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New bowlers are often surprised when they learn that owning your own bowling balls come with the need to maintain and retain both the performance and the looks of your ball. Sanding pads are just one of the consumable equipment you would need in this kind of effort and the best bowling ball sanding pads are often the ones that match your requirements. These include the type of ball you have, the kind of finish you want after using them, as well as the conditions of the lanes you will be using the ball in.
In order to help you find the right sanding pad for your needs, here are some of the most popular options for you to consider.
Table of Contents
# Bowling Ball Sanding Pads Comparison Chart
# Top 5 Best Bowling Ball Sanding Pads
1. Ebonite Abralon Bowling Pads
Ebonite’s Abralon Bowling Pads are one of the most popular sanding pads available at pro shops and online today. Ebonite itself is a known popular maker of bowling balls and bowling equipment, so it is not truly surprising that their sanding pads are of high quality and great value.
Abralon sanding pads are primarily utilitarian in nature, but Ebonite’s product is quite visually appealing with a professional look. The fabric backing of the pads allows the bowler to apply water to the sanding procedure adequately and distribute it when sanding.
This item is offered in a very wide variety of grits, which means you can meaning you can pretty much achieve most of the desired bowling ball finishes with this product. The combination of the cloth and non-woven materials in the product produces a durable and effective tool that bowlers like.
Why We Recommend It
- Ebonite is a great brand and its products are well received by many bowlers.
- The variety of available grits makes it perfect for those who want to try different reactions on their ball.
Other Considerations
- Depending on the store, the pricing on this product varies.
2. Bowlerstore Abralon Sanding Pads
Since sanding pads are disposable, it makes some sense to look for different suppliers for them. Bowling equipment stores themselves prove to be the best places to look for such. Bowlerstore Abralon Sanding Pads-Ser of all 7 Grits are store brand abralon sanding pads that offer great value to bowlers who need all the grits, or those who want to try them out.
Having all of the grit options together means that you’ll have options even if you do not yet know what grit you’ll finally need or want. This item will allow you to have them in reserve for different lane conditions. These pads are made to have consistent scratch patterns across the pad, meaning a better surface on the ball for reliable action.
The pad has a foam center that can be used to hold significant amounts of water that will help in the sanding process for lubrication. Because of the availability of the multiple grits, it would be easier to have aggressive surfaces but smoothed out to reduce any of unwanted bumps or valleys.
Why We Recommend It
- The set provides a great value proposition for those testing sanding pads out.
- Some sets also come with a cleaning fluid.
- Having a lot of varying grit to work with means more variety in the results.
Other Considerations
- The product provides a very basic set of equipment.
- There are a lot of available options similar to this product set.
3. Creating the Difference TruCut Sanding Pads
The variety of sanding products for bowling balls make it difficult for buyers to choose a good one. One of the ways the Creating the Difference TruCut by CTD Sanding Pads | 3 Pack | 500, 1000 and 2000 Grit stands out is through their great price and the generous diameter of the pads.
They come in packs of three different sanding pad grits. The specific five-inch pad size makes the pads great to store in your ball or equipment bag, without too much bulk. The product also works dry or wet, which a great advantage for those who sand their balls at the bowling lanes. The resulting surface from these pads resist the so-called lane shine and creates a reaction that is consistent. Balls that have consistent reaction will likely lead to better performance for the player.
However, though the pads are labeled, the user will be well advised to write the information like the grit on the pad with a marker before using the pad so it won’t get lost over time.
Why We Recommend It
- The CTD pads come in a set with a variety of grits.
- Sanding pads of this size are easy to pack and use even outside of the shop.
- The results are great on most types of balls with the proper technique.
Other Considerations
- The labels on the pad do fade in time and due to use.
4. Bowlingball.com Abralon Bowling Ball Sanding and Resurfacing Disc
The core requirement for good sanding pads used on bowling balls is consistent performance. Any problems in the result will have a direct effect on how the ball will react on the lanes. Fortunately, the bowlingball.com Abralon Bowling Ball Sanding and Resurfacing Disc work, and when it comes to sanding pads, that is what is important.
The pad has the industry-standard abralon surface with a foam core and solid construction for even surface pressure. If you look at this pad from the side, you will notice that it has a significant substance to it, which is appropriate for its purpose. The pads themselves also look great due to the color of the pads. The contrast to otherwise plain bowling equipment makes it easily recognizable and stylish.
Why We Recommend It
- The product is great for those who already know what kind of grit pad they need.
- Different grids produce the appropriate surface when they are used on the balls.
- These pads look great when in use or in your bag and shop.
