# Can I use charcoal lighter fluid?

**URL:** <https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-charcoal-lighter-fluid/426068>\
**Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\
**Created:** [May 29, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-charcoal-lighter-fluid/426068 "2025-05-29T19:52:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![YounisA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/younisa/32/701270_2.png) [@YounisA](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YounisA)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-charcoal-lighter-fluid/426068/1 "2025-05-29T19:52:55Z")

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Can I use charcoal lighter fluid to clean my yoyo bearings?

Genuinely curious cuz I’m not tryna make a store run 😭 I live 45 min from town

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**Author:** ![kevinm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kevinm/32/697_2.png) [@kevinm](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kevinm)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-charcoal-lighter-fluid/426068/2 "2025-05-29T20:02:30Z")

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From what I can read, it should cut through the oil and dirt, don’t know if it would evaporate without leaving a film, but it’s worth a try.

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**Author:** ![Splizacular](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/splizacular/32/640487_2.png) [@Splizacular](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Splizacular)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-charcoal-lighter-fluid/426068/3 "2025-05-29T20:15:42Z")

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charcoal lighter fluid does not evaporate cleanly

edit: i should elaborate. it will still get dirt and things out of the bearing, but it wont evaporate cleanly and will leave a filmy residue behind. that residue will create friction as well as give a place for new dirt and dust to adhere. it may work short term if you really are in a pinch. ultimately you want a solvent that is highly volatile (evaporates readily at room temp) and does so cleanly without leaving residue. your best bet is something like acetone or 90% alcohol

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**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-charcoal-lighter-fluid/426068/4 "2025-05-30T01:47:24Z")

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It can but you may need to use the lighter method which you should be careful with as you can mess up the cage in some cheaper bearings