With the weather getting harsher by the day, there’s bound to be some effect on your skateboard if you love skating. Especially the wheels! Be it water, slippery sideways and soiled paths, it could have bearings on your wheel! (pun intended!) Rest assured, cleaning your skateboard wheels is not rocket science! This is how you do it in simple steps
Easy ways on How to Clean your Skateboard Wheels
Step 1: Removing the Wheels
- Remove the wheels from the skateboard.
- Turn the skateboard over such that it rests on its deck.
- The wheels will be facing up.
- With the help of a 1/2 inch socket wrench, twist and remove the axle nuts on the outer side of the wheels.
- Keep the nuts, washers etc. in a safe place so you can attach them later.
Step 2: Remove the Wheel Bearings
- Once you have removed the wheels, using the truck axle, (the metal rod to which the wheels were attached)pry open the bearings from the wheels.
- The leverage movement is similar to how you use a bottle opener to open a bottle cap.
- Use the same technique to remove all the other bearings as well.
- You can also use a screwdriver to pry out the bearings.
Note: When you use a screwdriver to remove the wheels, a bearing spacer will fall out from the center of the wheel. It is required to reassemble the wheel and bearings later.
Step 3: Wash the Wheels and Bearings
- Take a large container like a bucket or bowl. Add some water and a few teaspoons of mild soap or dishwashing liquid.
- Stir the mixture till it’s slightly foamy and add the wheels and let them soak for around 10 minutes. Do not add the bearings to it.
- Fill up another bowl with 1/2″ of acetone and put the bearings in the solution and let them sit for a minute. Spin the bearings to ensure the entire bearing has been fully exposed to this solution. Alternately, bearing cleaning kits can be located at most skate shops
Step 4: Wipe the Wheels and Bearings
- Once it is clean, place the bearings in a clean paper tissue to dry. You can use an air dryer to further dry them out.
- Now remove the wheels from the soapy water. You can use a soft rag or a soft toothbrush to scrub the wheels and remove any dirt. Later, use a paper towel to completely dry the wheels.
Step 5: Lubricate the Bearings
- Once the bearings are completely dried, it is important to lubricate them. These are some of the common lubricants.
- Skateboarding oils
- Sewing machine oils
Only 2-3 drops of lubricant per bearing are needed. Spin the bearing to ensure the bearings get evenly coated with the lubricant. Wipe off any excess lubricant from the outside of the bearings with a clean towel.
Note: Use only thin lubricants and avoid thick ones.
Step 6: Reassemble the Bearings and Wheels
- First, reassemble the bearings to the wheels.
- Insert a bearing on the side of the wheel. Use your fingers to snap it into place.
- Turn the wheel over and insert the bearing divider. Then snap the other bearing into place.
- For the wheels, slide the wheel onto the truck axle one by one.
- Put the axle nut back and use the socket wrench to tighten the nut into place.
