Solvents are a crucial thing with superior solutions. And getting the perfect one is somewhere hard for us. Well, denatured alcohol, citrus cleaner, acetone, and so on are great to be used as a solvent. But to make it easy, I have noted here some best solvents for cleaning bearings.
No matter what, easy lubrication is most important in any solvent. Within such an absolute, here, all the products are made with easy definition and effective outcomes. Now, let us not look around and get to those products straight.
Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
  | Bones Skate Bearings Cleaning Unit | ||
  | Bones Speed Cream Skate Bearing Lubricant | ||
  | ACER Racing SIN Synthetic Bearing Lube | ||
  | SONIC Citrus Skate Bearing Cleaner | ||
| TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner |
5 Best Solvent For Cleaning Bearings in 2022 [Review]
#1. Bones Speed Cream Skate Bearing Lubricant-best solvent for cleaning skateboard bearings
Skateboard maintenance will now be a painless process if you have a Bones Skate Bearings Cleaning Unit. THIS skateboard bearing cleaner anyways, in terms of durability, this product always stands first.
Especially, the construction of Bones Skate, which is polyurethane in high density, makes it long-lasting.
Do not worry if you have a different kind of skate bearings, as this product is top-ranking for its compatibility. Just grab Bones Skate Cleaning Unite and see what magic it does to your bearings.
For the most part, Bones Skate cleaner uses spacers by its unique design and thus helps in applying solvents equally
#2. Bones Speed Cream Skate Bearing Lubricant
Bones Speed Cream Stake Bear Lubricant consists of high and low viscosity synthetic mixtures. Hence, this product will work effectively to protect against corrosions and reduce frictions.
Yet, Bones Speed Bearing lubricant possesses all sealing properties conveying no leakages at all.
Furthermore, this lubricant easily covers rolling contact surfaces and thus ensures nice lubrication. The solvent cleaner has been specially formulated to properly clean bearings and other metal parts.
Put two drops of the lubricant per bearing and spin the bearing between your fingers to distribute the lubricant throughout the entire bearing. If you have ceramic bearings, only one drop of lubricant is needed. The next step is to put the rubber shields into position.
To clean the bearings and any other metal parts, it is better to use rubbing alcohol, followed by Bones speed cream.
How To Clean Sealed Bearings
#3. ACER Racing SIN Synthetic Bearing Lube- best solvent for cleaning rc bearings:
Not knowing, ACER Racing SIN Bearing Lube is the best solvent for cleaning RC bearings. Since 1989, this product has been ruling as a first-rated lube. Here, you will get additive technology and a blend of synthetic-based oils, which help bearings run smoothly. Furthermore, your bearings will not face any friction and rather perform faster, longer, quieter, and cooler.
Likewise, SIN is an excellent proxy for displacing moisture and protecting bearings from corrosions. In addition, you can use ACER Racing Lube as bicycle chain lube, fishing reel lube, and bearing lubricant. And SIN Bearing Lube is indeed 100% synthetic. Drip 1-2 drops of lube into the bearing, then spin it to evenly distribute the solvent.
#4. SONIC Citrus Skate Bearing Cleaner
To know what solvent to use to clean bearings, look here. Well, SONIC owns an awesome citrus cleaner for bearings to energize skate bearings.
In addition, your bearings will never rust since there is no water in the Sonic Citrus Skate Bearing Cleaner. Other than that, SONIC Citrus Cleaner tends to be universal.
Particularly, Sonic Turbo Wash or other bearing cleaning systems can have a nice refill with Citrus Skate Bearing Cleaner.
If you are assuming convenience, that is great here. The reason is, SONIC Citrus leaves no unturned in easy dispensing with its flip-top cap. If they have rubber shields or no shields, you can easily bring them back by using this sonic product. Citrus-based cleaners work but can leave a slight oily residue on the bearing. We recommend using a solvent. you need to care more when using but are a more superior solution to cleaning dirty bearings.
#5. TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100
For a perfect paint thinner to clean bearings, one must look to TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100. This product is particularly made for use in TotalBoat Marine primers and paints.
