Can Bowling Balls Absorb Water?

When it comes to reactive resin bowling balls, we know that they can absorb oil into the coverstock material and that's where the hooking performance comes from...
So if a ball can absorb oil, can it absorb water as well? And if so, how does it impact performance? And if it does impact performance, can you extract the water out of a bowling ball the same way as you do oil using heat? Will this bring the original performance back?
I set out to find the answers in this video!
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[@davidtaranto9084]

i use to soak a ball in hot water with some dawn in it for like 30 minutes. a lot of oil came out of it. greasy and nasty.

[@brunsnick]

It’s a good and safe way to do it. A little dawn goes a long way.

[@1985supramk2]

Did the water absorb into the shell, or did it go down the thumb hole and absorb into the 'dynamicore'

[@brunsnick]

Great question. The way to test that would be to submerge an undrilled ball and measure the increase over the same time period. If it’s a lot less, then it absorbed more through the core material.

[@Bowlstan]

Same thought, I was interested in what may have done the absorbing.

[@ronselectrical8177]

The shop I used to get my ball cleaned had a oven and a tank that heated up the water. It also was ultrasonic. Not shure if that's better way to get oil out than the oven.

[@scottjones4635]

I’ve heard of guys covering the holes with waterproof tape to keep water from getting into the core. Haven’t tried it myself.

[@jacksonez]

I love these crazy bowling science experiments that you do. Please do more!!

[@thebigeasy8609]

Good to know BrunsNick! Because I de-oil my stuff in water in a 5 gallon bucket with a Sous Vide. This was very informative.

[@BBBYpsi]

Sous vide is a great idea. Was the sous vide part in water oily?

[@jtjt1836]

@@BBBYpsi I mean... it's gotta be, right?

[@ninety9million928]

Do an experiment to see what would cause bowling balls to crack... Hot, Cold, Frozen, Thawed, Room temp, etc!!!!!

[@MrPottsTeaching]

A Ball will CRACK if it Dries out like your LIPS or Hands. When ever all the Moisture leaves a REACTIVE ball it will CRACK!!! A Urethane ball doesnt do this so it wont crack lol hahah ;D

[@newbloodink]

Bowling science with Prof. Nick...I thought about this, was worried of the water getting into the holes and messing up the inside and maybe even corking them. But since you preformed the hard test I'm more confident in doing some hot water testing of my own.

[@TuPapaChief]

"Why am I doing this experiment" " I don't Know"

[@William-farm]

Y’all talked about using the dishwasher the other day. I’ve been doing that for over 20 years I plug the holes and use the heat. Hasn’t negatively affected any ball I have done as a matter of fact they are like new. Hooks like a new ball as well. I also put my bowling balls in those magnum bowling bags. I have a ball spinner as well.

[@brunsnick]

To each their own I just would never clean a petroleum product in an appliance I clean my dishes in or cook my food in.

[@dominicfrabotta565]

Agree with you on that. Why poison your self potentially. That's what a steam batch in the oven does basically. Set your oven to the lowest temp, add a pan with a lil water. If your ovens lowest temp is 250, you're going to crack the door open, air it out. Use a therm, take the temp once it's 120-130, place the ball, or balls in there. Leave for 15 minutes or so, remove. Wipe, and bam. Detoxed ball.

[@mhub3576]

I occasionaly have soaked my 1992 Rhino Pro in hot water with Dawn Ultra dish soap to remove the oil. I then hit it with a 250 grit wet/dry sanding pad i use for woodworking. Seems to do the trick.😂

[@cyan0xide]

A boy without mischief is like a bowling ball without a liquid centre - Homer Simpson

[@TraumaER]

I used to wash my ball in the dishwasher and it lasted for years.

[@VincentsVideos]

lmao no way

[@TraumaER]

@@VincentsVideosyes way. Still have it today - XFactor Vertigo. Don’t use it because it has a weight hole.

[@vance836]

Hey Nick. Pretty cool experiment. I have another one for you if it hasnt been mentioned already. Try the temperature experiment where you refrigerate the ball and then take it directly to the lanes and throw some shots with Specto. Then, put the ball in the rejuvinator for a bit and then straight to the lanes and throw some shots to show the difference in ball temperature on lane performance. You do get those people that leave their balls in the car regardless of the weather outside. Would be cool to see the difference between a ball at say 50 degrees and the same ball at 100 degrees how different they would be. I realize the temperature would get back to room temperature after a certain amount of time. But wonder if that would be an experiment worth trying.

[@brunsnick]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5u9qItuq56AjaMsi=BXIXpGH8L_6uHG8O

[@ripvanrevs]

I just cleaned up my dad's Ebonite Tornado rubber ball from the 60s. Semi fingertip grip. Going to throw it Monday and do a video! Hope it didn't absorb water being outside the last 20 years.

[@brunsnick]

Not sure if rubber material is capable but have fun either way!!

