Most roller skaters just clean the wheels. We can’t blame them; after all, the wheels directly touch the ground. There are smaller components you shouldn’t forget in your next cleaning, though.
If your roller skates’ wheels won’t spin flawlessly, you’ll have a harder time gliding. And, worse, you’re more likely to trip or fall down. To reduce the risk, clean the bearings regularly. You will find two bearings at the center of each wheel.
As a responsible roller skater, start learning how to clean roller skate bearings. The whole process is easy enough as long as you pay attention to the instructions.
Tips on How to Clean Roller Skate Bearings
The first thing you must do is to gather the tools and materials required for the task. Prepare the following:
- Bearing remover/bearing press
- Plastic milk jug/plastic jug/glass jar (with lid)
- Bearing cleaner
- Cloth/towel
- Air compressor (optional)
- Bearing oil
The bearing remover isn’t the right tool for wheels with aluminum hubs. That’s why the bearing press can be used as an alternative. If you use a bearing remover on an aluminum hub, it will damage the component.
How to Remove the Bearings:
- Press the bearing remover’s top button.
- Position the remover at the center hole of the bearing.
- Stop pressing the button.
- Pull out the bearing.
How to Clean Roller Skate Bearings:
- Put the bearings in the jug or jar.
- Pour bearing cleaner in the container until the liquid covers the bearings.
- Soak the bearings overnight.
- Tighten the lid on the container.
- Shake the container for a couple of minutes.
- Drain the liquid.
- Pour a fresh cleaner into the container again.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Shake the container before draining the liquid.
- Repeat Steps 7 to 9 until the liquid is clear enough.
After the cleaning process, wipe the bearings dry with a clean cloth or towel. You must also blow the freshly cleaned components to make sure they’re 100% clean. Using air compressors is easier than blowing, so don’t hesitate to use one.
Before installation, drop a bit of oil on each bearing for maintenance. Wait for several minutes before touching the bearings to let the oil do its magic. Afterward, spin each bearing with your fingers to evenly spread the oil.
Conclusion
Every roller skater, including first-timers, should know how to clean roller skate bearings. Even the best roller skates for beginners and experts are vulnerable to the negative effects of grime and dirt in the wheel hubs. Don’t worry; you just need to clean roller skate bearings once every quarter.