Solvent-based total boat paints get a smooth flow by having an appliance of this product. Besides, TotalBoat Thinner helps in extending work time even in hot weather. You can easily clean your equipment and painting tools with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner.
What is better sealed or shielded bearings?
How to clean skateboard bearings
To clean skateboard bearings, you need to follow some essential steps, which are described below:
Removing wheels
First and foremost, remove the axle nuts using a wrench or skate tool. Then slide your wheels off from the truck axle, keeping track of washers between the axles.
Take out all bearings and bearing shields
Next, pry your bearings from the wheels. In such situations, the truck’s axle can be beneficial. After that, slide your wheel halfway so that one bearing remains in the axle. Later on, you will see your axle securely catches inner bearings, which means it is time to twist the bearings outward. Latterly, pop off all bearing shields with a safety pin or thumbtack.
Soak bearings in cleaner
Solvents like mineral spirits, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone would be good options for cleaning bearings. Moreover, a wide-mouthed bottle can be better to soak bearings. Just make sure to swirl them often after some periods.
Lubricate the bearings
Once you have soaked your bearings, dry them in an open area and relubricate them to prevent damaging frictions.
Switch shields and mount bearings
Finally, place all the bearing shields back and set them in place. And keep pressing unless the shields are back on from the center.
Tips on skate bearings-
People sometimes confuse cleaning skateboard wheels with bearings, thinking that they need to clean their wheels when in fact you only need to clean your bearings. If you want your skate bearings to last, regular maintenance is key.
Minor issues can be solved by dripping a few drops of lubricant on the outside of each bearing, then giving them a spin. If that doesn’t help, you’ll want to give them a deep clean.
What dissolves bearing grease?
For the most part, we get to hear what I can use to clean my bearings. To meet your confusion, I would say look at regular old Ronson lighter fluid. This fluid plays a great role in dissolving greases but rarely leaves any oil films. What you will have to do is take a little cup, pour the fluid and stir them briskly with a screwdriver. And you are all set to dissolve your greases.
Can you use mineral spirits to clean wheel bearings?
Not only isopropyl alcohol is great for clearing wheel bearings, but also mineral spirit is fine too.
Use some amount of mineral spirits to wipe off greases and oils prevailing in wheel bearings.
Can you use WD 40 to clean bearings?
No way. WD 40 is never an applicable option for cleaning bearings. However, WD 40 is specifically designed for elevating rusts and grimes. Hence, using them for bearings as lubricant will not be good.
Let us know about WD-40 Specialist Cleaner more identically.
WD 40 is a real grime fighter having a formula of biodegradable bio-solvent. Besides, this cleaner is durable, convenient, and resistant to shatters. In addition, WD 40 is better for different facilities, e.g., food processing.
Bearing Cleaner Lists
Here is a list of what anybody would need to clean bearings. Besides, there are other alternatives as well which cannot be missed out.
- A good quality solvent or degreaser
- Some speed creams and light greases
- Capabilities of tea making
- A tray with lid to soak bearings
- Some sort of rag
- And some bearings, of course
Acetone to clean bearings
Undoubtedly, acetone is a fine substitute to clean bearings. To use this solvent, pour it into a small container and your bearings. After placing them inside, secure your container’s lid properly. Leave your solvent to soak and give a gentle shake after a few minutes when you are done.
How to clean metal bearings
No doubt that we often see metal bearings on the wheels of bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, etc. Likewise, these bearings need to be lubricated regularly so that your rides and wheels always remain in good shape. Now let us discuss how to clean those bearings perfectly.
Skate bearing kit
First of all, be prepared with a skate-bearing kit. Or you can also use a sports drink bottle and make a hole to place the bolt. Then move your gasket downwards and eventually flush them along with the head. Longboards use the exact same bearings as skateboards, so this process will also work for longboard bearings. If your bearings have metal shields, your ability to clean inside them will be limited, but still beneficial.
Pour solvent, alcohol, or citrus cleaner into container
Do not forget to sack all your casings and then fit a bottle using a cleaner. Whereas citrus-based cleaners, solvent cleaners, and isopropyl alcohol also work great for bearings.