[@avos5]

Some rubber balls had a cork filler in em, didnt they? Definitely agree an undrilled ball wouldnt, but it might depend on filler

[@studiobsquared299]

That was really interesting..awesome job on this

[@NOT_PENIS_CREAM]

Video idea: does spider tack on the fingers increase rev rates like it does for baseball?

[@koxxmoxx]

I think it would’ve been interesting for you to throw the other zigzag down as well to compare the hook potential and have a ‘control’

[@iandobinson8049]

Did the shell absorb water or did the core ? The core (especially in the lighter weights) is quite porous. Would like to see you do the same weight test with an undrilled ball

[@jgoodsurf1]

yeah, the thumb hole was submerged.

[@MrZzstop]

I de-oil my balls in a bucket of warm water, heated with a sous vide (which keeps the temperature constant and circulates the water too). I plug the thumb hole with a rubber stopper, and have the finger holes vertically up, just above the water line. That way none of the holes are in contact with water and so stay dry. I wonder if Nick had done it this way if the ball would've still absorbed water, instead of submerging all three holes as he did?

[@brunsnick]

Only one way to find out!

[@michaeljamrozy4299]

The coverstock is porous... I'm going to say yes (it will still take some water your way), but that's purely a guess

[@thebigeasy8609]

Me too. Works great and cheap in comparison to most other methods.

[@FredSoDak]

Thank you for the informative video. Have you ever tested an asym layout with the high rg psa/mb as the pin & the low rg pin as the psa? Your preferred layout would really showcase any differences.

[@brunsnick]

Great idea!

[@sgtusmcrecon0341]

That make sence. I wasn't thinking that ty. Keep on giving us great content brother

[@AV8R_1]

People who don't have reviver ovens will often use a sink full of hot soapy water to sweat the oil out. Question is, is the water getting in through your coverstock, or through your finger holes?

[@hawjfamily321]

Great vid. I've always wondered.

[@ChristopherMazzarelli]

Hey Nick what are the odds of you letting me use that zigzag and see how long it lasts now that you’ve soaked it I’ll gladly throw it for a while and see if it had any durability issues with time (Yes I am just trying to get a free zigzag since I know you don’t usually throw 14😂)

[@theviceroy7692]

I wonder if you heated up the ball and then soaked it if it would absorb more. I would assume it would make the pores open more, like when balls leak oil when you leave them in a hot car.

[@brunsnick]

It would cool down immediately in water. Plus, it soaked for 2 weeks.

[@KamikazePidgey]

If you put one side of the ball on a wet towel/ soak half the ball in a pail, will the absorbed water difference cause it to behave like having a weight hole?

[@brunsnick]

Not really. The weight hole would remove mass and really change the differentials in the ball.

[@ScottyThompson-lt7wl]

Cool video talk tech bowling ball Brunsnick

[@i8910midnight]

Would love to see a part 2 of whether it will prevent oil from being absorbed.

[@dominicfrabotta565]

I honestly think you should do the test, with fully water logging, then trying to get oil in. Not going to lie. If being water logging doesn't affect the performance; then if water logged balls, can't take oil in, and continue to have the same performance.... You will have literally changed bowling forever. You will have pros/amateurs, etc, soaking their balls for 2 weeks pre tourney. And if this is the case, then.... No dead balls. Balls will last longer, and your sponsor probably doesn't like that.

[@sgtusmcrecon0341]

Do a ball with no finger or thumb drilled

[@liquidrock2u]

Can you do this again, but tape or plug up the holes so no water gets in them?

[@brunsnick]

Likely no but I can prove that an undrilled ball will absorb water all the same.

[@GrumpaBaggins]

I've been curious on how to properly clean my balls (that sounds so weird...) at home, without any true bowling tech. Some of the comments got me thinking about when my daughter would forget her ball in the car, and after humility and temperature changes it would discolor or crack into pieces. That was so frustrating! I can laugh about it now, but it also instilled in me to take care of my own. So, mixed messages in the comments aside, what truly is the best/safest way to clean a bowling ball? 🤔

[@williambroome5204]

Interested to see if you’d get the same result with a urethane. They don’t absorb oil really but will they absorb water?

[@brunsnick]

Nope they won’t.

[@machinethesun9243]

Would the water displace the oil.

[@mavbeginner]

I typically use the jayhawk detox machine to remove the oil from the ball. I love it!!!

[@jamesw1116]

im looking to buy one this year actually

[@travishanson166]

Now soak in a bucket of oil and see how heavy the ball gets when oil logged. Lol

[@park-n-sonsarchery9570]

Since oil and water don’t mix , did you get the oil out before you soaked it in water ? Maybe the oil the repelled the water

[@brunsnick]

Only had 2 games on the ball tops.

[@park-n-sonsarchery9570]

@@brunsnickThanks Brother , love your stuff .. it’s fun to watch your enthusiasm

[@1985supramk2]

I wonder if the water raised the rg just a little bit.

[@joecerar9303]

Did you check surface hardness after the hot water or revivor test? Did you try dawn in water?

[@brunsnick]

No to both. Wasn’t trying to extract oil, it was essentially brand new.

