Bowling Ball Resurfacing Instructions

Bowlers looking for a competitive advantage as they bowl in leagues or professionally will buy ball spinners to resurface their bowling balls. The surface of the ball is what is in contact with the lane. Damaged surfaces can create drag or unexpected reactions from the ball. Resurfacing can maximize a bowler's potential to create an accurate hook.

  1. What You'll Need For Resurfacing

    • To resurface you ball, you'll need a ball spinner, preferably one that can spin the ball at two speeds. You'll also need Abralon pads, sandpaper or 3M Scotchbrite pads of varying grits. Some of the most-common grits used are 180, 360, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000. The larger the grit number is, the smoother the finish it will put on a bowling ball. You'll also need bowling ball compound and bowling ball polish.

    What Kind of Resurfacing Will You Need?

    • A polishing with a lower-grit pad will give your ball friction so that it can hold to oily lanes better. Higher-grit polishing is for bowlers who are trying to alter their hooks for regional lane conditions. Each step up in the grit of the pad should allow the ball to travel further down the lane before breaking.

    Resurfacing the Bowling Ball

    • Start the ball spinning on the ball spinner using the low speed. Use the lowest-grit pad you have and hold it with even pressure against the ball. This low-grit pad will take out any damage to the ball caused by the lanes or machines. When the entire ball has been polished that way, you can turn the ball 90 degrees and use the next-higher grit of pad. You will know when you sanded enough when you can't see the cut lines from the resurfacing done by the previous pad. Keep moving up in grit until you reach the one you need. Most bowling balls are fine with 1000 grit resurfacing, but you will need to experiment based on your bowling style, what your bowling ball is made from and where you are bowling.

    Putting on the Finishing Touches

    • Next, you'll want to put the shine on the ball that will allow you to get more speed. Apply the compound to a rag and hold it to the bowling ball while it is turned at the higher-speed setting. This will work the compound into the ball. Once that is down, switch rags and apply polish to the new rag. Then hold the polish against the ball while it is turning at high speed. Now you should have a bowling ball ready to take out everything in its path.