If you are in a hurry and just want to grab the best acetone cleaner for your bowling balls, we recommend the acetone cleaners below, they are the best based on several critical criteria we considered:

Diamond Wipes Acetone (Check Price)
Lab118 Pure Acetone (Check Price)
Morovan Acetone (Check Price)

Table of Contents

Can I Clean Bowling Balls With Acetone?

A built up layer of gum, dirt, debris or oil on your bowling ball no matter how small it is can cause it to react differently within the lane. This often leads the ball to lose grip while moving on the lane, which can affect your perfect throw.

However, you can easily get rid of these obstacles sticking on your ball with a little bit of time and the best acetone.

Using this product, you can clean the ball before the game, at home, or at the bowling centre.

While they are other cleaning product in the market to serve this purpose, acetone is one substance many people use to clean their balls.

Using acetone to for cleaning your balls can be really effective. But you should know that it has its own downsides.

The cons of using acetone on balls include, weakening the cover stock, striping the ball polish and in some cases, wiping-off the color from the ball altogether.

Nevertheless, applying it the right way and time can minimize this effect. You should also avoid a liberal application of the acetone on your bowling ball.

This is because acetone is a solvent and is basically used to remove nail polish and remove acrylic or gel nails in most salons.

Also, mechanics use this substance for cleanups, to eliminate oil, grease and grim from metal pieces and parts. Whereas, bowling ball are basically made of a petroleum plastic resin, known as urethane.

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Best Acetone Cleaners for Bowling Balls

Lab118 Pure Acetone

The Lab118 Pure Acetone easily removes gum, oil and stuck-on dirt from your bowling ball. It also helps eliminate any form of enamel in record time.

This acetone will not leave oil residue, so your ball will be ready for the next throw, without you having to wipe it off again.

You can use it directly from the bottle or from an acetone dispenser. You don’t need to visit the pro shop to get that stain out.

It is also formulated to remove glue or gum from your ball. The formula acts quickly and effectively, to remove the toughest hindrance on your bowling ball.

The Lab118 Pure Acetone is easy to use, moisten a little cotton ball, then, wipe and clean only the affected areas. You will have clean balls in no time. This acetone also has many other practical uses. It works either as a cleaner or solvent. See on Amazon

Diamond Wipes Acetone

The Diamond Wipes Acetone pads have extra thick felt, with one or two pads made to clean stubborn stains, even gum and glue on surfaces such as bowling ball.

And they are small enough for convenient and to be carried anywhere for a quick touch, if need arises.

The pads are extra thick to ensure an excellent clean. It is easy to use; the acetone pads are enriched with protein, mess-free and individually wrapped for your convenient.

The Diamond Wipes Acetone can be used anywhere and anytime, in your car, on a plane, at home, at the game centre, and is travel friendly. See on Amazon

Morovan Acetone

The Morovan Acetone is enriched with ingredient to eliminate stains and grime on surfaces such as bowling balls.

This is a liquid acetone, with very mild fragrance and can be used both indoor and outdoor without having to worry about the smell it emanates.

It is a safe and non-toxic acetone formula, infused with cooling and nourishing ingredient.

It is delicately scented with rose, no chemical smell or pesky drying, it provides a pleasant aroma for you and the people around you.

The Morovan Acetone is cruelty-free, extremely mild, gentle and works brilliantly on glitters, metallic and super pigmented hues and even the most stained ball to clean the surface and extend the life of the color. See on Amazon

Editor’s Recommendation

Lab118 Pure Acetone

The Lab118 Pure Acetone is 100% acetone for fast and easy cleaning. It helps eliminate any type of dirt or grim in bowling balls.

The formula in this acetone acts quickly and effectively, removing even the toughest stain, leaving your ball ready for the next throw.

Your bowling ball will be residue-free and free from oily substance after using this acetone. Just moisten a little cotton ball, then, wipe and clean only the affected areas. You will have clean balls in no time.

The Lab118 Pure Acetone is professionally formulated, to be considered as a bowling ball cleaner. It works with maximum strength for faster and efficient action. See on Amazon

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Does Acetone Damage Bowling Balls?

While many people use acetone for cleaning bowling balls, there are limitations to using it. Yes, acetone is the best option for removing oil, grim and gum from the ball’s spores.

But, if not applied carefully, it can remove more than you bargained for. Any alteration to the ball may however not constitute or violate the official rules, but it may ruin the performance of the ball.

Notwithstanding, to be on the safer side, why not use acetone on your ball majorly to remove stubborn stain such as gum, glue, grim or other stuck-on filth.

However, if you have to clean your bowling ball before a game, a pinch of acetone can suffice.

How to Clean a Bowling Ball with Acetone

Before cleaning your bowling ball with acetone, test a small patch on somewhere insignificant to know if it won’t affect the ball’s general performance.

For instance, you could use small cotton to dab a small amount of acetone and put it somewhere between the finger holes.

If possible, first clean your bowling ball with warm water and a spray cleaner or dish soap to clean any surface dirt and oil from the ball. Then use microfiber cloth and leave it to dry completely.

But if you are in a hurry, you can skip this part and go straight for the acetone.

Rub the acetone on the spot well, and wait for about an hour as an experiment to see if you notice any change in the cover stock, the color and also the overall feel of the area.

If you are still not convinced, carry out another test patch in a different area. If it is well and truly okay to use it, then go ahead and recover your ball.

Place the microfiber cloth against the opening of the acetone bottle and do a quick flip upside down. Then, remove the cloth and wait for 10 to 15 minutes.

Furthermore, apply it directly to your ball, wiping in a fast, circular motion. Grab another microfiber cloth and use it to wipe the ball well immediately after.

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How Often Should You Clean Your Bowling Ball?

