How To Clean Skateboard Bearings With Household Items?

It’s no secret that skateboard bearings need to be cleaned on a regular basis in order to perform their best. However, many people don’t know how to clean skateboard bearings with household items. This can lead to decreased performance and even damage to the bearings.

In this article, we will discuss how to clean skateboard bearings with household items? We will provide a step-by-step guide on how to clean your bearings using items you likely have lying around your house.

Why do Skateboard Bearings Need to Be Cleaned?

Skateboard bearings need to be cleaned for a few reasons. First, bearings are made of metal and will inevitably rust over time. This is especially true if the bearings are exposed to moisture or humidity.

Second, bearings can become clogged with dirt, dust, and grime. This can happen even if the bearings are protected from the elements.

Third, if skateboard bearings are not cleaned on a regular basis, they will eventually become seized and will need to be replaced.

How To Clean Skateboard Bearings With Household Items?

Things that are required:

• A bowl
• Warm water
• Mild dish soap
• A clean cloth
• A bit of elbow grease

Step 1:

Start by removing the bearings from your skateboard. Most bearings will have a small rubber or plastic shield that needs to be removed in order to access the bearing itself. Once the shield is removed, the bearing should easily come out of the wheel.

Step 2:

Next, place the bearings in the bowl and add enough warm water to cover them. This will help loosen any dirt or grime that may be on the bearings.

Step 3:

Add a small amount of mild dish soap to the water and stir gently. Stirring too vigorously can damage the bearings.

Step 4:

Let the bearings soak in the soapy water for a few minutes. This will give the soap time to break down any dirt or grime.

Step 5:

After a few minutes, remove the bearings from the water and rinse them off with clean water. Be sure to remove all of the soap, as it can damage the bearings if left on.

Step 6:

 Dry the bearings off with a clean cloth. You can also allow them to air dry if you wish. Also, you can place it on paper for a few minutes. Drying them is important because if there is any water left on the bearings, it can cause them to rust.

Step 7:

Lubricate the bearings with a small amount of bearing oil or lubricant. This will help keep the bearings from rusting and will also make them spin more smoothly.

Step 8:

Finally, replace the shields on the bearings and put them back on the wheels. Once the bearings are in place, you can put the wheels back on your skateboard and enjoy a smoother ride.

Cleaning Bearings – THE VINEGAR METHOD

If you don’t have any bearing cleaning or alcohol, you can clean your skateboard bearings using vinegar.

Remove the bearings from your wheels and place them in a container to begin. Fill the container halfway with water and a couple of drops of vinegar. After that, soak the bearings for at least an hour.

After the bearings have soaked, clean any leftover debris away with a toothbrush. Finally, before reinstalling the bearings in your skateboard, rinse them with clean water and allow them to dry fully.

Regardless of which method you use, ensure the bearings are totally dry before reinstalling them in your skateboard. They can corrode and ruin your skateboard if they’re even slightly damp. So, before you use them again, make sure they’re thoroughly dry.

How To Clean Bearings Without Removing Them?

The majority of folks have no idea how to clean skateboard bearings without having to remove them. This is actually fairly easy to do and only involves a few ingredients that you most likely already have on hand.

• WD-40
• A toothbrush
• Some paper towels

To begin, take off your skateboard’s wheels. Next, spray a liberal amount of WD-40 onto the paper towels with the paper towels. WD-40 is an excellent degreaser that will aid in the removal of any grime or debris from your bearings. After you’ve sprayed the paper towels, scrub the bearings with the toothbrush. Make a point of exploring all of the nooks and crannies.

Take some more paper towels and wipe off any excess WD-40 after you’ve washed the bearings with the WD-40 and toothbrush. You don’t want any WD-40 left on the bearings since it will attract more dirt and filth. Reassemble your skateboard after wiping off the WD-40 and enjoy skating on clean bearings!

FAQs

Q: How often should I clean my skateboard bearings?

A: This is actually a difficult question to answer since it largely depends on how often you skate and in what conditions. A good rule of thumb is to give your bearings a thorough cleaning at least once every month or two. However, if you skate in particularly dirty or wet conditions, you may need to clean them more often.

Q: How can I tell if my skateboard bearings need to be replaced?

A: There are a few telltale signs that your bearings may need to be replaced. First of all, if your skateboard starts making strange noises, it’s a good idea to check your bearings. Also, if your skateboard feels slower than usual or doesn’t spin as smoothly, those are also both signs that your bearings may need to be replaced.

Q: What can I use to lubricate my skateboard bearings?

A: There are a few different types of lubricants that you can use on your skateboard bearings. The most common type is bearing oil, but you can also use other types of lubricants such as WD-40 or Vaseline. Just make sure not to use too much since that can attract more dirt and debris.

Conclusion

Cleaning your skateboard bearings is a fairly simple process that doesn’t take too much time. Just remember to be thorough and use the right type of cleaning solution for the job. And, most importantly, make sure the bearings are completely dry before using them again. Skateboarding is much more fun when you don’t have to worry about your bearings!

In the guide, we have looked at how to clean your skateboard bearings using a few different methods. Bearing oil, WD-40, and vinegar are all effective at cleaning your bearings and getting rid of any dirt or debris.

We hope that this guide was helpful and that you now feel confident in cleaning your skateboard bearings. If you have any questions or would like to share any tips, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!