- Skateboard Lubricating Guide
Everyone understands that regular upkeep of their skateboard is just as important as mastering tricks. That’s why we want to provide you with the essential tutorial to oiling your skateboard bearings. Proper lubricating keeps your ride smooth and extends the life of your skateboard parts, making every trick easier and more enjoyable.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skateboard rider, this article will help you understand each part of your skateboard, choose the right lubricant for optimal performance, and walk you through the process.
We’ll also share common mistakes to avoid and tips for regular maintenance. We want to make sure your rides are always smooth and effortless, so let us help you take care of your board.
By following the advice in this step, you can keep your ride running smoothly and make your tricks look even better. With a little care and attention, we can keep our boards rolling together!
Key Takeaways
- Everyone can feel the importance of skateboard maintenance, and keeping it oiled is a key part of that skateboard. We’ve provided an essential guide to skateboard lubrication, from choosing the right lubricant to avoiding skateboard greasing common mistakes.
- Not only will regular skateboard maintenance make your ride smoother, but it will also help preserve and extend the life and durability of your skateboard. It’s important to protect skateboard bearings, clean skateboard decks, and check for skateboard loose parts. No matter how daunting the task may seem initially, with regular skateboard maintenance, you’ll be an expert in no time.
Importance Of Greasing Skateboard
You might not realize it, but oiling is absolutely crucial for your ride’s performance and longevity – let’s dive into why.
Greasing skateboard bearings, especially with ceramic bearings, is important for bearing maintenance as lubricated bearings improve performance, and using a bearing cleaner with a bearing puller is a very good idea to remove dirty bearings.
Lubricating benefits include smoother rides, less wear and tear, and extended board life. Meanwhile, neglecting lubrication can have damaging consequences, such as accelerated wear and tear, making your ride rougher, and even lower board life expectancy. So, keep this in mind as you seek to serve others with your skating skills. Skateboarding is an activity that involves many components, such as boards, trucks, wheels, bearings, and lubricating.
Bearings are cylindrical objects that allow the wheels to rotate freely and efficiently. Oil helps reduce friction and keep the bearings running smoothly, thus enhancing the skateboard’s performance and lifespan. Applying lubricant is an important maintenance step that should not be neglected. With proper lubricating, skateboarders can enjoy a smoother ride and increased durability of their boards.
Understanding Skateboard Parts
Before we dive into the specifics of maintenance, let’s get familiar with the basic parts of that deck you’re riding. Customization is all about choosing the right components for your ride style.
Wheels come in various sizes and shapes, and choosing the right one depends on the rider’s preference. Bearings are the components that help the wheels to roll, and the type of bearing used can affect the speed of the longboard. Trucks are the components that attach the wheels to the deck, and the size and type of truck can affect the overall performance of the skateboard.
Now, let’s move on to discussing how to choose the right oil for your skateboard.
Choosing The Right Grease
Choosing the right lubricant for your skateboard’s wheels and bearings is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration. Not only does the right lubricant make your board roll faster, but it also helps to preserve its longevity by reducing wear and tear.
To choose the right skateboard bearing lubricant for new bearings, check if it’s compatible with a bearing shield, and consider using a good skateboard-specific lubricant like sewing machine oil; avoid using razor blades, which can destroy bearings, and prioritize maintaining the performance of skateboard wheels.
From various types of lubricants to eco-friendly options, this article encourages you to choose wisely. Not only for the sake of your board but for the benefit of our environment, too. Applying oil effectively is key for a smooth ride, and the next section will cover how to do just that.
Step-By-Step Guide Of Skateboard Lubrication
Diving into the nitty-gritty of oiling those squeaky wheels, let’s break down the step-by-step process to get you rolling faster and with less effort. We need to consider timings because how often you clean skateboard bearings impacts your ride and our environment. Done right, this simple task can make a world of difference. But beware! It’s easy to slip up. Common pitfalls to watch out for include improper techniques, inadequate oil, and over-oiling.
Common Greasing Mistakes To Avoid
Navigating the process of oiling up those skate bearings and wheels, it’s crucial to sidestep common oiling mishaps that could potentially hinder your ride.
- Skateboard Lubrication Overuse: Too much skateboard-bearing oil or skateboard-bearing lube can clog bearings and reduce performance.
- Neglected Cleaning: Clean your skateboard. Dirty skateboard wheels can affect the performance and longevity of the board.
- Incorrect Skateboard Products: Not all skateboard lubricants are equal, and one must be mindful of the type of lubricant used.
- Rushed Job: Proper skateboard lubrication doesn’t happen instantaneously; patience is key!