Soak the bearings after shaking
Now, insert all your stacked bearings into the container, which is filled with cleaner. And, of course, fasten the lid properly. Then shake the container for 4 to 5 seconds and then keep it stable. After some time, again shake the container.
Lubricate your bearings after drying
Remember to unstack your bearings after removing all the casings from your containers. Again, compressed air can be a relevant option too for drying all your bearings. Once they get dried, put in some lubricants. You can use a pin to apply drops.
Tip: Some set-ups use bearing spacers that sit between the two bearings when in the wheel, while other bearings have built-in spacers.
Do so carefully, so as to not get the cleaning agents in your eyes or anywhere but onto a cloth on your work area.
Please be sure to be environmentally friendly and dispose of your cleaning agents in a responsible manner. If you use a solvent cleaner, please wear appropriate rubber gloves and work in a safe well ventilated area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use to clean my bearings?
For cleaning bearings, mineral spirits, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone work amazing. Before using this solvent, do not forget to wear gloves to avoid contact with chemicals from your skin. Other than that, a wide-mouthed bottle or dish can be a good option to use as a container and soak bearings for some minutes. Besides, you can swirl your bearings occasionally all over in the cleaner.
Can you clean bearings with acetone?
Acetone is especially dominant. Just be determined to pour adequate acetone into your container and thus follow every instruction. After filling the container, fasten its lid properly. Then leave all your bearings to soak and give them a good shake to separate all dirt from inside.
Can I use degreaser to clean bearings?
Getting a spray-on decreaser can help to blast all craps from bearings and give them a nice effect. Besides, lemon juice is an excellent alternative too for cleaning bearings. Anyways, everyone can soak their bearings in a separate liquid by putting them in jam jars or any other bottles. Afterward, shaking all the bearings together can make a good texture for sure. And when you are done, rinse off all your bearings with a clean solvent.
What happens if you grease a sealed bearing?
Starters hardly know that maximum sealed bearings are made pre-greased from factories. Well, these bearings come with 25 to 35 percent fully greased. Contrastingly, too much greasing of bearings may lead to damages to sealed bearings. Furthermore, seals lose the ability to keep contaminants from greasing due to greasing. And if you grease your bearings a lot, your bearings will start to churn and give rise to a build-up of intense heat.
Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean my bearings?
Since rubbing alcohol contains 70% isopropyl alcohol, it can be a good one to clear bearings. In particular, you will need to use a ceramic cup or disposal cup to fill your bearings with rubbing alcohol. Pour in such a way that all bearings get submerged about an inch. Once all the bearings get relieved from their shields, place each in a cup and then see the magic of rubbing alcohol.
What is the best lubricant for ball bearings?
Specifically, oils are the best lubricants for bearing designs. At the same time, high speed and low torques are also suitable for ball bearings. Most importantly, in bearing operations, one must go for oil as a lubricant first. Thus, anyone can get more efficient movement than greases in their ball bearings.
Should bearings be greased or oiled?
As mentioned before, oils are the best lubricants for bearings, so obviously, bearings are better to be oiled. Particularly in open-bearing designs, oils are good. In contrast, bearing operations are also done finely after getting lubricated by oils rather than greases.
Can you put too much grease in a bearing?
Overgreasing of bearings often leads to seal failure and gives dangerous outcomes. Again, heat generation will occur if you put too much grease in your bearings. And when bearing cavities are pumped up with many greases, they get filled and create more heat.
Do sealed bearings require lubrication?
Of course, sealed bearings require lubrication. Sealed bearings take the help of external seals. As a result, there comes no way out except for sealing bearings with lubricants. Mostly, sealed bearings are lubricated with grease and hence offer extra protection. So yeah, sealed bearings need lubrication.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you got a definite idea about some stunning solvents above. No doubt, all of them are the best solvent for cleaning bearings. However, a limited choice can make you more determined.
Not knowing, ELSOON Bearing Buddy Wheel and Sonic Citrus Skate Bearing Cleaner are top-leading products in the market. As a result, it is more evident that you must look at these two products first. And if you do not find any match with your preferences here, there are several options above as well. Sometimes, they are more dangerous to use (cool), but are a more superior solution to cleaning dirty bearings.
Let us know which one you liked.
