How to clean bearings?

[AwkwardTurtle]

Today, you would find me surfing YouTube and Googling things that I don't know and trying to see if anyone has shared the topic here to discuss. But...

I've just came across a bearing cleaning tutorial. And I have very little experience with this since my skates are old and the tool I'm using isn't very effective since the screws are old and aren't as strong as they were before. I mean.. when you try to take them out or tighten them, it starts to mess up with the shape of the screw's thing.. the star looking thing.. what is the name for that.. Lets just say, I don't clean my bearings at all, but don't be too frightened to hear that, I've only skated on them for less than a month when you add up all the days.

Here's the video I've found: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTb448Kq3fs&NR=1

Oh goodies! Here are the questions:

What is the most effective method to clean your bearings, is it like the one in the video above? Or do you have something else in mind that you use/someone else uses/you do not use yet?

What is a less effective method, but faster to clean your bearings? Do you use WD40 or some other type of oil? Any lubricants in particular?

Are there any tools like the one in the video that are helpful and make life easier?


Any comments, suggestions, concerns? Lets discuss!

[InlineLeo]

It's a question for a whole book. I'd say it's a separate inline sports discipline - bearing cleaning.
In Russia they even construct bearing-washing machines, like this one:

[Salamanda]

There's a sticky about cleaning bearings in the Doc Sk8 subforum. I'd link it but I'm being lazy.

[Elysarian]

Originally Posted by Salamanda

There's a sticky about cleaning bearings in the Doc Sk8 subforum. I'd link it but I'm being lazy.

You mean this thread?