Scotch Brite engines bearings

Have you guys heard of using scotch brite on engine bearings before assembly? Meaning washing your bearings with dawn soap and using very lightly some scotch brite pads on them in the direction of rotation to clean them before assembly? How many engine builders do this? Is this really a thing?

It was popular to do this long ago before HP style bearings were available.  Many engine builders would use green scotch brite to remove the overplating on the bearing especially those from Clevite because it is only there for cosmetic reasons and in some cases it could come loose, flake and "pack up" which might cause bearing problems.  Now that you can get HP bearings without the overplate there is nothing to remove.  With that said I've used it before when I'm going to reuse a bearing just to smooth it up and remove any little rough spots.

I still use it, and clean with lacquer thinner. I think it holds oil on the bearings on start up during cranking. May not help but I don't think it hurts.

Old habit that is hard to break.

IDT-572 wrote:I still use it, and clean with lacquer thinner. I think it holds oil on the bearings on start up during cranking. May not help but I don't think it hurts.  

Old habit that is hard to break.

Oh what the Heck would you know about engines? I got some scotch bright for you  

Up your Cartwright
Albert

Imo old school practice that’s not necessary