Cheap and effective, a set of sanding pads is an important bowling accessory to always keep at hand. They’re used to sand and finish your ball’s coverstock down to your preferred grit level and keep your equipment in prime condition.
You can use a sanding pad to help restore your bowling ball to its factory condition by removing the layer of oil that would have built up across the ball’s surface. This helps to keep it clean while taking care of any excess grease that may inhibit your performance and cause slipping.
There’s a huge amount of options out there and it often takes a bit of research to figure out which product or variant is the most suitable for your equipment’s requirements.
This depends on factors such as your ball’s factory finish, its type, and the kind of lane conditions you’re used to playing on.
I’ve done the research and consolidated this list of some of the best options out there for you to weigh up.
Contents
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Bowling Ball Sanding Pads
If you’re in a hurry, you can jump straight into our top picks (these are the bowling ball sanding pads that most people buy).
- Ebonite Abralon Bowling Pads Top Pick
- Mirka Abralon 6″ Bowling Ball Sanding Pads Runner-up
- TruCut Sanding Pads Runner-up
Top 5 Best Bowling Ball Sanding Pads – Our Reviews:
1. Ebonite Abralon Bowling Pads
These bowling pads are a big seller at sports stores and specialty retailers—and with good reason.
Ebonite masters have channeled their know-how and experience as one of the biggest players in bowling ball and accessories manufacturing to deliver this great and effective set of pads.
The design of the Abralon Bowling Pads is highly functional and practical, with the gritted surface on one side and the fabric lining on the other. The fabric is helpful when applying a small amount of water to the ball, depending on the kind of finish the user is trying to achieve.
The pads come in a whole range of grits, so you’re guaranteed to find the right type for your ball’s finish.
Pros
- A wide range of grits
- Durable
- Achieves great results
Cons
- Inconsistent pricing depending on the retailer
2. Mirka Abralon 6″ Bowling Ball Sanding Pads
There’s nothing flashy to see here, just a solid set of great value sanding pads.
The Mirka Abralon Sanding Pads are a time-honored product that’s been by the side of savvy bowlers for decades.
Not affiliated with any big-name bowling manufacturer or embellished with flashy logos, these pads are simply the bare essentials, prioritizing performance over unnecessary fluff or flashiness.
The Mirka Abralon pads are probably the best option for buying in bulk as they are by far the cheapest option out there.
It’s possible to attach the pads onto the end of your sanding accessory thanks to the hooking on the back. They also come in a full range of grits so you’re guaranteed to achieve your desired results.
Pros
- Great value
- Can be used with a variety of sanding accessories
- A full variety of grits
Cons
- Only large boxes available, which may be less than ideal if you’re not a frequent bowler
3. TruCut Sanding Pads
If you’re unsure of what exact sanding pad will best suit your gear, TruCut’s sanding pads may be a good call for you to make.
They come in boxes featuring a varied selection of grits, so you can test the waters and figure out which gets you the best results.
The pads are decently sized too, as they’re big enough to cover a good surface area and help you sand your coverstock quickly and easily.
They get good results in almost any level of moisture, which is helpful if you’re sanding mid-game and trying to cut through oil buildup.
Pros
- A variety of grits in one set
- Well-sized: big enough to cover a decent surface area while being small enough to use on the go
- Can be used on any ball type
Cons
- Not the most suitable option if you’re already set on which grit level to apply
- Grit level markings rub off the pad after repeated use
4. Bowlingball.com Abralon Bowling Ball Sanding & Resurfacing Disc
Sporting the universal standard Abralon surface, the Bowlingball.com entry into the sanding pad sphere is no deviation from the quality expected from such products.
You’ll be able to achieve even and balanced surface pressure thanks to the foam backing, and the front surface is tough enough to give you the results your ball requires.
Like its competitors, it can be used wet or dry and works just as well in between plays as it does in the shop or garage.
Its clean design is visually appealing too, which is a nice bonus even if not an essential factor when choosing a sanding pad.
Pros
- Comes in a full variety of grits
- Clean design
- Firm enough to apply a good amount of pressure
Cons
- Only one choice of grit per pack, so it’s best if you know your requirements before buying
5. SiaAir Sanding Disc
If you’re looking for a top-notch sanding pad at the lowest value, then the SiaAir disc could be a serious contender for you.
Make no mistake, these aren’t geared specifically towards bowling balls, but they’re still a highly-rated pad that can certainly meet the standards expected from bowling-centric sanding products.
They have a grit range of 240 to 4000, so you’ll have no trouble ensuring your ball’s requirements are met.
The design is understated and unassuming, but the results are unmistakable.
The pads are also waterproof, which makes them great in any moisture condition. Plus, they’re washable, so you can get plenty of use out of a single pad.
Pros
- Complete grit range
- Washable and waterproof
- Good value
Cons
- Not designed with bowlers exclusively in mind
Wrap Up
Sanding pads are by no means an immediately obvious addition to your list of bowling provisions, but a vital one to bowling ball maintenance nevertheless.
I’m sure this list has given you plenty to mull over before taking the plunge. It’s hopefully reassuring to know that many of the pads offer a variety of grit levels, so you can test them out on your gear and find the one with the right grit for your bowling ball’s surface.
Note that different bowling styles demand different degrees of sanding. Be sure to keep that in mind when you go to buy and apply the pad to your ball.