Other Considerations
- If the buyer is looking to test the effects of a particular grit, buying just one will be an issue.
5. Mirka Abralon 6″ Bowling Ball Sanding Pads
Market standards are created when products deliver the required performance at an appropriate value. The Mirka Abralon 6″ Bowling Ball Sanding Pads meet the standards by which other bowling sanding pads are measured.
These pads come at a great value because in terms of as well as a general brand discount. The lack of branding premium also means that performance is the most important factor in the creation of these tools.
Considered a revolutionary product when it first came into the market, its outstanding performance for bowling ball finishes is really impressive. This item features a foam center that ensures the pressure being applied is distributed throughout the surface of the ball being sanded.
What’s even better is the fact that this product has 20 pads that are backed with the popular hook and loop adhesive, making it compatible with pad holders that are used with power tools. This makes it a great option for those that do sanding professionally, testing grits on new balls, or have a lot of bowling balls to sand in general.
Why We Recommend It
- These pads meet the industry standard for bowling ball abralon pads.
- Hook and loop backed pads are directly compatible with a lot of sanding accessories like holders and powered devices.
- It is often possible to order a mix of different pad grits for each order.
Other Considerations
- There might be too many pads in this pack for a casual buyer.
# Things to Consider Before Buying Bowling Ball Sanding Pads
Many factors can affect the effectiveness of your efforts in sanding a bowling ball. Here are some of the most important factors to weigh in before you even consider touching a ball with a pad.
The first thing to consider is why you would need to sand your bowling ball. For example, sanding a bowling ball for more hook is a legitimate reason to sand your ball. But, this would only work if you match the final finish of your ball to the lane conditions you will be playing in. A rough finish will have more grip earlier and might break too early to be effective.
Meanwhile, if the surface is too smooth, the ball might not even hook when the lanes are wet. Many bowlers make it a point to practice on the lanes first to determine the conditions before they start sanding.
Another thing to consider is the variety of grits to have on hand. Although there is no true downside to having a lot of different grits of sanding pad available, it is much more efficient if you have just the ones you require for each sanding project. Generally speaking, most bowlers only hold on to two or three grit sizes that they like or are familiar with, and only purchase more in special cases.
Unlike bowling ball cleaning pads, sanding pads actually take some material off the bowling ball during every sanding session. This means that there only a limited amount of sanding you can do to a ball before it is no longer advisable or even possible to do. This is why it is important to target a finish that would likely create the best result for the bowler.
This is extremely important in the case of expensive high-performance balls, where replacing the ball would be expensive. However, keep in mind that sanding the ball to retain performance is, in fact, one of the most cost-effective ways of keeping a particular bowling ball in optimum shape to deliver what you need at the lanes.
# Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. When should you use bowling sanding pads?
A. A bowler should start using bowling sanding pads when the performance of the surface of the ball is no longer adequate for the condition of the lanes being used.
Q. How do you use sanding pads on bowling shoes?
A. You can use sanding pads like any other sanding implement: with proper circular motion and as equal pressure across the surface as possible.
Q. How to use Abralon pads on a bowling ball?
A. Abralon pads are sanding pads made to be used in a circular motion along the surface to be sanded. The use of a bowling ball cup will help in preventing the ball from rolling around while being sanded. Clean off the sanding dust as soon as possible, or at least before the next pass, as it will cause unequal sanding if not avoided.
Q. How many different Abralon sanding pads do you need to do a good job in resurfacing a bowling ball?
A. A new bowler can use just one pad, or as many as seven, depending on the condition of the ball as well as the desired kind of surface.
Q. Do I need to polish my bowling ball after sanding it with Abralon pads?
A. Polishing the bowling ball will be up to the personal preference of the bowler as it would still have an effect on the final reactiveness of the ball on the lanes.
Q. How long do Abralon pads last?
A. Abralon pads can last a long time when used sparingly but will run out eventually after several uses. Some pads can be washed to extend their lifespan.
Q. Where to buy Abralon pads?
A. Experienced buyers can buy online while those who have read bowling ball sanding pad reviews will be better informed than those who just read the manufacturers claims.
# Final Thoughts
Bowling is a preference-heavy sport and that fact extends into the maintenance of bowling balls. The best bowling ball sanding pads will be the ones that match the kind of ball you have, the kind of finish you wish to achieve, and the actual conditions of the lanes you will be playing in. Keep these in mind when shopping and you can never truly go wrong.
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Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What is the difference between Ebonite Abralon Pads and Mirka Abralon Pads that bowling ball.com and bowlerstore.com are selling. Are they not they same?