How to Remove Oil From a Bowling Ball With a Hair Dryer

Over time, bowling balls become covered with the oil they pick up off of the lanes at bowling alleys. If too much of this oil gets into the ball's surface, it can affect the way the ball reacts to certain lane conditions, making it difficult to play predictably and consistently. Some professional bowlers use specialized baking ovens to remove the oil from their bowling balls, but it can be just as effective for an amateur to use a handheld tool such as a hair drier. Although it takes a little longer than baking, it is far more effective than just wiping the ball off with an old towel.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean towels
  • Hair drier
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plug in the hair drier and fold up a towel and place it on a flat surface. Place the bowling ball on this towel to prevent it from rolling off of your work surface.

    • 2

      Turn on the hair drier to its highest setting and point the blower at the bowling ball. It will take a few minutes of applying steady heat to the ball, but if you look close, you will notice the ball beginning to sweat where the heat is directed. It appears like a glossy skin on the surface of the ball.

    • 3

      Wipe the oil off of the ball as it sweats from the surface. Use a clean towel to remove the oil.

    • 4

      Turn the ball occasionally, making certain that you work all the way around the ball's circumference. It isn't critical that you remove all traces of oil from the ball, but getting most of it will significantly improve your bowling performance and ball control. Continue heating and wiping the ball until it becomes more difficult to get the ball to release its oil. This is when you know you have removed enough oil. Allow the ball to cool completely before putting it away.