Riding a smooth Longboard is a fun activity, but the wheels get blocked with dirt and rocks. When you feel the Longboard is getting sticky while riding, it’s time to clean Longboard wheels. Whether you are a pro or a newbie, it is essential to clean the Longboard bearings for safe riding, or it may result in some serious injuries. However, it is also crucial to select the best Longboard bearings to ensure a super smooth ride for a long time. Luckily, there are easy and effective ways to help you with how to clean Longboard bearings at home. Once you are done with cleaning, you will be cruising in no time.
[acf field=”how_to”]How to Clean Longboard Wheels at Home?
Cleaning the Skateboard wheels can be a tricky task, especially when you are a beginner. However, following these steps can help you to get the job done.
You need the following things for cleaning Longboard wheels.
- Paper towels
- Socket Wrench or Skate tool
- Thin Lubricant
- Clean rags
- Bowl
- Solvent
- Dish Soap
1. Cleaning Longboard Wheels
Start with removing the longboard wheels from the axle using a socket wrench. Turn your Longboard over so with the wheels facing up. Take the socket wrench for twisting and removing the axle nuts of the wheels. Don’t forget to keep the removed material in one place as you will need them for reassembling. Carefully place them so you can find and attach them without any hassle.
Grab a wheel and place the center against the rod that it was attached to. Now use the rod for popping the bearing out of your wheel. Use this technique for all four Longboard wheels and keep these bearings in a prominent spot so you don’t lose track of them.
Don’t forget to keep the wheels and bearings separate from each other, so they are simple to clean.
If you are unable to remove the bearing using this technique, try a screwdriver to pry out the wheel bearings. Just hold on to the wheel sides in front of you, insert the screwdriver tip in the front of the wheel and pull a screwdriver to the side for releasing the bearing.
The bearing spacer will fall out from the wheel center when you remove the bearings from the Longboard wheel. Keep them in a safe place so you can easily reassemble the bearings and wheel later.
Take a rag and wipe off the wheel’s surface to remove dirt and rocks. To loosen any rocks or gravel, use your fingers and then use the rag to scrub hard for super dirty areas. You can also use a toothbrush for this purpose too.
Fill your sink or bucket with warm water and 1-2 tablespoons of dish soap. Stir this mixture up until it’s sudsy. Now soak the dirty Longboard wheels in this cleaning solution for 10 minutes.
Don’t soak the bearings, as it can lead them to catch rust. Warm water effectively loosens the stuck-on dirt and grime from wheels to clean them.
After 10 minutes, take the wheel out of the soapy water and give a decent scrub down to them. Make sure to wipe down both inside and outside of the wheels to give them a sparkling appearance.
Grab another rag and wipe the wheels off until they are dried properly. Before reassembling your skateboard, make sure the wheel is dried to prevent slipping and falling during riding.
2. Cleaning Longboard Bearings
Place the razor blade in between the bearing edge and bearing shield. Now push the blade down gently to the pope, the shield of the bearing.
You can also use a screwdriver or safety pin instead of a razor blade. Make sure to treat it gently, as you can damage this ultra-thin material if treated roughly. Some Longboard bearings are equipped with one shield, whereas others have shields on two sides.
You can use mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol to clean the bearings. If you prefer a less harsh cleaning solvent, you can also use liquid citrus. Pour your cleaning solvent in a plastic container or bowl to get ready for the bearings. Make sure to use gloves if you are using a harsh cleaning solvent.
Drop the bearings into this cleaning solution and soak them for about 5 minutes. Swirl them properly around the container so all the sides get completely covered. Don’t leave the bearings for too long as the solution can damage them.
Grab your gloves and take out all the bearings from the container. Tap the bearings onto a clean paper towel one by one to get rid of the excess solvent and dry the bearings off.
Use a toothbrush to remove the solvent. Take sewing machine oil, best bearing oil, or any electronic oil and add 2-3 drops to each bearing. Now spin it to ensure all the bearing balls are coated evenly. Take a paper towel and wiped off any excess oil.
Don’t use too much lubricant, as it can clog up your bearings. Never use thick oils for lubrication, such as motor oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil, as they can clog up the Longboard. Don’t use bleach on the wheels as it can dry out the rubber of the wheels and cause them to weaken.
3. Reassembling the Longboard
Take the bearing shield and use your thumbs to snap the shield onto the exposed side of the bearings. Push one bearing to the Longboard wheel and use your fingers for snapping it into the right place. Now turn the wheel over and insert the bearing divider.
Slide wheels onto the truck axle and put the axle nut back on the outside of all wheels. Use a socket wrench to tighten the nut properly in place and then give the Longboard wheels a spin. Enjoy super smooth-riding with brand new Longboard wheels.
Safety Tips
- Never use thick oils for lubrication.
- Avoid using bleach on wheels.
- Don’t use commercial cleaners as they are expensive and contain harsh chemicals that can cause skin issues.
- Don’t spin the bearing for removing solvent as it could splash chemicals into your face or eyes.
- Use a plastic cup to keep all removed objects in one place and then use them easily for reassembling.