[@joecerar9303]

@@brunsnick my question related to hardness. Is it possible both balls were 5-10 lower on the durometer?

[@brunsnick]

Didn’t check hardness.

[@KennyGrinols]

Curious if a dull sanded hook monster would absorb more water weight.

[@MrPottsTeaching]

The Water Logged Ball had more back end SNAP!!!! I like the Water ball better lmao hahahah ;D Tha EVAP ball was SOFTER!!! Higher Speed Bowlers could benefit from the WATER!!! lol hahah ;D

[@michaelsnow4274]

Next up, put some lane oil on a paper towel and put oil onto the ball. Less hook hack?

[@vongrims952]

Did the water in the ball impact the amount of oil absorption?

[@brunsnick]

Hard to say without a test.

[@JoeBowler300]

How about putting a bowling ball in an ultrasonic cleaner? Would that work? Help remove the oil. Do you have the means to try this experiment?

[@brunsnick]

Wasn’t trying to remove oil in this video, this ball was basically brand new.

[@JoeBowler300]

That’s true! I guess we have a subject for a future video. 😎

[@matthewlaframboise]

Checkig the comments for anyone talking bout layouts... 😂😂

[@Swamprowdy]

Why?

[@avos5]

Is this the new "soaker"

[@joshuagydesen914]

Hey , I have 2 solid covers balls that change color after a hot water bath with dish soap, widow 2.0 solid and an envy that does it also really werid over time it goes back to it original color

[@brunsnick]

Lower the amount of soap you use. Only need a drop or two. A resurface will reduce the phasing of what you’re seeing.

[@dominicfrabotta565]

130 isn't enough to evaporate water though. Scientifically. There's something else going on. But good to know, I have a few balls I through into the river after nationals when I first quit bowling. Might have to grab them back.

[@brunsnick]

Do you have boiling and vaporizing mixed up with evaporation? Water will evaporate at pretty much any temp above freezing, no?

[@Bowlstan]

Nick creates a video to show soaking your ball in a bucket of water for 2 weeks makes it hook a lot more. Then this water will freeze in the winter causing the ball to crack as the water expands and making us buy another bowling ball. That’s my conspiracy theory!

[@brunsnick]

I hope you were wearing a tinfoil hat while typing this 😁

[@CliftonDon74]

Good one. Does this theory hold water? 😂

[@brunsnick]

lol nice reference 🤣

[@MrYuk-lm3xp]

Let's say a bowler has a bit of an anger issue 40 years ago and threw 5 or 6 balls that didn't perform upto expectations into a nearby tributary do you think those balls would be water logged or still usable if dredged up🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@brunsnick]

Go fish them up!

[@cryptonator1988]

Is this legal to make your ball heavier by soaking in water? Im sure they will ban this like everything else lol.. i used to soak my balls to clean the oil off and sand my bowling balls lol.. 😂

[@sgtusmcrecon0341]

I doubt the ball if it was solid no holes it wouldn't absorb water

[@brunsnick]

Say again?

[@sgtusmcrecon0341]

was saying would it if it was solid no finger or thumb holes

[@sgtusmcrecon0341]

Typo in original msg sorry

[@sgtusmcrecon0341]

Me and my girl watch you videos religiously.

[@brunsnick]

@@sgtusmcrecon0341 thank you! I’ll do a quick test on water absorption with an undrilled ball. I think the results will be the same. While the outer core material is porous, the surface area of the holes is a lot less than the surface of the ball.

[@kevinquick4844]

But will the water force oil out of a well used ball

[@clayton_schrimpf]

Is this PBA legal?? 😂

[@enniojosefelicecisneros3417]

oil yes, water no.

[@brunsnick]

?

[@enniojosefelicecisneros3417]

@@brunsnick or am I wrong ???? Nick ??? is that true to the bowling balls absorves water ???

[@brunsnick]

@@enniojosefelicecisneros3417 did you watch the video?

[@enniojosefelicecisneros3417]

@@brunsnick no my friend , I'll go check .

[@jameskinchen2148]

Pointless. Needs to be done on an undrilled hall. Come on.

[@avos5]

Nah, seems relevant for everybody who uses water of any kind to their drilled balls to clean or de oil em etc

[@jameskinchen2148]

@@avos5 Doesn’t prove the shell absorbed water if the water was able to percolate to the core via the holes. The inside of the holes is different material from the cover stock.

[@avos5]

​@@jameskinchen2148 He mentions that it was inspired by a real experience he had when he was younger It didnt have anything to do with whether the cover alone absorbed or not, thats a different question

[@brunsnick]

Who uses an undrilled ball?

[@jameskinchen2148]

@@avos5 He stated the cover absorbing water.

[@boober42]

Very interesting!!! Good video.

[@JonnLewiss]

over time coverstock exposed to air break down chemicals used in ball, or is this a myth, is or will same be true with water exposure or high humid conditions, just an after thought watching your video, amount of water absorbed was interesting, personally thought it would be much more.🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣🟤⚫🔘 what will color of your next bowling ball be?