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Bowling Ball Question

tendinghisgarden

14 years ago

I just picked up three bowling balls from our local bowling alley to convert to garden art. I use GE11 glue and half marbles or pennies to cover the bowling balls.

But these bowling balls are all cracked. Has anyone had experience using cracked bowling balls in the garden? Do they crack more in the winter? Should I fill the crack with something? If I should fill in the cracks what product do I use? Thanks. Vicki

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Comments (8)

soxxxx
14 years ago
To patch some things, I use Bondo (located in the automobile section of Walmart, and in auto supply stores.) It is two part. A tube of hardener is supplied on top of the can. The hardner is addded to the gooey base material. The more hardener added, the quicker it sets up. The hardener turns the base pinkish, and the pinker it is the faster it sets up. Directions are on the can. I use paper plates and popsicle sticks and toss them when finished.

It can be sanded easily.

I sound like a commercial.
excessfroufrou
14 years ago
Thanks for the info soxxx, I am getting ready to patch and paint a jumping horse and now I know what to use to patch the holes from the handles and footrest.
Syble
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Its actually the adhesive that can eat the mirror backing off and make it spotty. I personally like that effect-it looks antique. Solutions to that are to either seal the mirror with miror sealant before gluing or use proper adhesive. (Loctite silicone sealant and adhesive for example.) The e 6000-I used that once upon a time before I met silicone and it held up very well thru all kinds of weather so it will probably be fine. Next time-get silicone, its cheaper than e 6000 anyway. Grouting--I like to mix my grout dry-nice and thick, not runny. Dryer grout is easier to apply and clean. Smoosh it in all the spaces, wait a few minutes-and I mean a few, especially if its hot, and with a slightly damp spong or crumpled newspaper remove the extra. wait till it sets up a bit and clean it better. (so you dont remove it from the spaces). Its not hard and everyone kind of develops their own way to do it. Good luck!
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dulldecorator
14 years ago
I hate it when my balls crack...
TwoMonths
14 years ago
I have never added to mine. the color was so nice that I just put in the garden among plants. But I had two crack. One was black but it ended up a dark green swirly design. It cracked so I took a chisel and hammer (used glasses) and got it all off. The inside of course was 2 inches or so small but it was so cool. Looks like a planet. I am not sure what I will do with it in the spring. Oh you can get bondo in a plastic bucket ready to use...can sand and stain or paint. good luck.
akasjs
14 years ago
I had a couple of cracked bowling balls in the past. I tried filling in the crack with wood filler but it shrunk and the crack is visible again. I just told the recipients of those two balls to keep them in a sheltered spot. One of them (my Mom) keeps hers in the sun room. I'm not sure about the other one.

Other balls that I've had outdoors for years were not cracked to begin with and have held up fine, except for losing the occasional marble.

Best wishes!
beck_wi
14 years ago
I would also try to be sure the crack is facing down when you are finished with it.... that way water can't get in accidentally and freeze and crack the ball further.
Even though I cover my balls with foil first, I still put the holes on the bottom to prevent ice.
tendinghisgarden
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for your advice. The crack is all the way around the bowling ball and approximately 1/2" deep. I may just decide to get rid of it rather than risk the expense and time of decorating it.
schoolhaus
14 years ago
Have you thought about cutting the ball in half or where it is cracked and paint it to look like a lady bug. I saw some balls painted as lady bugs on this site, not quite sure where though. Even if the ball halves aren't equal, that wouldn't matter as the painting would cover up everything.

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