Since balling bowl normally belongs to the ground, it is often cut-off with dirt, gum and oil.

A common rule of thumb states that bowling balls should be cleaned at least every six games. Using acetone is a quicker and effective way to get your ball all cleaned up and in time for the next round.

Grab one of the recommended acetone solutions above to get a perfect clean for your ball.

Constant maintenance of your bowling ball is key for its longevity and durability. You may notice a ring of oil around the ball after retrieving it from the throw, this is commonly called “oil track”.

It is important that you deal with this oil track immediately, preferably after each turn to prevent the oil from absorbing into the ball’s surface.

To remove the oil that gets into your bowling ball, you should rub it down using a microfiber towel immediately after each turn.

The faster you take care of that oil on your ball, the better. That way they’ll be no chance of it absorbing into the surface of your bowling ball.

As soon as you are done bowling for the day, you should use your newly purchased acetone on the ball before wiping it down with a microfiber towel as well.

This will go a long way in preventing any missed oil from absorbing further into the surface of the ball.

Can You Clean Bowling Balls With Nail Polish Remover?

While some people may have recorded success using a non-acetone nail polish remover as a bowling ball cleaner, you should never use this formula on your ball.

This is because; the harsh chemicals contained in nail polish can damage and warp the ball overtime, in some cases permanently.

Also, nail polish has been disapproved for tournament use by the US Bowling Congress (UBC) site.

So while it can be applied in a pinch, it is best you seek for other alternative cleaners such as acetone.

While they are numerous methods of cleaning your bowling ball in the internet, it is best you find the most effective one and choosing the right fit for your ball so as to ensure its durability and use.

Remember that your bowling ball is the most important equipment to the game, so it is important that you care for it. Use it and ensure it functions correctly and doesn’t sabotage your game.

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When Do You Clean Your Bowling Ball?

Just like other sporting equipment, bowling ball requires frequent maintenance and care. However, cleaning a bowling ball is not as simple as using soap and water and expects the best.

You need to be cautious so you prevent damage and preserve the finish. To get maximum performance, there are specific times where you need to take a timeout and clean your ball:

Clean between throws: a dirt-free ball will assist your scores, when bowling. So, between throws, wipe out the finger holes to remove the grease inside and help your grip become stable.

Also, remember to wipe your hands with a clean towel to avoid adding to the buildup of oils and dirt.

Likewise, try rubbing off the lane oil and wax by using a clean microfiber towel. In some cases where the buildup is exposed, add some acetone to the microfiber towel for effective cleaning.

Work on the scuffs: Unless, you made a mistake while throwing, most bowling ball scuffs can be buffed out. Use a towel or ball cleaner to work on this.

Inspect the ball for scuffs as it emerge from the return system. That is where they collect most of the scuffs. Deep scuffs tend to attract more dirt and lane oil, which could greatly affect your game and even have an impact on the scores.

Remember to polish your ball: you don’t have to polish your ball frequently. But if you bowl frequently, this is an activity you need to carry out.

Use a gel cleaner specifically recommended for this process. These products are manufactured specifically for bowling balls. It offers deep cleaning for ground-in dirt, gum, or grease.

You can also go to a pro shop to get that deep cleaning for your ball, but if you play in multiple leagues, consider getting your own ball spinner to make it easier to polish at home.

FAQs

How Do You Clean Bowling Ball Finger Holes?

Cleaning the finger holes of a bowling ball is quite simple, although it requires a level of patience.

Using a microfiber cloth can do the trick; however a cotton or leather shammy can perform well too. if the holes are super greasy, it may require more time to clean them, which is why cleaning the balls should be a regular practice.

The best way to clean your bowling ball’s finger holes is by using your finger and wiping the holes with a lint-free, dry, soft brush, microfiber towel, or shammy.

Ensure to apply some pressure for a thorough cleaning procedure, especially around the rim.

Do not use a wet cloth or pour any detergents in, as it will enter the hole and remain in there, creating an unhygienic environment and resulting to a bad smell.

Additionally, be sure that the towel you’re working with is free from oils and dirt from the previous ball you cleaned, or any cleaning solution you’ve been using to wipe the cover stock.

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How Can You Tell a Bowling Ball Is Dirty?

Each time you bowl, you are sending your ball down a sixty-foot oil coated lane. The surfaces of all bowling balls are porous, which grants different friction generation, and eventually those small microscopic holes will get plugged with the dirt and oil available as they go through.

As the microscopic holes become more and more plugged up, your bowling ball will begin to react in a different way than it should.

It may be running slower, grabbing wrong for the hook or its rate of error increases. Ideally, dirty ball will significantly affect your game, and not for good.

To remove the oil that gets into your bowling ball, you should rub it down using a microfiber towel immediately after each turn.

The faster you take care of that oil on your ball, the better. That way they’ll be no chance of it absorbing into the surface of your bowling ball.

How to Get Glue off a Bowling Ball

Sometimes we may get unintentionally get glue on our ball. It may be when you’re trying to fix the inserts around the rim of the ball’s finger holes, for instance. As dreadful as it may look like, there is a way to get off, using acetone. Do not use nail polish remover for this purpose!

However, be very careful with it when cleaning your bowling ball at home. Use this acetone on the affected part of the bowling ball only. Even if the glue is completely dried-up, acetone will help soften it, so you can peel it off without stress.

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Can You Use Car Wax on a Bowling Ball?

If you are searching for a quick but inexpensive way to get your bowling ball all shiny and fresh look, do not attempt to use car wax.

Car wax can clog the pores of your bowling ball, and may even affect its overall performance efficiency in a very bad way.

Using quality acetone instead can lead to a better result. Acetone contains a lighter solution that never clogs the pores of a bowling ball surface. It is easier and faster to use too. All you need is a microfiber towel and one of the recommended acetone above.