such as the following:
1. Keep a clean towel. After every ball, wipe the oil from the cover.
2. After each bowling session, clean the bowling ball with an approved
cleaner.
3. In addition, be sure to complete a deep cleaning every 50 75 games.
This will keep your bowling ball at peak performance.
Deep Cleaning Process
DO NOT BAKE, WASH a BOWLING BALL in an
AUTOMATIC DISH WASHER or PLACE it in a
HOT SHOWER. These procedures that emerged
with urethane bowling balls are no longer valid.
These efforts could severely damage a particle or
reactive bowling ball.
Use a dish washing detergent with a degreasing
agent in it. Simply check on the label and be sure
it is has a degreaser. But, I recommend Dawn
Direct Foam.
1. Fill a sink or bucket with warm water and
the detergent. Be sure that the water is
only warm and not too hot. As mentioned
above, excessive temperature could do
damage to the cover.
2. Place the bowling ball in the warm soapy
water and let it soak for 10 15 minutes.
At this point, wash the bowling ball with a
cloth.
3. Wipe off the bowling ball and drain the
water. Repeat the entire process multiple
times or until you notice no more dirt and
oil in the water after the soaking phase.

RECOMMENDED

DAWN
DIRECT
FOAM

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Microscopic Photos of Surface Materials (Urethane, Reactive, Particle)
URETHANE

REACTIVE RESIN

Due to surface holes, this promotes more skid

sustaining axis rotation and axis tilt longer.
This promotes a general skid-snap ball reaction.
In the first full season, in which reactive bowling balls
were used, the number of 300 games increased by
20% in one season. Specifically, the American
Bowling Congress reported 14,889 300 games in
1991-92 and 17,654 the following season.

PARTICLE
Mica, ceramic or glass beads are added to the
reactive coverstock creating a snow tire like
cover.
Due to the surface, particle bowling balls create
early traction promoting the loss of axis rotation
and axis tilt sooner.
This leads to a general arcing ball motion and a
weaker backend reaction. Earlier traction also
promotes more midlane reaction.

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Notes
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