# Acetone bearing cleaning
**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203
**Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance
**Created:** [December 29, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203 "2011-12-29T04:55:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Floosh](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Floosh)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/1 "2011-12-29T04:55:13Z")
I was watching a video online and the person said “I clean my bearing in acetone”, I have loads Of acetone at my house and I could use it I am just wondering if it is useful to clean my bearing so I don’t damage my bearing if so could you tell me all the steps to cleaning the bearing
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### Author:  [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 5:05am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/2 "2011-12-29T05:05:02Z")
Follow it up with some Terrapin X Dry Play bearing lube.
That should be a hint and a half that acetone can be a good cleaner.
I’m intending to test on a bearing with this soon. I’m gonna clean it really good with mineral spirits, dry it out really good and then play it for a little bit. Then, clean it with acetone and use the dry play bearing lube, put the shields back in and never worry about it ever again!
I have to get me some acetone!
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### Author:  [@Floosh](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Floosh)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/3 "2011-12-29T05:13:35Z")
Could I just use yyj thin lube
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### Author:  [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 6:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/4 "2011-12-29T06:42:58Z")
> [@Floosh](#):
>
> Could I just use yyj thin lube
Sure.
But, I’d recommend you instead use mineral spirits to clean your bearing, dry thoroughly and then use YYJ thin lube. You can substitute lighter fluid for mineral spirits. Skip the acetone.
The Terrapin X Dry Play Lube is only $5! It requires that you clean using acetone.
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### Author:  [@lagg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/lagg)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/5 "2011-12-29T15:24:06Z")
chemically speaking, acetone should work well. ive used it hundreds of times and never had a problem (except the time i accidently left my bearing in the soak for 2 hours. that destroyed it).
mineral spirits and lighter fluid are very heavy solvents. so is acetone. all you really need to clean your bearing is a good solvent. even rubbing alcohal could work.
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### Author:  [@PlasticWhip](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/PlasticWhip)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/6 "2011-12-29T15:33:06Z")
Soap and water never fails on stainless either…
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### Author:  [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/7 "2011-12-29T18:57:20Z")
The only problem w/acetone is that it evaporates fast. This has the possibility of leaving residue in the bearing that may ultimately have adverse effects.
Here’s what Mr. Difeyo has to say about bearing care:
[http://www.dif-e-yo.com/Tech%20Tips.htm](http://www.dif-e-yo.com/Tech%20Tips.htm)
He knows his stuff.
My own preference is zippo lighter fluid or mineral spirits.
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### Author:  [@fjh123](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/fjh123)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/8 "2011-12-29T21:39:25Z")
> [@jhb8426](#):
>
> The only problem w/acetone is that it evaporates fast. This has the possibility of leaving residue in the bearing that may ultimately have adverse effects.
>
> Here’s what Mr. Difeyo has to say about bearing care:
> [http://www.dif-e-yo.com/Tech%20Tips.htm](http://www.dif-e-yo.com/Tech%20Tips.htm)
>
> He knows his stuff.
>
> My own preference is zippo lighter fluid or mineral spirits.
What difference does it make how fast it evaporates. If there is residue on the bearing it simply was not cleaned well.
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### Author:  [@yoyospirit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyospirit)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/9 "2011-12-29T21:43:41Z")
[quote=“PlasticWhip,post:6,topic:33203”]
Soap and water never fails on stainless either…
[/quote
NO!!! Stainless steel is just rust resistant. Stainless steel can still rust. Every time I’ve tried to clean a stainless steel bearing with water, the bearing became loud and responsive.
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### Author:  [@Schnayke](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Schnayke)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/10 "2011-12-29T21:53:12Z")
I use just thin lube, have for years now, and my 09’ severe gets 4 min spins on a drop. Never have a bearing fail. I just don’t see the need to add harsh chemicals too a process where they are not needed. If you are going too use a dry lube it is important too get all other lube out, so chemical processing is likely required.
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### Author:  [@Floosh](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Floosh)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/11 "2011-12-30T00:31:42Z")
Thx for all the tips, but could you add all the specific step’s because I have a hard time taking every one tips so just do it as if you were reading an instruction book because all I have right now is acetone, evoporates fast and thin lube so please leaving specific instructions
Thx, Floosh
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### Author:  [@PlasticWhip](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/PlasticWhip)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2011, 1:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/acetone-bearing-cleaning/33203/12 "2011-12-30T01:24:42Z")
> [@yoyospirit](#):
>
> > [@PlasticWhip](#):
> >
> > Soap and water never fails on stainless either…
>
> NO!!! Stainless steel is just rust resistant. Stainless steel can still rust. Every time I’ve tried to clean a stainless steel bearing with water, the bearing became loud and responsive.
Funny, it always works for me. And John from Terrapin X washes his bearings with dish detergent and water first. Well…, so he said on another forum.