Bowling Balls

A This to That user wrote:

I want to glue half-marbles to a bowling ball, I saw one and it was beautiful, the glue has to be able to take the Florida heat and storms, please help.

We didn't get back to her quick enough and she forged ahead before we could get back to her:

I used industrial strength E6000, it is a slow and tedious process, as if you try to put too many on at once, they slide, but boy, is it ever worth it...I saw on Carol Duval a lady did one with broken dishes, and she used tile glue, then finished it off with grout..it was nice...the bowling ball held its marbles outside in the Florida sun and storms for 2 years, a few began to pop off, and I was moving, so I left it behind...I bought a large bag of half marbles at the dollar store, of course, for a dollar...if you go to a floral store, the cost 4 times that much...it was the talk of the trailer park, everyone loved it....hope this helps.

So E6000 is close but not perfect.

We will have to look into the E6000, but the question we have is what exactly are bowling balls made out of? Also, the above user might not have washed the grease off her ball, or let it properly set before setting it outside, etc. etc. so there are just too many variables. We are looking for anyone's input on this.

Another one of our delightful users points out:

Early bowling balls were made of a hard rubber compound, but most of today's balls are one variety or another of a plastic resin of differing hardnesses.

Today's bowling alley finish (oil) can be absorbed by the ball, and can be cleaned by simply using nail polish remover on a grease free cloth.

Good stuff! As usual, preparation is important.