How To Clean Roller Skate Bearings

If you are someone who likes to roller skate, and can afford your own pair, then you should know how to clean roller skate bearings.

The majority of bearings available on the market are constructed of the same materials, thus many of them could be maintained in a similar manner with a few small variations, it is important to understand this.

Cleaning roller skate bearings is really straightforward. Regular cleaning extends the life of the roller skate.

Therefore, cleaning and lubricating your roller skates at frequent intervals is the best approach to extending their lifespan.

After each use is preferred by some skaters, however, this largely depends on where you’ve skated. This may not even be necessary if you skate indoors, but if you skate outdoors on roller skate paths, you may want to take this precaution.

One thing we know for sure is that you ride better on roller skates if you frequently clean the bearings. whether you are a novice or a seasoned pro.

Should The Bearings Be Replaced Or Cleaned 

If it has been a while since you last cleaned your bearings, you may want to think about this choice.

Cleaning your bearings could be a futile effort if they have been ignored for a time. Opening them up and taking a look inside can be the only means to be certain. Keep in mind that dirty bearings result in a less comfortable ride.

Understand that cleansing the old or new bearings is a continuous procedure whether you decide to replace them or not.

Based on where and how frequently you have always used your roller skates, you are the best judge.

The procedure is not at all difficult once you know what you’re doing and you’ve established a clear system for cleaning your bearings. There are several ways to accomplish this; we’ll share a few with you.

Things You Will Need To Clean Your Bearings:

• a bearing removal tool or a tool that can prise apart the bearing shields
• a fitting roller skate wheel tool
• a cleanser for the skate bearings
• lubricant for skateboard bearings
• Paper towels or fabric for drying
• Paper towels or fabric for drying
• An actionable plan and a road map for your destination are equally necessary. It is best to gather your tools in advance because you’ll need to dismantle, clean, lubricate, and rebuild all the components of your roller skates in order to properly clean them.

The Steps For Cleaning Your Skate Bearings

STEP 1

The first step involves removing the bearings from off the wheels, which calls for the proper tools because doing so without them could result in the destruction of your bearings.

Your bearings’ race or shield should not be damaged because doing so would likely result in improper movement following cleaning.

Obtain a reliable bearing removal tool. The tool should have a button on its top that has to be pressed. In order to align this tool with the bearing center, you must first locate a small hole that will suit onto your skate axle.

Based on the area where you skated, it can be loaded with trash, so make certain to search for it thoroughly.

The bearing should come right out of the wheel when you activate the button located at the top of the tool.

Keep in mind that this is not how bearings on wheels with aluminum hubs function. Some folks favor using an Allen wrench or wheel tool to pry the skate wheels off their axles. The skate wheels’ bearings are then removed.

Bearings are typically removed by either pressing or pulling it out. Because you can locate both press and pull bearing ends on one tool, some wheel tools are highly useful.

You must put the tool’s push end into the bearing with firm pressure in order to detach the wheel from the bearing. With a click or snap, the bearing will separate from the wheel.

Some folks will need to place the wheel tool further into bearing because their bearings are short and floaty. The bearing should then be removed from the wheel.

Don’t damage the wheel hub, please. If you wish to prevent damage, remove the outer race out from bearings carefully.

STEP 2

The skate bearings must then be taken apart. Start by taking off the bearing shields. Shields typically come in two varieties: rubber shields and metallic shields with C-rings.

The metallic covers that are included with C-rings are typically a tiny piece of aluminum that rests beneath the inner lip that secures the protection for the bearing.

Lift the C-ring cautiously off the bearing using your prying tool. The shield will then just fall out if you touch the bearing’s edge against the edge of your table.

The more pricey bearings come with rubber shields, and taking them off is a little bit simpler. It can be easily removed from the bearing using the end of a Brad, thumbtack, or paperclip.

STEP 3

The bearing components are then immersed in a glass or plastic container with roller skate bearing cleaner.

A cover for the container would be preferable. You just need to choose the best roller skate bearing cleaning among the many that are offered on the market.

Just about enough bearing cleaner should be added to the container to completely cover all the bearing components.

For the best effects, it might be a good idea to permit the bearings to soak in the chemical throughout the night.

All the dirt and debris on the bearings will then have time to degrade in this way. Having said that, you must adhere to the cleaning product’s instructions and make adjustments as necessary.

STEP 4

When the appropriate length of time has passed, you can start shaking the bucket with the bearing components inside to get rid of all the debris.

After that, you can carefully empty the jug of the wasted chemicals, ensuring that none of the components escape.

Repeat this procedure with fresh bearing cleaner if you wish to be exceptionally thorough and make sure all the pieces are well cleaned.

