How to Clean My Longboard Wheels and Bearings

The most important part of a properly functioning longboard is fast spinning wheels, but the wheels will not spin fast if the bearings are covered in gunk. The bearings are responsible for making the wheel spin, so having dirt trapped in the bearings causes friction that slows the wheels down. Cleaning the bearings can seriously transform your longboard from a hardly moving workout to an easy form of transportation without you have to spend a dime.

Things You'll Need

  • Ratchet
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Rag
  • Paper towel
  • Cup
  • 2 ounces of paint thinner
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Skate lubricant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fit a ratchet over the end of the nut on your wheel and loosen it until it can be removed. Remove the nut and the wheel, since the bearings are located inside the wheels. Place a flathead screwdriver inside the wheel and push the bearings out.

    • 2

      Wipe off the trucks (the ends where the wheels came from) using a rag or paper towel. Fill a cup with 2 ounces of paint thinner and place the bearings and spacers inside the cup. Use the Phillips screwdriver to stir the bearings for 5 minutes. The movement from the stirring loosens the grime from the bearings.

    • 3

      Remove the bearings and spacers from the cup of paint thinner, wrap them inside a paper towel and let them dry completely.

    • 4

      Spread skate lubricant on the end of the trucks and bearings. Place the bearings and spacers back in the wheels, then put the wheels on the trucks and tighten the nut at the end of the wheel.