Bowling Ball Finish

In the world of bowling, the finish on your ball isn't just a detail—it's a main factor in performance on the lanes. And each manufacturer has their own process to bring that final grit to life before the ball hits the market. It's a world of matte versus shine, a microcosm where the little things aren't so little after all.  

What Is Finish All About?

Now, let's chew on this: “surface is 70% of ball reaction.” That's the gospel in the alleys, but what’s behind these numbers? Why does that cover demand such respect? The layer of polish, or lack thereof, on your ball affects how it moves on the lane and the shape it makes.

It's not just about whether your ball sports a glossy sheen or matte look.  It's about how these textures react to oil and friction.  In the MOTIV product line, we have a range of finishes that vary from 1000 grit sanded up to 5500 grit polished. 

Because we use laser scanners to verify that you get a precision finish at the factory, you'll see that we use LSS and LSP to designate Laser-Scanned Sanded or Laser-Scanned Polished.  We also offer a Factory Finish Guide that provides the exact steps you can use to replicate our MOTIV factory finish for any bowling ball in the product line.  

Dull VS Polished

A sanded matte finish, rough and ready, grips onto the lane, drawing in oil; a polished ball creates a barrier on the lane. This barrier prevents oil absorption and creates separation between the ball and the surface. This keeps its energy coiled like a spring, ready to unleash at the breakpoint. When looking at ball motion and deciding between a dull or polished ball, we must look at ball motion both side to side as well as front to back.

A sanded ball will grip the lane better and give you a smoother ball reaction from start to finish.  A dull ball is best to blend out the variation from oil to dry on the lanes and “blend” the pattern.  A ball with a dull finish moves slower because it uses more energy early on, while a polished ball saves energy for more movement down lane. A sanded finish is designed to provide a predictable, smooth arc.

Nick Pahr from MOTIV says he typically alters the ball's surface to make it smoother and ensure a consistent reaction on the lane. He does this especially when the pattern is unpredictable at the end.

Meanwhile, the polished ball stores energy, ready to release it in a flash. Using polished coverstocks or polishing your solid ball works best when there is friction at the front of the lane. This helps the ball keep its energy and create a stronger motion as it moves from the oiled to the dry part of the lane.

How Often Should I Refinish My Ball?

Maintaining surface on your equipment will play a huge role in seeing consistent ball motion.  Especially if your ball is more matte than mirror, you'll need to give it some regular love—think every 2-3 weeks to keep its texture just right, to keep those microscopic peaks and valleys sharp.  Generally, the lower the grit, the more diligent you will have to be to maintain the finish. 

With polished equipment and higher finishes, this is less of a factor.  However, even with the higher finishes, we must be aware that regular use will dull down the finish, causing the ball to lose motion down lane over time.  

Understanding and adjusting your ball's finish is crucial to maintaining consistent bowling ball reaction. As the bowler, you can control and adjust your game to match the conditions of the lanes.

It is a good idea for any competitive bowlers to always have an array of sanding pads in their bags. Most pro shops or online bowling stores will carry sanding pads along with other bowling supplies.  Keep those sanding pads handy and remember, in this game, how you finish is everything.