When: Depends on several factors, but usually
every 1-3 months
. Why? Skate bearings help your wheels roll freely, but the more you skate, the more debris gets stuck in the bearings and causes friction—the opposite of what you want! Cleaning your bearings removes dirt and grime and keeps you rolling smoothly.
How do you maintain skateboard bearings?
Is it worth it to clean skateboard bearings?
By cleaning your skateboard bearings,
you’ll not only save money but enjoy skating faster, smoother and even longer
. Not too mention, it’s practically free to do so. For less than a cup of coffee you can significantly clean your bearings and improve your skate experience.
How long do skateboard bearings last?
The average lifespan of skateboard bearings is
1 to 2 years
if given proper care and maintenance. Bearings get tired too, and remember that too much of anything isn’t good at all. Too much wetness, sliding, and fast jumping will cause your skateboard bearings to wear out faster.
Do I need to lube my bearings?
The super quick and dirty way to make your bearings run faster is to just chuck some Bearing Lube in there
. This might do quite a good job of pushing any moisture out and preventing any rust – but it will not remove any dirt from your bearings, which is what causes them to wear and run slowly.
How do I know if my skateboard bearings are bad?
Can I use olive oil on skateboard bearings?
For real though,
DO NOT put olive oil on your setup
. You will ruin your bearings. Olive oil, like all vegetable oils, goes rancid and will gum up your bearings. It is also fairly heat sensitive, and even though you don’t feel your bearings getting hot they do.
Should you lube new skateboard bearings?
Buying New.
In most cases, all you need to do is lube them and spin the wheels
but, every once in a while, you need to give your bearings a full cleanup to revive their original characteristics and improve the skating experience.
Can I use Vaseline on my bearings?
When it comes to bearing,
only use petroleum jelly for emergency fixes
. However, if the metal temperature of the bearing will not get to the melting point of petroleum jelly, Vaseline should work fine. Unfortunately, Vaseline also dries faster, and you have to remove the old one and apply a new layer regularly.
Is WD40 OK for skateboard bearings?
Never use WD-40 to clean your skateboard bearings
.
WD-40 is designed for removing rust and grime, however, it’s not a lubricant. Even though it might seem great at first, WD-40 will dry your bearings out quickly and then you need to keep reapplying it until you’re in need of new bearings. Don’t be tempted to use WD-40.
How do I make my skateboard bearings faster?
The maximum speed can be increased by
use of a high speed lubricant and also with a high speed retainer
. Rubber contact seals will reduce the maximum bearing speed. High precision bearings will run at higher speeds thanks to the superior roundness and finish of the balls and bearing rings.
How often should you replace your bearings?
Wheel bearings have an average lifespan of
136,000 to 160,000 km
(approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles). This is only a rule of thumb though, the actual lifespan of a wheel bearing depends on the quality of the wheel bearing and the operating conditions.
How long do skateboard decks last?
Depending on how often you skate and your style, skateboard decks can last
between 2 weeks and 6 months
. If you only skate mini ramp a deck can last for years, technical street skaters can destroy a deck within weeks.
How long should bearings spin for?
Generally, wheels should spin for
at least 10 seconds
and not stall out. Also, new bearings have a minor break-in period, some quicker than others.
Do bearings come pre greased?
FOR STARTERS, note that
most sealed bearings come pre-greased from the factory
with a 25%-35% grease fill. This is all the grease the bearings will ever need, because the relubrication interval (explained below) is longer than the expected life of the bearing.
Can bearings be over greased?
Too much grease volume (overgreasing) in a bearing cavity will cause the rotating bearing elements to begin churning the grease, pushing it out of the way, resulting in energy loss and rising temperatures.
Are skateboard bearings lubricated?
Every skateboarder knows that investing in a good set of bearings can significantly change the way a ride performs. But do you know bearings require maintenance too? Although often overlooked,
lubricating your bearings regularly enhances their longevity and most importantly, keeps your skateboard riding safe
.
Does water ruin skateboard bearings?
Water is bad for the bearings, board, trucks and bolts
. Plus, you might have to deal with hydroplaning, which could affect your ability to control the skateboard. So, try not to skate in the rain or through puddles.
Can you clean bearings with water?
It really depends on the the kind of bearing.
If it’s stainless steel, you can rinse it out with water, dry it with a blow dryer, and then lube it back up
. But what’s more likely is it’s made from high carbon steel, which will patina the second it gets wet.
How do you check bearings?
In the case of small non-separable ball bearings,
hold the bearing horizontally in one hand, and then rotate the outer ring to confirm that it turns smoothly
. Separable bearings such as tapered roller bearings may be checked by individually examining their rolling elements and the outer ring raceway.
What should I use to lubricate my bearings?
Oil
. Oil is the ideal method of lubrication for rolling element bearings.
What do you lubricate skateboard bearings with?
We recommend using a skate-specific bearing lubricant like
Bones Speed Cream or Bronson Speed Co. High Speed Ceramic Oil
. Drip 1-2 drops of lube into the bearing, then spin it to evenly distribute the oil.
What can I use to lubricate my bearings?
- Bath.
- Splash.
- Air/ oil mist.
- Jet.
Are Super Reds worth it?
Super REDSTM are
a superior bearing, using higher quality steel races, better quality and grade balls, and a superior surface finish
. The result is a bearing that is as fast as REDSTM but quieter, smoother, and longer lasting.
Can you use nail polish remover to clean skateboard bearings?
“You’ll need to remove the bearing shields if your bearings have them. Just poke them out with a paper clip. Then
soak your bearings in acetone, nail-polish remover or rubbing alcohol
. Spin them dry and make sure all the dust and dirt are out.
Do bearing spacers slow you down?
This will slow your bearings down
and wear them out super fast! Skaters without bearing spacers might find it easier to just run their axle nuts a bit loose to keep the wheels spinning freely. This is even worse! A wheel that is loose on the axle will give a noisy, chattery ride.
