# What’s best to clean my bearings with? **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [February 17, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650 "2018-02-17T21:57:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigBam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@BigBam](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/BigBam)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/1 "2018-02-17T21:57:30Z")
decided to do a little rainy day yo-yo maintenance and realized i only have alcohol. is that ok to use to clean my bearings. i already deshielded them and I’m ready to clean. most are steel but a couple are ceramic if that matters. what’s the best chemical to use? any advice is appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![CadenK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CadenK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/CadenK)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/2 "2018-02-17T22:04:09Z")
I recommend just buying a new bearing and if not try to lube it with ■■■■■■■■■■ light 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:** [February 17, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/3 "2018-02-17T22:32:56Z")
Have you looked here: [Useful modification & maintenance guides - Axles,Clean, repair, tune, fix yoyos](https://yoyoexpert.com/forums/index.php/topic,17792.0.html) LOTS of good info… p.s. No need to buy a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Schnayke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Schnayke](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Schnayke)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/4 "2018-02-17T23:52:26Z")
I use 91% rubbing alcohol. Because I keep it in the house anyway. It doesn’t smell much, and you can buy it at the any store. Works great. However most of the time just taking the shields off and blowing the bearing out with compressed air, is all that is needed. ---
**Author:** ![Dust](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/dust/32/83340_2.png) [@Dust](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Dust)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 12:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/5 "2018-02-18T00:13:45Z")
Acetone is one of the best imo. If you do use isopropyl use 90% or higher. Itll work but still not ideal. ---
**Author:** ![photogeek](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/photogeek/32/41072_2.png) [@photogeek](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/photogeek)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/6 "2018-02-18T00:53:02Z")
I have always used mineral spirits. But that’s mostly because I’ve got it handy in the shop. ---
**Author:** ![persson](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/persson/32/208357_2.png) [@persson](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/persson)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 10:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/7 "2018-02-18T10:58:41Z")
It cleans and lubricates at the same time (it contains a small percentage of oil which, together with the construction of the light, allows the resistance of the flame to the wind) ---
**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:** [February 19, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/8 "2018-02-19T01:36:09Z")
Zippo is my favorite, though I am totally unaware of the lube aspect. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 12:08am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/9 "2018-08-30T00:08:37Z")
- Pure acetone - 99% rubbing alcohol - Lighter fluid All work well, I’m personally not a fan of lighter fluid because of the flammability risk issue myself, but it all works! ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/10 "2018-08-30T00:38:26Z")
I think acetone is as or more flammable than lighter fluid. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/11 "2018-08-30T03:08:39Z")
Yeah after reading the list again I guess all that stuff is kinda flammable! ---
**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:** [August 30, 2018, 3:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/12 "2018-08-30T03:58:42Z")
Acetone evaporates too fast, leaves a residue on the bearing as do most all quick evaporating solvents. Lighter fluid does not evaporate quickly and leaves no residue. ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 4:35am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/13 "2018-08-30T04:35:30Z")
I use mineral spirits and it works quite well. No downside that I know of. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/14 "2018-08-30T04:37:27Z")
Pure acetone? It gets recommended a ton by lots of people. Are you sure you are not thinking of cheap nail polish remover with additives? ---
**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:** [August 30, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/15 "2018-08-30T18:27:54Z")
Nope… Acetone evaporates quickly. Frank Difeyo says on his website that quick evaporating solvents leave a residue on the bearing. A lot of people recommend brake cleaner as well, it too is fast evaporating. Nail polish remover is worse yet due to the additives. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/16 "2018-08-30T22:44:10Z")
Hmm, well, I’ve seen _lots_ of very experienced yo-yo folks recommend pure acetone many many times, based on their personal use of it as a cleaning agent – including @Tvelto in his cleaning video! So I’m gonna disagree with you on this one, unless you have tangible scientific evidence to the contrary. (Personally I prefer 99% rubbing alcohol for cleaning, so I have no particular dog in this race. But I don’t find “evaporates too fast, thus…” compelling evidence.) ---
**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:** [August 31, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/17 "2018-08-31T04:03:44Z")
In the words of the master himself… [http://dif-e-yo.com/Tech%20Tips.htm](http://dif-e-yo.com/Tech%20Tips.htm) My experience with acetone in other applications bears out the fast evaporation. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2018, 4:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/18 "2018-08-31T04:25:27Z")
What it actually says is > Paint thinner or grease remover such as Gunk … Engine Degreaser can be used… and found in auto supply stores. But keep in mind they can evaporate too fast and leave dry residue in the bearing that causes the bearing not to spin freely after cleaning. I don’t see any reference to acetone there? Paint thinner is mineral spirits, so this really should be directed at @vegabomb then :wink: ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2018, 4:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/19 "2018-08-31T04:38:08Z")
Nah. All mineral spirits are paint thinners. Not all paint thinners are mineral spirits. Mineral spirits are much cleaner than paint thinners. I use odorless which is very refined. ---
**Author:** ![MarkD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/markd/32/40845_2.png) [@MarkD](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MarkD)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650/20 "2018-08-31T15:00:04Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > But I don’t find “evaporates too fast, thus…” compelling evidence. I was googling around and found a watch & clock forum where they were discussing similar solvent issues: > **[Best Final Rinse to Avoid Residue - Acetone vs. 99% Isopropyl vs. Denatured...](https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/best-final-rinse-to-avoid-residue-acetone-vs-99-isopropyl-vs-denatured-alcohol.121554/)** > > Research on the net as always yeilds conflicting opinions. I've been experiencing a residue remaining on movement parts after using Zenith Drizebrite. What would be best as a final, final rinse - Acetone, 99% Isopropyl or Denatured Alcohol or none of... Based on their discussion (plus some other searches) it looks like you can cool metals and cause moisture to condense on them if your solvent evaporates quickly. I personally use mineral spirits, but I also haven’t been doing this too long so I have no first-hand experience with the long-term effects. [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-s-best-to-clean-my-bearings-with/85650.md?page=2)