I've heard its okay to soak your reel bearings in lighter fluid, is that right? And does it matter about what kind of lighter fluid, like can it be charchol lighter fluid?

Acetone.

Lol use Acetone, Charcoal lighter fluid lol.

If you use lighter fluid it must contain naptha.  That is the other substance besides acetone for soaking them.  When you are done be sure to pat them dry and let the air dry for a few hours before reinstalling and/or reoiling.

If you use lighter fluid it must contain naptha. That is the other substance besides acetone for soaking them. When you are done be sure to pat them dry and let the air dry for a few hours before reinstalling and/or reoiling.

Ronsonol is what you're looking for. and, yes, it will work just fine for de-greasing bearings.

Tom

You can just get Naphtha as well, but it does leave a film.  it works - I used it for years before switching to acetone.  Acetone leaves no film.  If there's something there, then it isn't totally clean.

I soak in isopropyl alcohol

I soak in isopropyl alcohol

which contains water

Naptha (lighter fluid) had been commonly recommended in the past and it works. Acetone is a better choice though as Jfrancho said.

Lol use Acetone, Charcoal lighter fluid lol.

ive used lighter charcoal fluid with no problems. acetone might be a better choice...

I would think that charcoal lighter fluid would leave a lite film although it would probably remove the old oil. Cigarette light fluid leaves no film neither does acetone. Air dry the bearings on a clean piece of paper towel. One and not more than 2 drops of oil. I use rocket fuel yellow but there are others.

I used Naptha to clean all sorts of mechanical parts for years, but switched to Acetone. As Francho said it does not leave a film and it is quicker.

Lol use Acetone, Charcoal lighter fluid lol.

LOL 

What the heck, I'll jump in...

If bearings are greased, I drop them into a jar filled with naphtha. Naphtha dissolves the grease exceptionally well, but it does NOT remove all the grease.

Next, I blast CRC Electronic Cleaner through the bearing, utilizing a bearing cleaner tool. That CRC stuff is great. It WILL NOT harm paint or plastic. It's great for blasting out ant-reverse bearings while mounted in the side plate. Just don't get any in your eye!

I then blast compressed air through the bearings while they're in the cleaner tool.

It all sounds more complex than it really is, but the bearing cleaner tool is what makes it all work out so well.