Can you put surface on a plastic bowling ball?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 23, 2026
Sanding plastic can work in limited situations. Certainly I would knock the factory shine off of a plastic ball. However if you get very aggressive in the sanding you increase the friction too much early. Also sanding doesn't help with carrydown which is the enemy of all plastic and pure urethane balls.
Can you resurface a plastic bowling ball?
Re: Recommended Method For Resurfacing Plastic
Treat it as any other ball. If there are lots of scratches and wear start pretty coarse, maybe 220 grit, and then gradually smooth out and polish.
Can you surface a urethane bowling ball?
Re: Surface Adjustments on Old Urethane
You can use any form of abrasive you have. Abralon, sandpaper or sanding blocks. If you sand with the track, the ball will go further down before it starts to hook, if you sand against the track, the ball will start up earlier.
Do pros use plastic bowling balls?
The main categories are plastic/polyester, urethane and reactive resin. The most advanced competitive bowlers typically use reactive resin balls that are specifically designed to absorb oil better, giving them an edge when facing difficult lane conditions and providing increased hook potential and power.
Can you resurface a bowling ball?
To resurface a bowling ball, you'll need sanding discs, water, polisher, and polishing pads. You'll use the pad in the palm of your hand to remove surface where needed. Red Label Abrasives sells the abrasive discs needed to resurface bowling balls.
26 related questions foundHow do you rejuvenate a bowling ball at home?
In this method, you let your bowling ball sit in hot water, drawing the oil out of the cover stock.
- Fill a Bucket With Hot Water. A standard, no-frills bucket being filled halfway with hot water. ...
- Tape Over the Holes. ...
- Immerse the Bowling Ball. ...
- Wipe the Bowling Ball. ...
- Let the Bowling Ball Rest.
Do you polish a plastic bowling ball?
Re: polishing a plastic ball
Absolutely any bowling ball polish will work fine on Polyester/plastic balls. They don't have the same characteristics as resin or even urethanes; so there's no need to worry about types of polish with plastic.
How long do plastic bowling balls last?
It depends on so many factors, from the number and frequency of uses, to its maintenance schedule, and even the climate where you live and the temperatures it's exposed to. With proper maintenance, you should get at least 5-10 years out of a quality bowling ball.
What does a yellow dot on a bowling ball mean?
The pin marks the top of the core inside the bowling ball. It is also the point around which the ball wants to rotate. Given an infinite length and time, a ball will eventually rotate around the pin, either with the pin down on the lane or on top of the ball.
What is the benefit of a urethane bowling ball?
Urethane– This coverstock is more durable than plastic and offers more friction between the ball and the lane surface. Therefore, urethane has a higher hook potential than plastic. Due to the increased friction on the lane, urethane tends to deflect less which results in better pin action.
Do you need to clean a urethane bowling ball?
Another essential thing that you must always do is clean the ball regularly. Cleaning the urethane bowling ball, you own regularly is an essential part of the bowling ball maintenance process. It would help if you made sure that the ball is well cleaned and is not in a state where it has not been cleaned in ages.
What is the difference between urethane and reactive bowling balls?
Reactive Resin Bowling Balls are slightly heavier than Urethane Bowling Balls. The higher hook potential eventually leads to increased weight for reactive resin balls. This goes the same for any ball with higher hook potential. Reactive Resin Balls offer better hook potential and an increased rate of high performance.
Is a polyester bowling ball the same as a plastic bowling ball?
Plastic/Polyester – The ball you'll first encounter on your bowling journey is the polyester, also often referred to as plastic, ball. These balls are the cheapest and also those best designed for straight bowlers, as opposed to those who throw with a curve or spin.
How do you resurface plastic?
To bring back the shine, apply a small amount of either plastic or metal polishing compound, just enough to cover the dull spot, and apply in circular motions with a clean, dry cloth. You may need to repeat the process a few times, but, eventually, the plastic will gleam as good as new again.
Can house balls hook?
House balls are not made to hook. A performance ball, however, is designed to hook. Hooking the ball creates a greater angle into the pins and gives the bowling ball more energy at the end of the lane so it hits the pins harder.
How often should you detox a bowling ball?
A general rule of thumb is that these balls should be cleaned after every six games. Every bowler has his or her own favorite method of cleaning their BowlingBalls.
Why does a bowling ball lose its hook?
This is because side roll stores energy, which delays hook. However, if reaction is delayed too long, the ball will run out of time to hook. This is especially true if you are bowling on heavier oil. On oilier conditions, the ball naturally slides.
How do I clean my reactive bowling ball resin?
Fill a bucket with hot water, enough to submerge the entire ball. Oil is lighter than water, so this method works to lift the oil out of the pores of your ball along with any dirt and grime which was packed in with it. For maximum effect, soak the ball for about 20 minutes.
Do plastic balls hook?
Plastic balls will not hook as quickly as urethane balls because of the lesser amount of friction generated on the lane surface.
Are clear bowling balls good?
Clear balls, however, have no core as they are hollow and encased with a design or object to give them a more unique look. This can dynamically affect the ball's performance, making it less accurate and unpredictable. No professional bowler would use a clear bowling ball for an entire game.
How do you clean a plastic bowling ball?
Place the bowling ball in the warm soapy water and let it soak for 15 minutes. 3. After 15 minutes, wipe the ball dry with a dry clean towel. Drain the water and repeat the entire process two more times, for a total of three baths.
Does rubbing alcohol damage bowling balls?
Using isopropyl alcohol over time can dry out your bowling ball; making it brittle, more prone to crack and destroy performance. So while it is good to kill viruses on your bowling ball, it can also hurt the performance over time.
What is a good homemade bowling ball cleaner?
One of the most widely-accepted solutions for a homemade bowling ball cleaner requires equal parts Simple Green, isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and water. Just mix these three into a regular spray bottle and it makes for an effective, cheap cleaner.