Gonna be flushing some bearings, and I see some people use acetone and some use Ronsonol Lighter Fluid. Which one is better to use? 

They both work, but I prefer acetone. If you want to be really thorough you can follow up with a rinse in denatured alcohol to remove any film left behind.

I prefer acetone as well.

Acetone with an alcohol finish.

Acetone with an alcohol finish.

That worked really well for me. I did a bath in WD40 first as mine seriously looked like they had been packed thicker than wheel bearings.

Don't like either they are cancer causers...

 

I use Safety Kleen....

 

 

 

Don't like either they are cancer causers...

 

I use Safety Kleen....

 

 

 

X2, does a very good job.

Put the bearings in a small glass jar of acetone with a lid and let sit over night.

Place the jar filled with acetone and the bearings in a larger cup with water so the jar floats, then use a ultra sonic tooth brush in the cup with water and run for 2 minutes. Empty out the acetone and repeat if needed until the acetone is clear. Place the bearings on a clean coth to dry out.

Next lubricate the bears lightly with a spray of BreakFree or other speed oil.

To check the bearing use a small diameter tapered wood dowel, Testors model paint brush works good, and spin the bearing. Should spin freely, no roughness.

If the bearing still spins roughly change it or try spinning the bearing in the lubricant using a Dremal motor with the wood dowel about 10 to 30 seconds. If that doesn't work it's time for new grade 5 bearings.

Tom

Might there be a problem with any kind of alcohol, denatured or not, because it still absorbs water?

 

Once it's cleaned with an oil based solvent maybe its best to keep it that way, complete the job with a light oil designed for the purpose.

I place my bearings in a sealed baby jar filled with acetone. Let it sit overnight then take them out to air dry for a couple hours. Test them and they should spin freely then add 1 drop of oil of your choice to the little gap inner race.

This is a great way to start an argument, so I won't even tell you how I do it.

I don't know the best way to do it so no argument from me.

When I was big into racing rc cars on road carpet tracks we used lighter fluid and would put the bearings on a shaft and spin them and set them on fire to burn the carpet threads out of the bearing to ensure absolutely clean and free spinning bearings.

For fishing I just soak them in acteone and then rinse them in denatured alcohol and let them air dry between steps. Then apply a little bearing oil.

Much safer process.....

i did this the other day and all i had was rubbing alcohol and thin gun oil. i flushed in alcohol, dried, and lubed the bearings and the spool rod thingie, as well as cleaned and oiled the break drum. my casting distance on my Curado G6 nearly doubled :-)

 

good luck!