# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![skeletonboy333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@skeletonboy333](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/skeletonboy333)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/101 "2011-03-28T17:06:17Z")
> [@HOWxiao](#): > > 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 ?? Yes, it will destroy your bearing sooner than tiny lubed. ---
**Author:** ![gommer556](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@gommer556](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/gommer556)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/102 "2011-04-02T22:06:56Z")
but how to you clean it with lighter fluid? do you just fill a cup with it and dunk it in the cup? ---
**Author:** ![skeletonboy333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@skeletonboy333](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/skeletonboy333)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/103 "2011-04-02T22:33:13Z")
Dude, read what Samad tells you on the first post. S ---
**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:** [April 3, 2011, 3:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/104 "2011-04-03T03:33:58Z")
> [@gommer556](#): > > but how to you clean it with lighter fluid? do you just fill a cup with it and dunk it in the cup? Yes, let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Then swish it around in the cup. Better yet, use a small bottle with a cap so you can shake it. Then remove and shake the solvent out. Spin it or use compressed air to blow dry. ---
**Author:** ![Kipp556](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b77776/32.png) [@Kipp556](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Kipp556)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/105 "2011-06-07T03:03:53Z")
Can’t find mineral spirits :-[ what about rubbing alcohol? ---
**Author:** ![skeletonboy333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@skeletonboy333](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/skeletonboy333)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/106 "2011-06-07T04:50:37Z")
Well, as mrcnja just recently said in a thread, he was talking about ispropyl alcohol. It’s a great solvent but it contains a decent percent of water which probably wont rust it a lot, but some tarnish might occur. ---
**Author:** ![Kipp556](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b77776/32.png) [@Kipp556](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Kipp556)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/107 "2011-06-07T17:49:03Z")
What about Butane Fuel? ---
**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:** [June 7, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/108 "2011-06-07T18:08:46Z")
Butane is a gas at room temperature. Either use mineral spirits or lighter fluid. Both are cheap and easily obtainable. ---
**Author:** ![bonesraphs](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bonesraphs/32/43_2.png) [@bonesraphs](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/bonesraphs)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/109 "2011-06-10T14:58:55Z")
_Clears throat_ Dear Mr. Mod, Please sticky this Raphael Partly cloudy… ---
**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:** [June 10, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/110 "2011-06-10T15:30:53Z")
It has been [stickied](http://yoyoexpert.com/forums/index.php/topic,17792.0.html) for a couple of years now. Maybe it’s time to actually read the stickies. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bonesraphs](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bonesraphs/32/43_2.png) [@bonesraphs](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/bonesraphs)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/111 "2011-06-10T16:50:08Z")
> [@Yummy](#): > > It has been [stickied](http://yoyoexpert.com/forums/index.php/topic,17792.0.html) for a couple of years now. Maybe it’s time to actually read the stickies. 😛 Ooohhhh (Slaps fingers for being stupid) ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/112 "2011-06-10T17:04:00Z")
I use 99.9% isopropyl achohol for cleaning things like tape heads(record, playback, erase) on my various reel to reel decks. Since the heads are actually exposed to the air the entire time, they evaporate completely and quickly. I use a special rubber cleaner on the pinch roller. We’re not just talking simple reel to reel machines either. I use this on digital reel decks and big 2" machines as well, I just don’t get to use those as frequently. As far as using it t clean a bearing? Well, I’d say coupled with some compressed air(like those office supply dusters, which I use for film transfers to help blow out dust that gets into the aperture) and movement, I’d say should be OK. Blow around, move the bearing, blow some more. Do this a few times and you should be able to remove all the moisture. Better to do TOO much than TOO little. As long as you’re not throwing on a dry bearing, you’re should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Oloap\_Ominoreg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oloap_ominoreg/32/1117_2.png) [@Oloap\_Ominoreg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Oloap_Ominoreg)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/113 "2012-05-29T22:55:31Z")
Can you use rubbing alcohol as a cleaner? ---
**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:** [May 30, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/114 "2012-05-30T04:58:02Z")
Yes, but be sure to dry it very good and lightly lube the bearing afterwards. Alcohol contains water which can cause the bearing to rust. Mineral spirits or lighter fluid is a better choice. ---
**Author:** ![FPS\_Cruz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@FPS\_Cruz](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FPS_Cruz)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/115 "2012-07-13T23:37:55Z")
which method is best for an unresponsive yoyo ? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shadowz143](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shadowz143/32/952_2.png) [@Shadowz143](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shadowz143)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/116 "2012-07-13T23:48:17Z")
> [@FPS\_Cruz](#): > > which method is best for an unresponsive yoyo ? 🙂 They all work great. If you lube it though, you will have to break in the lube to make it unresponsive. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/117 "2012-07-17T21:47:06Z")
> [@FPS\_Cruz](#): > > which method is best for an unresponsive yoyo ? 🙂 Depends what you want to do, need to do, and desired objectives. My cleaning process has evolved quite a bit. First, mineral spirits, with a good 15-30 minute soak. After this, I use small slips of paper to remove not only the remaining mineral spirits, but to pull out additional stuff. The bearing should be dry by the time this is done. It’s then spun a bit to see how it does, and often timed for reference, compared to before I started. With some bearings packed with grease, this is super important. The next step is then to use acetone and soak for 10 minutes. I don’t use the paper slip method at this point, it’s typically OK. I remove and let air dry, then spin and check spin times. Any grit, it goes back into mineral spirits, then acetone again. It should be completely clean at this point. I will typically Terrapin X treat the bearing after all this has been done. Now if the yoyo is unresponsive, it’s the response, the gap, the string or the object at the other end of the string. ---
**Author:** ![junkim100](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/junkim100/32/268080_2.png) [@junkim100](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/junkim100)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/118 "2012-09-22T21:48:16Z")
Do I only have to use paint thinner? ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/119 "2012-09-22T22:09:07Z")
> [@junkim100](#): > > Do I only have to use paint thinner? Sure. Paint thinner alone will work fine. I choose to use the two chemicals because it will pretty much clear out everything, but mostly since the Terrapin X treatment needs acetone, that’s why it’s second. Mineral spirits takes longer to evaporate, so that leaves plenty of time to clean with the paper slips. ---
**Author:** ![junkim100](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/junkim100/32/268080_2.png) [@junkim100](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/junkim100)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 7:05am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867/120 "2012-09-23T07:05:04Z")
> [@Studio42](#): > > > [@junkim100](#): > > > > Do I only have to use paint thinner? > > Sure. Paint thinner alone will work fine. I choose to use the two chemicals because it will pretty much clear out everything, but mostly since the Terrapin X treatment needs acetone, that’s why it’s second. Mineral spirits takes longer to evaporate, so that leaves plenty of time to clean with the paper slips. how’s Zippo lighter oil? [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867.md?page=5) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867.md?page=7)