Abstract: A bowling lane dressing apparatus is provided which has a carriage for movement along the bowling lane between the foul line and the pit. Drive wheels are rotatably mounted on the carriage for moving the carriage along the bowling lane by means of drive means connected thereto. A lane buffer roller is journaled on the carriage in lane-contacting relation which extends transversely to the direction of travel. A reservoir is mounted in the carriage for storage of lane-dressing fluid. A transfer roller is mounted in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with the reservoir for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffing roller. Variable speed drive motor is connected to the drive wheels for rotating them at variable speeds to vary the speed of the carriage as it moves along the bowling lane to vary the rate of transfer of fluid to the bowling lane surface by the lane buffer roller.