A word of warning about spin drying your bearings - don't do it with "shop air" pressure (high pressure). Example - placing the bearing hub on a dowel or pencil and then using compressed air to rotate the bearing at high speed. The bearings weren't designed to spin at these speeds, plus they aren't lubricated. There is a risk of the bearing "exploding", you don't want that in your eyes.

I guess I'm running to Home Depot tomorrow for some Acetone. Thanks guys

Blue and yellow can, it will be with the paint thinners and mineral spirits. Costs about $7.00 for the smaller can which should last you for one season. I done 24 reels last year and still have about half a can left.

Already got buddy - right next to the Naphtha, LOL.  I do about 150 to 200 reels every winter, but still grabbed the little can anyway.  I'm running a little experiment right now, I'll report back later.  I think I can demonstrate exactly what you guys are talking about graphically.  Thanks again!

And Burley, what is a kimwipe?

Lint-free laboratory wipes.

Well, the difference wasn't as visually graphic as I thought, but the side by side, the Acetone is a clear winner.  I guess I really need to evaluate these things side by side.  The acetone really needed to be changed out much more frequently than the naphtha, indicating that it really was better at getting the junk out.  They definitely dry out faster, but I already knew that about acetone.  It is really stinky stuff though.

Just wondering if any of you wear safety goggles or glasses for the just in case I get some acetone in my eyes. I have accidentally spilled it on plastic and it "ate" it up.

I stopped what I was doing and put on my safety goggles immeditately.

No telling what it would do to eyes.

A note about spinning the bearings on a pencil to test them.

You'll never get an unmounted bearing to spin for very long, no matter how clean or well lubricated it is.

What your testing is for bad bearings. Do it by listening. I use a nail set or pin punch. Any metal tool with a small enough tip to insert in the bearing, and with a taper to hold it in place will work. I use this also for drying. Hit it with a hair dryer for about 30 seconds, until it's very warm to the touch, and it will be dry.

Then put the blunt and of the punch snugly against your ear, and rotate the bearing by hand on the punch. It's very easy to hear a bad bearing, and not at all difficult to hear a questionable one.