# Can I use white spirits to clean a bearing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [June 11, 2016, 11:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769 "2016-06-11T11:10:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![yomega\_fan\_335](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yomega_fan_335/32/14085_2.png) [@yomega\_fan\_335](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomega_fan_335)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 11:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/1 "2016-06-11T11:10:28Z")
Also, how can I remove most of the residue once I clean the bearing? ---
**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:** [June 11, 2016, 2:35pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/2 "2016-06-11T14:35:51Z")
Yes you can. I use a can of compresses ait to blow the bearing dry. Actually I prefer light fluid. ---
**Author:** ![yomega\_fan\_335](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yomega_fan_335/32/14085_2.png) [@yomega\_fan\_335](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomega_fan_335)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/3 "2016-06-11T15:39:58Z")
I don’t have compressed air. Where can you buy compressed air? I live in Australia FYI ---
**Author:** ![yomega\_fan\_335](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yomega_fan_335/32/14085_2.png) [@yomega\_fan\_335](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomega_fan_335)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/4 "2016-06-11T15:40:29Z")
Is white spirits the same as mineral spirits? ---
**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:** [June 11, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/5 "2016-06-11T16:07:22Z")
Yes. mineral spirits is supposed to be the same as white spirits. I use the canned air used for cleaning computers and keyboards, usually available at computer or electronics stores. Otherwise just blow it out with your breath as much as possible. Dry with a paper towel if needed. ---
**Author:** ![yomega\_fan\_335](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yomega_fan_335/32/14085_2.png) [@yomega\_fan\_335](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomega_fan_335)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 3:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/6 "2016-06-12T03:24:51Z")
> [@jhb8426](#): > > Yes. mineral spirits is supposed to be the same as white spirits. > > I use the canned air used for cleaning computers and keyboards, usually available at computer or electronics stores. Otherwise just blow it out with your breath as much as possible. Dry with a paper towel if needed. How do you dispose of the mineral spirits safely? ---
**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:** [June 12, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/7 "2016-06-12T03:44:51Z")
It takes so little to clean a bearing that I usually just soak it up with a paper towel and let it evaporate on the towel when done. Throw the towel away after it dries. I will get multiple cleanings out of a small amount. But as noted above I prefer lighter fluid. It too evaporates in small amounts. ---
**Author:** ![yomega\_fan\_335](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yomega_fan_335/32/14085_2.png) [@yomega\_fan\_335](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomega_fan_335)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/8 "2016-06-12T16:00:39Z")
> [@jhb8426](#): > > It takes so little to clean a bearing that I usually just soak it up with a paper towel and let it evaporate on the towel when done. Throw the towel away after it dries. I will get multiple cleanings out of a small amount. But as noted above I prefer lighter fluid. It too evaporates in small amounts. Does white spirit get rid of any lube? ---
**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:** [June 12, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/9 "2016-06-12T17:49:40Z")
Yes, it’s a solvent. ---
**Author:** ![yomega\_fan\_335](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yomega_fan_335/32/14085_2.png) [@yomega\_fan\_335](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomega_fan_335)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/10 "2016-06-13T00:26:12Z")
Do you use compressed air after the bearing has dried? ---
**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:** [June 13, 2016, 12:48am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/11 "2016-06-13T00:48:44Z")
No, use the air to blow the solvent out and dry the bearing that way. I usually dab it with a paper towel after that but it’s probably not necessary. ---
**Author:** ![yomega\_fan\_335](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yomega_fan_335/32/14085_2.png) [@yomega\_fan\_335](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomega_fan_335)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2016, 10:02am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/12 "2016-06-13T10:02:50Z")
> [@jhb8426](#): > > No, use the air to blow the solvent out and dry the bearing that way. I usually dab it with a paper towel after that but it’s probably not necessary. Do you leave it in for 10 minutes? Also, do you blow the compressed air towards the exposed balls? ---
**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:** [June 13, 2016, 12:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/13 "2016-06-13T12:40:40Z")
I soak for maybe 10 minutes, shake the bottle. Take the bearing out. Yes blow the air directly on the balls. That’s the whole point of using the air, to dry the balls. ---
**Author:** ![yomega\_fan\_335](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yomega_fan_335/32/14085_2.png) [@yomega\_fan\_335](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomega_fan_335)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/14 "2016-06-16T14:44:52Z")
> [@jhb8426](#): > > I soak for maybe 10 minutes, shake the bottle. Take the bearing out. Yes blow the air directly on the balls. That’s the whole point of using the air, to dry the balls. How much compressed air should you use? ---
**Author:** ![YoYoExpertGarrett](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyoexpertgarrett/32/1543_2.png) [@YoYoExpertGarrett](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoYoExpertGarrett)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/15 "2016-06-16T14:57:21Z")
> [@The Yo mast3r](#): > > How much compressed air should you use? .4 oz ---
**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:** [June 16, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/16 "2016-06-16T15:09:24Z")
> [@The Yo mast3r](#): > > How much compressed air should you use? 30-40 seconds is usually sufficient. A can will last a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Cannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Cannon](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Cannon)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/17 "2016-06-16T15:56:30Z")
I have an air compressor at home that I use :wink: works well for me. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/18 "2016-06-16T16:15:21Z")
If you’re super picky, you’d want a moisture trap on the compressor. The canned air doesn’t have such a thing built-in, either. I am not super picky, and I’ve used both a compressor and also canned air with great success. The canned air doesn’t last as long as I’d like, but what I’d like is magically limitless quantities. :wink: ---
**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:** [June 16, 2016, 4:18pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-use-white-spirits-to-clean-a-bearing/80769/19 "2016-06-16T16:18:31Z")
I used to work at a place that had driers on the compressors. In some applications it’s needed but my home compressor and the cans work just fine in this case.