# Bearing cleaning question **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [January 12, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937 "2014-01-12T20:59:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Raigo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/raigo/32/1446_2.png) [@Raigo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Raigo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/1 "2014-01-12T20:59:04Z")
I cleaned two of my ct bearings and haven’t noticed an increased flick spin time or the bearings getting any quieter. Am I cleaning it wrong? I’m using studio35 100%acetone nail polish remover, And I’m putting it in a contact lens case when cleaining ---
**Author:** ![jbritter3](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jbritter3/32/1265_2.png) [@jbritter3](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jbritter3)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/2 "2014-01-12T21:09:14Z")
Did u deshield the bearings? Did u let dry fully? Did u put lube in it? ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/3 "2014-01-12T21:18:34Z")
In my experience cleaning a bearing will not make it run quieter, usually makes it louder. Lube makes it quiet. ---
**Author:** ![Erik\_kerber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/erik_kerber/32/7939_2.png) [@Erik\_kerber](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Erik_kerber)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/4 "2014-01-12T21:27:39Z")
Yup Make sure the bearing is deshielded and then clean it in acetone and then put some lube in it ---
**Author:** ![Yummy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yummy/32/14065_2.png) [@Yummy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yummy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/5 "2014-01-12T21:28:08Z")
Spin time on a flick is also a very dubious measure of real spin time. ---
**Author:** ![Erik\_kerber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/erik_kerber/32/7939_2.png) [@Erik\_kerber](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Erik_kerber)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/6 "2014-01-12T21:31:49Z")
> [@Yummy](#): > > Spin time on a flick is also a very dubious measure of real spin time. Very True ---
**Author:** ![Raigo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/raigo/32/1446_2.png) [@Raigo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Raigo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/7 "2014-01-12T21:33:06Z")
Both sides were dishielded I’m not really concerned about spin times , its just that I’ve heard many people saying their bearing spun and played way smoother after cleaning, but I barely feel any difference. Should I clean it In a bugger container like a jar? ---
**Author:** ![jbritter3](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jbritter3/32/1265_2.png) [@jbritter3](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jbritter3)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/8 "2014-01-12T21:37:57Z")
> [@Raigo](#): > > Both sides were dishielded > I’m not really concerned about spin times , its just that I’ve heard many people saying their bearing spun and played way smoother after cleaning, but I barely feel any difference. > Should I clean it In a bugger container like a jar? it will spin longer before lube, smoother? not imo, and bigger container wont change anything ---
**Author:** ![Erik\_kerber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/erik_kerber/32/7939_2.png) [@Erik\_kerber](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Erik_kerber)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/9 "2014-01-12T21:38:06Z")
> [@Raigo](#): > > Both sides were dishielded > I’m not really concerned about spin times , its just that I’ve heard many people saying their bearing spun and played way smoother after cleaning, but I barely feel any difference. > Should I clean it In a bugger container like a jar? A film canester works best in my opinion but if you dont have one around Find a contaner that is made of plastic thats sturdy enough Because if the plastic is to flimsy the Acetone might crack it ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 1:59am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/10 "2014-01-13T01:59:23Z")
> [@jbritter3](#): > > it will spin longer before lube, smoother? not imo… I’ve always found that a bit of lube smoothes a bearing. A dry bearing runs very rough to me. > [@Erik\_kerber](#): > > A film canester works best in my opinion but if you dont have one around Find a contaner that is made of plastic thats sturdy enough > > Because if the plastic is to flimsy the Acetone might crack it Generally acetone will melt most plastic containers. Mineral spirits or light fluid do not. ---
**Author:** ![jbritter3](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jbritter3/32/1265_2.png) [@jbritter3](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jbritter3)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/11 "2014-01-13T02:02:38Z")
> [@jhb8426](#): > > I’ve always found that a bit of lube smoothes a bearing. A dry bearing runs very rough to me. I’d agree with this, that’s what I was trying to say but I don’t think I was very clear. ---
**Author:** ![Erik\_kerber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/erik_kerber/32/7939_2.png) [@Erik\_kerber](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Erik_kerber)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/12 "2014-01-13T17:37:50Z")
> [@jhb8426](#): > > I’ve always found that a bit of lube smoothes a bearing. A dry bearing runs very rough to me. > > Generally acetone will melt most plastic containers. Mineral spirits or light fluid do not. Hmm I use acetone when I clean my bearings and it its not melting my film canister maby film canisters are made out of a different type of plastic ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/13 "2014-01-13T18:40:37Z")
Certain types of plastic are unaffected by acetone. You’d have to look it up, but I think if the “recyclable material” symbol has a 5 or higher inside of it, acetone won’t damage it. I use contact lens case, or if I need/want something bigger, a medical container the same size as what they use to collect urine samples. :wink: (no, it’s not a used container!! Got it new!) ---
**Author:** ![tzighy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@tzighy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/tzighy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/14 "2014-01-24T01:11:24Z")
I didn’t feel a difference with acetone either. Lighter fluid, on the other hand, made my bearings smoother. At least that’s what it felt like ---
**Author:** ![Erik\_kerber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/erik_kerber/32/7939_2.png) [@Erik\_kerber](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Erik_kerber)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-question/62937/15 "2014-01-24T17:39:25Z")
> [@tzighy](#): > > I didn’t feel a difference with acetone either. Lighter fluid, on the other hand, made my bearings smoother. At least that’s what it felt like Oh Interesting