How do you clean ball bearings?

[sandman]

Quick, easy, effective, and no residue: Ether car starting spray. Warning, very flammable.

[progressive816]

thanks. i think i'll try the acetone option and spin it with q-tip or pencil. it seems pretty simple. i wish i had an ultrasonic tank.

[ChuckE]

I don't recommend spinning a small bearing with a q-tip. The strands from the q-tip could get pulled into the bearing and foul it up. I use a small oak (hard wood) dowel that I sharpened in a pencil sharpener. I coated the end with a little reel oil and wiped it off with a lint free rag.

Chuck

[ChuckE]

I got my ultrasonic cleaner from a jewelry store that went out of business. My fishing partner got one on ebay used for $25, but that was a while ago--I think it was originally used to clean hard contact lens?

Chuck

[dragon1]

What is the preferred cleaning solvent now that this the least toxic and non-carcinogenic, while still being very effective?

[Craiger12]

Also interested in current best cleaner, specifically for use in an ultrasonic cleaner.

[Vladimir_Kazan]

I still use white spirit (Stoddard solvent, shellite).
Not in bedroom...
But do not expect that ultrasonic cleaner will clean everything "by itself". A brush will still have to help.

[Craiger12]

I still use white spirit (Stoddard solvent, shellite).
Not in bedroom...
But do not expect that ultrasonic cleaner will clean everything "by itself". A brush will still have to help.

Forgive my ignorance, but does this mean that I should remove the outer race or cover of the bearing and use a fine brush like a toothbrush to manually clean the balls inside the bearing? I have done maintenance on my reels, but only ever just added oil to bearings, never actually cleaned them.

[Vladimir_Kazan]

Bearings are sufficiently washed in ultrasonic cleaner with white spirit without disassembly. If the cleaner is powerful enough (40 watts or more).
I meant the dirtier parts of a reel, sorry.

[Craiger12]

Bearings are sufficiently washed in ultrasonic cleaner with white spirit without disassembly. If the cleaner is powerful enough (40 watts or more).
I meant the dirtier parts of a reel, sorry.

Ok excellent. Thank you for the clarification.

[dragon1]

I still use white spirit (Stoddard solvent, shellite).
Not in bedroom...
But do not expect that ultrasonic cleaner will clean everything "by itself". A brush will still have to help.

Appreciate the input.