Originally Posted by Hooliator
I was told by an auto mechanic who has an insane depth of knowledge about way too many things NOT to use solvent on bearings because there is a chemical coating put on at the factory which causes grease to adhere to the balls. Solvent removes said coating. He said just really hot water, dish soap, and a cleaning brush is the thing. I tried it and the bearing is clean as a whistle at way lower cost than buying solvent.
Anybody else hear about this chemical coating? Was he pulling my leg?
Anyway as I said, the bearing is shiny, like new now. Ultra Dawn, cheaper than solvent.
I came across an article that refers to "grease plating". It doesn't say when/where this process is used. It doesn't look like anything that would be done to bicycle bearings. Here is a quote;
"A unique process of applying a thin film of grease to all bearing surfaces is by grease plating. The bearing is coated with a mixture of grease and solvents. The solvent is removed by heating, leaving a thin film of grease on all surfaces. Although there are limitations to this method, plating gives lower torque than a grease pack and retains the lubricant on bearing surfaces better than oil lubrication."
Here is the link;
http://www.bearings.machinedesign.co...emech6_44.aspx
"The solution to achieving low torque in precision ball bearings, without the problems generally associated with lubrication migration.
Micro Grade Grease Plate, known as MGGP, was developed by AST Bearings for those customers that require low torque bearings without the lubricant migration associated with oil lubrication.
MGGP lubricated bearings appear to have all internal surfaces spray painted with grease. All of the working surfaces, such as the balls, ball separators, and raceways, are coated with a thin film of grease that is sufficient for the life of the bearing. Many customers have taken advantage of bearings lubricated with the MGGP process for such applications as optical encoders, printers, brush type D.C. motors, video cameras, clutches/brakes as well as numerous military applications.
The MGGP process involves taking the candidate grease and mixing it with a volatile solvent and additional parts of the grease’s base oil (the amounts of each constituent are closely controlled), until it becomes the aproximate consistency of enamel paint. This mixture is then injected into the bearing. Next, the solvents are baked off at a low temperature, leaving the desired plating of the original grease. The thickness of the final plating can be very accurately controlled.
Most grease lubricants can be applied to precision ball bearings using the MGGP process. Check with one of our application engineers or customer service representatives for availability."