Q&A for How to Clean Skateboard Bearings

The easiest way to clean bearings is to simply spray them with a Teflon-based lubricant. The other technique is to take the bearings off, pop off their little rubber shields, put lubricant on them, and wash them in a cup. The latter is more time-consuming, but cleans the bearings out more thoroughly.

Any type of air duster works; an air compressor works even better.

Use grease. It’s longer lasting. When it heats up from riding, it becomes more liquid like and less like jelly. After riding, it cools back down and gets like jelly again. It won’t drip out as much as oil, and you won’t have to clean your bearings as much.

I would highly discourage it. If you want the best performance I recommend cleaner from Bones or some other professional skate company. Chances are, if everyday things worked just as well, then skate companies would have no reason to make fancy cleaners.

If you break it you'll have to buy a new one. At a store perhaps. You can always take one off a junk board.

You need to unscrew the wheels and bearings together first. Once your wheels are off you need to take the actual bearings out of them. To do this, you can usually use a screwdriver to pry them out. If that doesn't work try the first tip for step 4 and alternate putting pressure with your thumbs on opposite sides of the wheel. You should hear it squeaking as it is coming out if the bearing is very tight in the wheel.

It should work fine. WD40 doesn't last as long as a proper bearing lubricant.

Don't use wd40 They will ruin your bearings. They eat at the balls, so they don't roll anymore.

It will work well, but avoid using WD-40 again and instead buy a bearing lubricant from a skate shop.

Use 99% isopropyl alcohol. Don't use 70% isopropyl alcohol, which is better for sanitizing hands.