Many people repeat this process until the bearing cleaner is mostly transparent after the bearings have already been submerged for the required amount of time. You can tell that your bearings are entirely clean by looking at them.

STEP 5

Once you’re happy, you can wipe away the remaining liquid from the bearings and lay the component pieces on a napkin or towel to finish drying them out.

Some individuals blow on the bearings to ensure that every component is thoroughly cleaned.

STEP 6

Put the lubricant in. This step is crucial since your bearings require the right lubrication to function.

You can reinstall the bearings then add a quality lubricant once you are convinced that all of the bearing components are completely dry.

Give the lube 10 minutes to soak up inside the bearings. After that, you must spin each bearing while holding it in your hand to make sure the lubricant is dispersed uniformly, taking extra care to ensure that all of the bearings’ balls are adequately coated.

STEP 7

Reinstalling the bearings on the wheels and thereafter mounting the wheels to the axles would be the final steps.

When completing this procedure, exercise caution to prevent bearing race damage when reinstalling the bearings on the wheels.

Roller Skate Bearing Solutions And How To Choose Them

Some folks favor using 70% on average rubbing alcohol for the bearings. But if you can locate booze with a 99% average, that is actually preferable.

These are not often readily available over the counter, but your pharmacist might be able to help.

While kerosene and paint thinner are sometimes possible solutions, they have the drawbacks of having a strong smell and being quite hard on skin that is already sensitive.

The next best choice is to get a cleaning made specifically for roller skate bearings from a skate store or skating facility.

There are a few environmentally friendly treatments available as well, but you must make sure that your bearings are free of any residue or film in order for them to roll smoothly.

Washing your bearings using dish soap is the most detrimental thing you can do.

Things To Remember

1.As we’ve previously stated, dish soap should never be used to cleanse any roller skate bearings. Instead, stay away from using regular soap and water. Soaking your bearings in detergent and water would be a catastrophic error since they would rust quickly.

The best course of action in the event that you’ve made this dreadful error is to dry off your bearing as quickly as possible. However, let them dry naturally because applying any heat will cause the bearing’s sections to shrink, which also isn’t a good idea.

2. Do not forget about the shields and crowns. It may be wise to refrain from using abrasive solvents just on crown because they may cause the material to deteriorate. However, you can still wash it with water and soap using a toothbrush.

Make sure to dry it thoroughly to prevent any water from entering the bearings. When you are immersing the bearings in alcohol, is the ideal moment to clean the crowns.

3. Dry the bearings thoroughly; keep in mind that while some solvents, such as those based in alcohol, tend to evaporate rapidly, others do not. Take this into consideration when you dry the bearings since even a small amount of moisture can cause rust and other problems for your bearings.

Your roller skates will eventually stop rolling the same way, and they could need to be completely replaced. It’s a good idea to apply alcohol with something like a 99% t average. Some individuals repeatedly blow out the bearings to make sure there is no moisture left behind.

4. It’s all in the Lube – If you want a pleasant ride, you must absolutely lubricate your bearings properly. Although some individuals prefer to add their lubricants after applying the shields, you can do so as well. All of this is dependent upon the kind of bearings you choose and how the roller skating bearings were put together.

On each bearing, a few droplets of any oil-based lubrication should be adequate. Skateboard lubricants are occasionally used, but they are not required. Utilizing 3-in-1 automobile oil as a lubricant is an additional choice.

Others still favor using hair clipper speed cream, which appears to function fairly effectively. The fundamental function of lubrication is to lessen friction and heat, providing a free-flowing, smooth ride on the roller skates.

5. Do not forget to rotate the bearings with your fingers. You know you need to add more lubrication if you hear resistance in the bearings. As the bearings move, you really would like to notice a smooth whir. You must instantly stop spinning and look into the issue if any strange noises are coming from your bearings.

Your bearings may need to be disassembled since there could be a malfunction that could harm specific components. Add the lubrication and give it another go if you’re certain the issue has been fixed. The single most crucial task you can perform to prolong the life of your roller skate is to keep it clean and well-greased.

Final Words

If you skate in any way, you are aware that you should generally steer clear of sand, water, and humid environments.

Rust thrives in wet conditions, which reduces the efficiency of your bearings. Both the pace and the fluidity of the roll will often be noticeable.

Nevertheless, due to the fact that many people prefer to roller skate outside, especially in the summer, it may be practically difficult to completely prevent any wet circumstances surrounding your skates. This suggests that dust and other particles can get into your bearings.

Depending on how often and where you’ve used your roller skates, make sure to clean the bearings every few months.

If you don’t do this, you run the danger of performing poorly the next time you use these roller skates. Spending the time necessary to keep cleaning your roller skates is well worthwhile.