# When to use compressed air when cleaning a bearing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [March 20, 2019, 11:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375 "2019-03-20T23:50:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Niekro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/niekro/32/1541_2.png) [@Niekro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Niekro)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 11:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/1 "2019-03-20T23:50:18Z")
Is it after you take it out of the lighter fluid or after you apply lube? I forget. I searched the forum but didn’t come up with anything. Thanks. ---
**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:** [March 20, 2019, 11:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/2 "2019-03-20T23:51:57Z")
You can actually do both. But most people blow the lighter fluid out. ---
**Author:** ![Niekro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/niekro/32/1541_2.png) [@Niekro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Niekro)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 11:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/3 "2019-03-20T23:55:02Z")
For how long? Under five seconds per side? ---
**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:** [March 20, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/4 "2019-03-20T23:58:19Z")
Do it until you get 6+ seconds of spin time from a finger flick of the bearing. Ideally 10-12 seconds but 6 seconds is the _minimum_ in my experience. Anything under that and it’ll play a tiny bit responsive. ---
**Author:** ![Niekro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/niekro/32/1541_2.png) [@Niekro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Niekro)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 11:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/5 "2019-03-20T23:59:50Z")
Thanks for the help guys. ---
**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:** [March 21, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/6 "2019-03-21T02:33:40Z")
I use it to blow out the solvent and the lube. ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/johnnyj/32/94616_2.png) [@JohnnyJ](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JohnnyJ)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 3:39am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/7 "2019-03-21T03:39:20Z")
Just wanted to add; in my experience acetone works much better than lighter fluid for bearing maintenance. Can be found at any auto store ---
**Author:** ![Niekro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/niekro/32/1541_2.png) [@Niekro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Niekro)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 3:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/8 "2019-03-21T03:42:25Z")
I am running low on lighter fluid. ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/johnnyj/32/94616_2.png) [@JohnnyJ](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JohnnyJ)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 3:44am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/9 "2019-03-21T03:44:51Z")
It seems to me that acetone leaves a bearing spinning a bit smoother than lighter fluid, so I’d say go for it! ---
**Author:** ![Niekro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/niekro/32/1541_2.png) [@Niekro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Niekro)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 3:46am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/10 "2019-03-21T03:46:36Z")
I’ll give it a try, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Apadil1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/apadil1/32/70326_2.png) [@Apadil1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Apadil1)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 3:53am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/11 "2019-03-21T03:53:17Z")
To piggyback off of @JohnnyJ you can find 100% acetone really cheap at Walmart. ---
**Author:** ![Niekro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/niekro/32/1541_2.png) [@Niekro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Niekro)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 3:55am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/12 "2019-03-21T03:55:26Z")
I have a hardware store a few blocks away. ---
**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:** [March 21, 2019, 5:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/13 "2019-03-21T05:13:15Z")
I’ve tried acetone, mineral spirits, and lighter fluid numerous times over the year. Have always returned to lighter fluid. One drawback of acetone is that it dries too quickly and could leave a residue… From the Dif-e-yo website: “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.” [http://dif-e-yo.com/Tech%20Tips.htm](http://dif-e-yo.com/Tech%20Tips.htm) Note that mineral spirits is not considered a fast evaporator. ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/johnnyj/32/94616_2.png) [@JohnnyJ](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JohnnyJ)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 5:56am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/14 "2019-03-21T05:56:10Z")
Very interesting! Maybe I’ll give lighter fluid another go. ---
**Author:** ![Jedillama](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jedillama/32/45547_2.png) [@Jedillama](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jedillama)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 6:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/15 "2019-03-21T06:13:57Z")
I have been using unchloronated brake cleaner with good results. It certainly would fall under fast evaporating though. Its ususlly somr mix of acetone/isopropyl alcohol/ mineral spirits depending on the brand you get. ---
**Author:** ![Z\_Car](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/z_car/32/72879_2.png) [@Z\_Car](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Z_Car)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 12:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/16 "2019-03-21T12:42:07Z")
I do both as others have stated. I only use mineral spirits tho, super cheap. I bought a can of it over a year ago and I’m still set. Have never come across any problems. Blows out well and always leaves bearing clean. ---
**Author:** ![eternalmetal](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/eternalmetal/32/44877_2.png) [@eternalmetal](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/eternalmetal)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/17 "2019-03-21T13:39:25Z")
Ive never had any problems with 91% isopropyl alcohol. Much nicer to work with than those other nasty smelling chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![Niekro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/niekro/32/1541_2.png) [@Niekro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Niekro)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2019, 12:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/18 "2019-03-22T00:49:42Z")
Does the Gorillius Lubricus that YYE carries come with the brush applicator? ---
**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:** [March 22, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/19 "2019-03-22T15:21:35Z")
yes. ---
**Author:** ![Pendantduck177](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/pendantduck177/32/49208_2.png) [@Pendantduck177](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Pendantduck177)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/when-to-use-compressed-air-when-cleaning-a-bearing/300375/20 "2019-03-22T15:42:07Z")
Can be found anywhere that sells nail polish remover too.