When you decide to go bowling at the last minute with your friends and realize later that you forgot your ball at home, it can be a huge turn-off. It might take away all your excitement for the game and demotivate you.
You might think it would be better to leave your balling ball in the car. But, as these balls are vulnerable to damage, a question arises, can you do it?
It is not advisable to leave your bowling ball in the car as it is not a safe option. The varying internal temperature of the vehicle can prove harmful to the ball, and it might crack under the contraction and expansion. Humidity can also build inside the car affecting ball movement and performance. It is impossible to monitor the car temperature, putting your sphere at risk of splitting.
A bowling ball is worth the time and effort you put into taking care of it properly. This article will tell you about the downsides of storing the bowling sphere in your car. Let’s read!
Is It A Good Idea To Leave Bowling Ball In The Car?
If you like playing bowling ball often, keeping the ball in the trunk of your car might seem a convenient option. However, many people are unaware that extreme temperatures can significantly damage the ball.
As cars get frequently exposed to hot and cold temperatures, it makes them an unsafe place for storing your bowling ball. When subjected to heat, the ball material will start softening, while a frozen ball tends to become harder. If you recently noticed a change in its movement, it might be because you are keeping the ball in the wrong spot.
So, it is better to avoid leaving the bowling ball inside the car for an extended period. The drastic temperature change can cause cracking and separation from the core. As a result, your ball will get ruined, and you do not want that to happen.
The Impact Of Varying Car Temperature:
Bowling balls might look hard on the outside, but they are sensitive to extreme temperature changes. When you leave them in the car unchecked, they are prone to suffer in a warm or cold environment. The ball material tends to expand and contract due to varying temperatures and cracks at the end.
Bowling balls have oil coating, and when you let them sit in the car in hot weather, they start losing them. While it might sometime help in ball bleeding or cleaning, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause irreparable damage to the ball.
Similarly, the ball starts turning hard if you let it stay inside the car in the cooler months. This cold sphere is hard to play with on the lanes, uncomfortable to hold and performs poorly. The ball will, most likely, skid more down the floor and not hook much. So, if you want to maintain your ball in a good state, you must not leave it in your vehicle.
What Happens When You Store Bowling Ball In Car?
As already mentioned, your car tends to accentuate the external temperature. For instance, if it’s hot outside, the inside of your vehicle is hotter. The windows and metal have terrible insulation capability, creating a risky environment for your ball. So, it might get cracked or oily from the harsh internal temperatures.
Besides, it is not a safe idea to carry your bowling ball with you in the car. When you drive, the ball or the bag you store it in bounces around. It can prove dangerous because it might become a cause of an accident. Besides, it is also damaging to the ball.
Vehicles can turn quite humid and can deteriorate your ball performance. Your bowling ball needs to be in a humidity-controlled environment to maintain its longevity.
Leaving Bowling Ball In The Car For Bleeding:
Although it is never a recommendation to leave your bowling ball in the car, there is one situation in which you can do it. As the vehicle tends to get excessively hot on a warm day, it can prove helpful in the ball bleeding procedure. In simple words, bleeding refers to oil extraction that build-ups on and within the ball with time.
You can take advantage of the high internal temperature of the car and use it to remove the oil from the ball. All you have to do is place the ball on a microfiber towel on the floor of your car, and it will do the rest itself. After a while, you will see grease oozing out of the ball. It is the right time to wipe all the residue off.
However, achieving the right temperature for this process can be challenging. Also, if you allow the ball to sit in the car for too long, it may result in the core separating from the coverstock. So, you have to be extra cautious with this technique.
Is It Possible To Keep The Ball In The Car Safely?
Ideally, it is better to store your bowling ball in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment. As evident, a car does not fulfill these criteria at all. However, sometimes it can be difficult to drive back home to pick up your ball and then move ahead towards a bowling alley. If you face a similar situation, you can consider storing the ball in your car, but under one condition.
In warmer weather, ventilate your vehicle well so that heat does not build up during the day. It is one way to keep the internal temperature lower. It will minimize the chances of damage to the bowling ball up to some degree. However, it can be challenging to maintain a balanced temperature throughout the day.
For (My) Conclusion:
Keeping your bowling ball in the car can do more harm than good and adversely impact your game if the weather is not in your favor. Usually, the ball core is of a different material than the coverstock. So, they will have a different rate of expansion and contraction in warm or cooler temperatures, resulting in core separation. Bowling balls are not cheap, and you will want to prevent such a disastrous situation.
