How to Clean Skateboard Bearings

Begin by removing the axle nuts with your skate tool or wrench and sliding the wheels off of your truck axle. Make sure to keep track of the washers between the axle nuts and the inside of the axle and the bearings. We find it best to organize and store the axle nuts and speed washers in a small tray so you don't lose any small pieces of hardware. 

The next step in cleaning your skateboard bearings involves removing the bearings from the wheels and taking off their shields. To do this, you can use the axle of your truck to pry the bearings out of the wheels. Start by sliding the wheel halfway onto the end of the axle so that only one bearing is on the axle. Then, twist the wheel outward and around while prying the bearing out. Flip the wheel over and repeat the process for the other bearing. 

Once the bearings are out, you'll need to remove the shields. You can do this with a sharp and pointy object like a razor blade, thumbtack, or safety pin. Be careful not to bend or damage the shield, as it could rub against the ball bearings when you reassemble everything. It's important to keep track of the shields in your hardware tray as well. 

Once you have removed the bearings and bearing shields from your wheels, it's time to give them a deep clean. To do so, you'll need a cleaner or solvent that is not water-based. Acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and mineral spirits are all good options for this task. However, it's important to wear gloves and avoid contact with your skin when using these solvents. 

To begin, you will need a dish or wide-mouthed bottle to act as a container for soaking the bearings. Place the bearings in the container and add enough cleaner to fully cover them. Swirl the bearings around in the cleaner every few minutes to ensure that they are getting fully cleaned. If necessary, you can also use a rag or old toothbrush to scrub any stubborn grime or dirt. 

For even faster and more efficient results, we highly recommend using the Bones Bearing Cleaning Kit. This kit offers a mess-free way to vigorously shake your bearings in the cleaner, helping to remove dirt and grime faster without causing damage to the bearings. It's important to soak the bearings for several minutes to ensure that they are fully cleaned. Once the bearings are clean, remove them from the cleaner and wipe them off with a clean rag 

Get a Bones Cleaning Kit

After soaking the bearings in a solvent or cleaner, it's time to dry them off as quickly as possible. To do this, you can tap them face down on a dry rag or paper towel while spinning them. Another option is to use a hair dryer or compressed air if you have access to them. 

Once the bearings are dry, it's important to re-lubricate them to prevent damaging friction. For this step, we recommend using a skate-specific bearing lubricant such as Bones Speed Cream or Bronson Speed Co. High-Speed Ceramic Oil. To lubricate the bearings, drip 1-2 drops of lube into each bearing and then spin it to ensure that the oil is evenly distributed. Repeat this process for all eight bearings. 

It's essential to avoid using WD-40 as a lubricant because the effects will wear off quickly, leaving the bearings dry and vulnerable to rust. Instead, it's best to use a lubricant designed specifically for skateboard bearings to keep them running smoothly for longer.

Get Bones Speed Cream

Get Bronson Bearing Oil

This is the final step to complete the bearing cleaning process. Once your bearings are clean, dry, and lubricated, you need to put the bearing shields back on before mounting the bearings back onto the wheels. 

Placing the bearing shields back on is an easy task compared to removing them. Just set them in place and gently press from the center outwards until they snap back on. This ensures that the shields are in their original position and will protect the bearings from dust, dirt, and debris while you skate. 

Once the shields are back on, you can mount the bearings back onto the wheels. Before doing so, make sure to replace the bearing spacers between the bearings if your bearings have them. These spacers sit between the two bearings when in the wheel and help to distribute the weight evenly. If you have speed washers, place them back onto your truck axle before tightening your axle nuts. This will help to keep the bearings spinning smoothly and prevent any unnecessary wear and tear. 

With the bearings back on your wheels, you're ready to roll with a new bearing feel!