can i use isopropyl alcohol to clean my yoyo bearings?
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Yes 91%+ thats 91% alcohol and 9% water… so the higher % of alcohol the better. 
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i have 70% lmao… let me see if i have any higher.
Edit: i have some 91%. thank you!
Lighter fluid also works
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i use that
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I’ve read on this site that many people are fans of acetone (e.g. nail polish remover) for cleaning bearings. Also worth mentioning that it is a pretty nasty chemical and should be treated as such.
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thank you!
i can’t get the shield off… found the slot in it and have been prying at it for a half hour…
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yup, this describes all of my bearings, the shield seems to be glued on
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I use a safety pin, and, keep in mind the ends of the C clips are cut differently. I try to get the end of the pin between the end of the clip and the inside surface of the outer bearing race. I try a couple of times, if I am unable to get it out, I switch to the other end of the C clip. Normally it just takes a few seconds to deshield the bearing.
I can try to make a video later today if you think it would be helpful.
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that would be helpful… I tried switching pins but that didn’t help.
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Acetone (nail polish remover) works too.
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thank you!
The angled cuts on c clip 15948426966201165724885|375x500
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When a pin won’t work for me, I use a seam ripper/cutter. One handy sewing tool.
It’s designed to undo a bad seam by cutting the thread. Super fine tip on it.
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You don’t need to take the shields off to clean and lube. Any debris that got in w/ the shields on will come out in the solvent w/ shields on. And you can use that same principle to lube the bearing, just set it on something, put a drop or so of lube onto the bearing (shields) and wait a bit. Wipe off the excess and you’re good.
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It is my opinion that attempting to maintain bearings is a waste of time and effort. Once you start messing with a bearing; it will never be the same.
All these problems can be solved quickly and cheaply: buy a new bearing.
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I don’t clean my bearings. I just lube them. If the go out they’ll clean back up if you use them enough.
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got them off. 
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the bearing spins less then before… going to try to paper method.
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