bowlingball cleaning machines

Question
QUESTION: I am a work-study liaison at a local high school. I work with students that have had little or no work experiences and may have some barriers to employment. I have a student who is graduating this May and is interested in working in a bowling alley. he would like to clean bowling balls,      possibly starting his own business working at first a few hours during Special Olympics and possibly weekends I am researching  what types of cleaning machines or equipment he might need and other Important info such as types of balls that may require special treatment any information in this field would be appreciated

ANSWER: Kathy,
Bowling balls (house balls used by recreational bowlers) as a rule don't need much cleaning. Bowling centers usually have ways for balls returning to customers to get wiped (for oil). Employees in centers will occasionally be used to clean balls.

A machine in the concourse areas of many centers provides a cleaning/
polishing service. Many bowling pro shops provide services to sand, clean and/or polish bowling balls to achieve specific performance results. The process is complicated my the many, many different types and finishes available.  

If your student is interested in bowling there are jobs as a porter/
busboy kind of attendant needed in most centers.

Machinery used in cleaning/sanding/polishing bowling balls are either self contained or a variation of a ball spinner. Spinners rotate at significant speeds (5,000 to 10,000 rpms) and I'd be concerned that accidents could happen. I don't mean to be discouraging but I'd suggest that the job is being done in most places by existing equipment or businesses. Thanks for your question. Good luck to your student.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your help.This is disappointing for me as will my student. He participates in Special Olympics and has enjoyed the activities very much. He is very interested in being his own boss and maintaining a booth to clean bowling balls for tips.I have done some research and did find information about the different finishes and have encouraged my student to read and do more research about finishes, surfices and solvents. to include procedures on how to clean bowling balls. I intend to consult the local pro shop at the bowling alley where my student would like to work.Maybe they can make some suggestions.Can you suggest any reading materials that my student should look in to? again Thank you I look forward to hearing from you.
Kathy Gonzales

Answer
Kathy,
There is some sanding/cleaning/maintenance info on the Ebonite website under maintenance. Storm products in Utah also has some info on their website. Companies are trying to set themselves apart with finishing and surface preparation techniques involving Scotch Brite/3M sanding pads, as well as, Abralon, Abranet and Saair Sanding pads.

Many bowlers do not realize how surface changes effect the performance on different lane conditions.

A company which manufacturers some equipment for the sanding/resurfacing process (Jayhawk Bowling Supply) produced some tips, check out their website; http://www.jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corner/Resurfacing_Tips/resurfacing.html

Thanks for the questions, good luck to your student.