Avoid common skateboard greasing mistakes by using white lithium grease, cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, removing dirt with compressed air, maintaining roll speed, and not overheating bearings with a hair dryer during the cleaning process; ensure not to damage rubber shields and consider seeking advice from skate shops.
Aside from this, to avoid common skateboard greasing mistakes, when cleaning and lubricating your bearings, use a cleaning agent, a clean cloth, and a container; avoid soaking, remove bearings from the axle, and ensure proper replacement with good bearings.
With these pitfalls avoided, let’s smoothly transition into discussing regular maintenance and care for your beloved skateboard. It is important to remember that proper lubricating and care of your skateboard will ensure a smooth, long-lasting ride.
Regular Maintenance And Care
Regular maintenance and care for your skateboard are essential for long-lasting rides and an enduring connection with your trusted board. Cleaning it properly and wearing protective gear are the keys to keeping it in tip-top shape.
Maintain and take care of your skateboard by periodically removing bearings, using a heat gun to remove metal shields, cleaning your bearings for deeper cleaning, and replacing old grease; consider seeking assistance from a local skate shop for inner race and built-up dirt issues.
We understand the importance of taking care of our boards and encourage you to do the same. After all, skateboards that are given proper care will be rewarded with smoother and more enjoyable rides! Make sure to share your maintenance experiences with us and let us know what you think.
Skateboards are a part of the wider community of board sports, including snowboards, surfboards, and wakeboards. Each of these sports requires different levels of maintenance, but all require the same commitment to upkeep. Whether it’s waxing a surfboard or tightening the trucks on a skateboard, the commitment to consistent care is essential in order to get the most out of your ride.
Conclusion
We’ve walked you through the crucial steps of skateboard lubricating, haven’t we? Skateboards are a key part of sports & recreation, and we should know that oiling them is an essential part of skateboard maintenance. Along with protecting bearings, cleaning decks, and checking for loose parts, it’s not just about a smoother ride. It’s also about preserving your board’s durability.
Make sure to choose the right skateboard lubricant and avoid skate greasing common mistakes. Stick with regular maintenance, and your skateboard will thank you! It might seem troublesome at first, but trust us, it becomes second nature in no time. Happy skating!
(FAQs):
How Do You Lubricate A Longboard?
To lubricate a skateboard, first remove the wheels from your deck using a skate tool, then take out the eight bearings. After removing the bearing shields, clean your bearings, dry them with a paper towel to prevent damaging friction, and apply a quality bearing oil.
How To Grease Ball Bearings Or Using Bearing Lubricant?
To lubricate bearings, you can use several products like a specific bearing lubricant, Bones Speed Cream, or 3-in-1 oil. If those aren’t available, even olive oil can be a temporary solution, but ensure to properly clean bearings after use.
What Kind Of Oil Do You Use On A Longboard?
For a skateboard, it’s preferable to use a light oil. This can include bearing oil or other bearing lubricants, but avoid household items like motor oil which can attract dirt.
Should I Use Grease Or Oil On My Longboard?
For skateboards, oil is generally preferred over grease as it provides less resistance, ensuring the ball bearings or hybrid bearings like ceramic ones move smoothly.
Is It OK To Put WD40 On Bearings?
No, it’s not okay to put WD-40 on bearings because it can compromise the bearing shields and attract dust, potentially leading to damaging friction in your skate bearings.
Can You Use WD40 On A Skateboard?
While you can use WD40 to prevent rust on the metal parts of a skateboard, it’s not advised to use it on bearings due to the risk of attracting dirt.
Is Rubbing Alcohol Good For Bearings?
Rubbing alcohol is good for cleaning bearings because it removes dirt without leaving residue, but it’s not suitable for lubricating skateboard bearings. Rubbing alcohol is not recommended for bearings as a general rule, as it may cause damage and affect their spinning; more research is advised before considering this method, and repeating this process may be detrimental in the long run.
Is 3 In 1 Oil Good For Bearings?
Yes, 3-in-1 oil is good for bearings. While it may not be the best compared to dedicated bearing lube, it’s still better than not using any lubricant at all.
How Often Should I Oil My Bearings?
The lubricating frequency for bearings depends on usage. However, if you want to maintain the efficiency of your quality bearings, you should lube them every 1-2 months or if you notice a decrease in wheel spin or a gritty sound.
Is Vaseline Good For Bearings?
Vaseline is not recommended for bearings. It’s too thick, can attract dirt, and slow down your bearings, causing more damage than benefits. Stick to proper bearing lubricants for better performance. Using Vaseline on bearings is not recommended for a professional skater, as it is not specially designed for bearings, can attract dirt, cause more noise, be time consuming to clean, and may lead to spending more money on repairs or replacements.
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