Cleaning a Bearing
From YoYo Wiki
Contents |
[edit] Why clean a yo-yo bearing?
Most bearings come lubricated, as this helps preventing rust whilst the yo-yo is in storage before it is sold. This lubricant often makes yo-yos quite responsive. In order to remove the lubricant the bearing has to be cleaned. Cleaning allows the yo-yoer to to make the bearing as responsive as he or she wants. It also removes grit or string lint that builds up in the bearing through play.
[edit] How to clean a yo-yo bearing
[edit] 1. Before you start
It is helpful to know some bearing anatomy before you begin so you know which parts of the bearing are which.
[edit] 2. Equipment needed
- Some form of solvent for cleaning (such as methylated spirits, goof off/xylene or paint thinner/mineral spirits). Do not use rubbing alcohol (contains water which can make the bearing rust), lighter fluid (contains perfume and other impurities), acetone (can make the bearing rust and is corrosive), nail polish remover (contains impurities to moisturise skin etc) or anything containing ether such as brake cleaner (catches fire easily and damages skin quickly).
- A glass jar to hold the solvent with the bearing in.
- A pin to remove the bearing shields.
 Mineral Spirits/Paint Thinner |
 A contact lenses cleaner case can be used to clean bearings |
[edit] 3. Safety precautions
- Protective glasses should be worn.
- Almost all the solvents listed here are highly flammable so keep the solvents away from sparks, naked flames, etc.
- As many of the solvents give off unpleasant fumes, the bearing cleaning should be carried out in a well ventilated room with care taken not to inhale the fumes.
[edit] 4. Remove the shields
To achieve a clean yo-yo bearing, you first have to remove the shields (the thin rings of sheet metal on the sides of the bearing), one side is usually enough for cleaning purposes, although removing both is recommended to produce the best results. Removing can be done by sticking a pin between the outer race and the shield, where a springy steel ring (known as the 'c-clip' due to its shape) is located. By removing the c-clip, the shield will tend to fall out. If it doesn't, tapping the bearing lightly on a surface should cause the shield to drop out.
Another way to remove the shields is to stick a pin between the inner race and the shield and carefully pry the shield off. Since the c-clip can jump out, it is recommended to wear protective glasses while doing it. This method is popular because it is quicker and easier to remove the shields, however the shields are often damaged so they cannot be placed back on the bearing later. As many yo-yoers leave the shields off for easier cleaning in the future, this is not a problem.
 Remove bearing from yo |
 Remove c-clips with pin |
 Both c-clips and shields removed |
[edit] 5. Clean with a solvent
Now soak the bearing in the solvent. A glass jar is ideal for this as the glass will not react with the solvent (some plastics are damaged by some of these solvents). Be careful not to inhale the solvent fumes, and since solvents are usually highly flammable, do this away from fire or heat sources. By either shaking or using a toothpick, turn the bearing a little in the bath to get the grease out from everywhere and let it soak for a few minutes, occasionally turning it again. Do not use the toothpick on your teeth afterwards.
 Place bearing in container |
 Add solvent to container |
 Bearing soaking in solvent |
 Shaking container with bearing & solvent |
 Bearing soaking in solvent |
 Remove bearing from container |
[edit] 6. Dry the bearing
Most of the solvents listed here evaporate very quickly. The problem with this is that a residue is left behind, slowing down the bearing. To prevent this, use an air compressor or a can of compressed air (you can buy these at office supply stores) to dry the bearing once you have take it out of the solvent, occasionally turning or spinning it. If you don't have access to compressed air it is still worthwhile spinning the bearing on a pencil as it dries.
 Place bearing on tweezers or pencil |
 Place bearing on tweezers or pencil |
 Use air compressor or can of compressed air to blow solvent and residue out |
[edit] 7. Lubricate the bearing
Running a bearing without lubrication (often abbreviated to 'lube') is referred to as running the bearing 'dry'. This is very noisy, reduces the lifespan of the bearing and the bearing can rust. Yo-yoers used to use 3-in-1 oil if they wanted the yo-yo to be very responsive, and trumpet valve oil if the wanted the yo-yo to be unresponsive. However, trumpet valve oil can damage the plastic in a yo-yo and lube designed specifically for yo-yos is now available from manufacturers such as YoYoJam.
There are two types of yo-yo lube available, 'thick' lube for responsive yo-yos and 'thin' lube for unresponsive yo-yos. Examples of thick lube include 'Yoyojam thick lube' and 'Yomega brain lube'. The only available thin lube currently is 'Yoyojam thin lube'. You can buy these from most online yo-yo stores.
 Cleaned bearing place in yo-yo |
[edit] Advanced techniques
To get the bearing even cleaner, some people use an ultrasonic cleaner; a little vibrating bath used for cleaning jewellery or glasses.
[edit] Risks
These cleaners are not suited to be filled with solvents because a lot of solvent would be required and there would a be a high risk of fire due to flammable solvents and electricity. Some people get round this by diluting the solvent with water however getting water on yo-yo bearings can cause rust and the solvent can damage the metal parts of the ultrasonic cleaner.
[edit] Using solvents in a ultrasonic cleaner
Since these cleaners are usually designed to be used with water, you can put the solvent and bearing into a small plastic cup (make sure the plastic can handle the solvent), and stand this into the water in the cleaner. The top of the solvent and the top of the water should be roughly the same height. This is safer and stops you needing to place your bearing in water. Make sure your cleaner is properly grounded as you still have flammable solvents in the device.
