# How to Clean Your YoYo Bearing **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [March 3, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867 "2009-03-03T16:21:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/81 "2010-04-13T14:40:43Z")
I hope your happy! lol I am. ;D ---
**Author:** ![kyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@kyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kyo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/82 "2010-04-13T15:25:51Z")
yea, it’s totally hilarious that you should be concerned for the safety of a board who’s average age is probably around 12. Kyle ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/83 "2010-04-13T18:11:10Z")
Yeah. I never even read this thread completely. I just commented on the post in front of mine. Then I noticed you posted in it and thought Hmmm. What the heck is he saying about something as simple as cleaning bearings. Glad I looked. ---
**Author:** ![Amdroid](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/amdroid/32/476_2.png) [@Amdroid](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Amdroid)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 7:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/84 "2010-06-03T19:24:24Z")
what if the bearing shields are really dirty, and have stuff all over them? ---
**Author:** ![psin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/psin/32/397_2.png) [@psin](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/psin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/85 "2010-06-03T19:50:13Z")
You just remove them, submerge them in a solvent and then gently scrub off the remaining debris. Recommend a toothbrush (one that you haven’t used and wont be using in the future) rather than paper, cloth or cotton that can leave fibers behind. ---
**Author:** ![TJ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@TJ1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TJ1)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/86 "2010-07-08T02:26:46Z")
Can you use anything else other than Mineral Spirits to clean your bearing? ---
**Author:** ![psin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/psin/32/397_2.png) [@psin](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/psin)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 2:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/87 "2010-07-08T02:42:45Z")
yes, you can also use naptha, which is Zippo lighter fluid. Most any solvent would work, but I wouldn’t venture outside those two because of the potential for unknown additives and impurities. As well, thinners like M.E.K. and kerosene are extremely volatile, and are not safe for you to be using for bearing maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/88 "2010-07-14T15:44:31Z")
for method 3 do i have to de-shield it and if not were should i “drop a drop” in? thanks ---
**Author:** ![SR1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sr1/32/104603_2.png) [@SR1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SR1)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/89 "2010-07-14T15:53:37Z")
> [@Karma](#): > > for method 3 do i have to de-shield it and if not were should i “drop a drop” in? > > thanks You don’t have to deshield it. Just put a drop of lube on top the bearing-- anywhere on top. I suggest using a towel and putting the bearing on top of the towel, so it doesn’t get on your hands… etc. Make sure you spin around on a pencil so the lube is dispersed equally throughout the bearing. If you’re using thin lube note that it will become responsive for awhile. You’ll just have to break it in… it’s completely normal. Lot’s of play will do the trick! Hope I helped. ---
**Author:** ![kyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@kyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kyo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/90 "2010-07-21T18:08:32Z")
Do NOT put lube on ‘top’ of the bearing… put it on the side, onto the shield or onto the gap around the edge of the shield. Putting it on top won’t do anything but make your string soak it up. Kyle ---
**Author:** ![Amdroid](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/amdroid/32/476_2.png) [@Amdroid](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Amdroid)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/91 "2010-07-23T01:49:53Z")
Thats what he meant. You were both just talking about the bearing as if it were in a different position, but you meant the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![kongtaylor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b487fb/32.png) [@kongtaylor](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kongtaylor)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/92 "2010-07-25T00:03:23Z")
I’ve been looking through this board, but what are the different materials that I can use to clean my bearing? ---
**Author:** ![YodaGuy5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f0a364/32.png) [@YodaGuy5](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YodaGuy5)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/93 "2010-07-25T02:23:44Z")
Well attempted this on a sqeeky non-spinning hubstack bearing and didn’t seem to work. I should have spent the $5 - 10 on a YYE Bearing or YYF Bearing Size A last order. Ohh well, fun project I guess. \<== FAIL!!! ---
**Author:** ![Apetrunk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/apetrunk/32/148_2.png) [@Apetrunk](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Apetrunk)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/94 "2010-07-26T01:21:59Z")
> [@kongtaylor](#): > > I’ve been looking through this board, but what are the different materials that I can use to clean my bearing? > [@Samad](#): > > 1. Take something such as Mineral Spirits (Lighter Fluid can work as well, but isnt as recommended. as it may possibly leave a sticky residue behind that will slow the ball bearing down over time. ---
**Author:** ![jordviy8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@jordviy8](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jordviy8)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/95 "2010-08-28T04:16:34Z")
I can’t seem to get my hands on some mineral spirits, so I just use methylated spirits. Works GR8 ;D ---
**Author:** ![hebooz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hebooz/32/534_2.png) [@hebooz](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hebooz)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/96 "2010-08-28T04:19:32Z")
Does Petrol work? ---
**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:** [August 28, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/97 "2010-08-28T14:29:05Z")
Yes, although it is nastier than some other chemicals that can be used. ---
**Author:** ![hebooz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hebooz/32/534_2.png) [@hebooz](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hebooz)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 2:30pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/98 "2010-08-28T14:30:39Z")
> [@Yummy](#): > > Yes, although it is nastier than some other chemicals that can be used. How nasty and in what way nastier? ---
**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:** [August 28, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/99 "2010-08-28T14:42:53Z")
It is a somewhat worse carcinogenic. ---
**Author:** ![HOWxiao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@HOWxiao](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/HOWxiao)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 7:57am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/100 "2011-02-19T07:57:39Z")
i cleaned my bearing and i didnt use any lube on it. what do they mean by killing the bearing faster ? will it destroy the bearing ?? [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867.md?page=4) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867.md?page=6)