How do you clean ball bearings?
Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
Quick, easy, effective, and no residue: Ether car starting spray. Warning, very flammable.
- progressive816
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Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
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.
Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
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
Chuck
TackleTour
Contributing Editor, Gear Crew Member and Moderator
Contributing Editor, Gear Crew Member and Moderator
Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
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
Chuck
TackleTour
Contributing Editor, Gear Crew Member and Moderator
Contributing Editor, Gear Crew Member and Moderator
Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
What is the preferred cleaning solvent now that this the least toxic and non-carcinogenic, while still being very effective?
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."
Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
Also interested in current best cleaner, specifically for use in an ultrasonic cleaner.
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Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
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.
Not in bedroom...
But do not expect that ultrasonic cleaner will clean everything "by itself". A brush will still have to help.
Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
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 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 07, 2023 5:38 amI 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.
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Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
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.
I meant the dirtier parts of a reel, sorry.
Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
Ok excellent. Thank you for the clarification.Vladimir_Kazan wrote: ↑Tue Feb 07, 2023 9:57 amBearings 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.
Re: How do you clean ball bearings?
Appreciate the input.Vladimir_Kazan wrote: ↑Tue Feb 07, 2023 5:38 amI 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.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."