How to Clean Skateboard Wheels in 4 Easy Steps

‍Keeping your skateboard clean prevents dangerous situations such as unclean gear can lead to cuts, scrapes, and infections. So whether you’re a skate pro or just starting out with this exhilarating pastime, continue reading to learn how to clean your skateboard wheels and other essential gear!

Skateboarding is a fun and exciting sport that allows you to break free from the monotony of everyday life. Whether you’re just learning how to skateboard or have been skating for years, it’s important to keep your equipment in top-notch condition so that you can continue to enjoy this thrilling activity.

Why is it important to clean your skateboard Wheel

Unclean wheels can cause slower board speeds, unnecessary friction, and excess wear and tear on your bearings. This can negatively affect your skateboarding experience and may even cause damage to your board. In addition, unclean wheels are unsanitary and can cause infections if your skin comes into contact with them.

Process Overview to Clean Skateboard Wheels

  • Clean up the wood parts with a damp cloth.
  • Wipe down the deck with a dry cloth.
  • Use dishwashing liquid to clean off excess glue.

Step-by-Step Guideline; how to Clean Skateboard Wheels

STEP 1

Remove Wheel

  • Remove the wheel from the axle using a wrench.
  • Turn over the skateboard so that the wheels are facing up and resting on the deck.
  • The axle nuts on the outer sides of the skateboard wheels are twisted and removed using a 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) socket wrench, then set aside.

STEP 2

Bearing Out from the wheel

  • To remove the bearings from the wheels, pry them out with the truck axle.
  • Grab one wheel and place the center against the metal rod that it was attached to (the truck axle).
  • Use the rod to pop the bearing out of the wheel.
  • Repeat this process for all 4 of your wheels, and keep the bearings in one spot so you don’t lose track of them.
  • Keep wheel bearings and wheels separate from each other so they’re easier to clean.

STEP 3

Wipe Off the surface

  • Wipe off the surface of your wheels with a rag to clean off dirt and rocks.
  • Use your fingers to dislodge any stones or gravel, then use your rag to scrub as hard as you can. If there are any areas that require extra scrubbing, grab a toothbrush and scrub them instead.
  • Wheels aren’t clean don’t be dismayed, it’s just beginning.

STEP 4

Soak the Soapy water

  • Your sink with about 2L warm water and 2 Tbsp (up to 10 ml) dish soap; stir together until it becomes sudsy before adding any wheels that are waiting patiently on the side!         
  • The warm water will help you remove any dirt and grime.
  • Soak the wheels in soapy waterOpens in a new tab. for 15 minutes.

Wire Brush Away the Gunk

  • Be sure not to scrub so hard that the wheel’s finish is damaged.
  • You can also use a toothbrush to scrub away any stubborn grime. After you’ve scrubbed your wheels clean, you may notice that they’re a bit discolored. This usually happens when you use dishwashing soap to clean your wheels, so it’s important to use a wheel cleaner to restore their shine.
  • We’d recommend using either a wheel cleaner or a wheel brightener to remove any discoloration from your wheels.

Drying and Reassembling Your Skateboard Wheels

After finished cleaning your wheels, grab a separate rag and wipe them off until they’re mostly dry. You can set the skateboard aside to air-dry while working on its bearings.

It’s important to make sure they are completely dry before reassembling them. You don’t want to put too much pressure on the bearings while trying to squeeze them into place. If you do, the bearings could break apart or even fall out.

The best way to dry your wheels is to let them sit outside overnight. If you live in a cold climate, you might want to wait until springtime. But regardless of where you live, you can still follow these steps to ensure your wheels look great.

  1. Remove the lugs from each side of the wheel.
  2. Place one lug on a flat surface and the other on another piece of wood.
  3. Using a drill press, attach the bearing cups to the lugs.
  4. Attach the axle to the bearing cups.
  5. Reassemble the wheel and tighten the bolts.

When Should You Clean Your Wheels

As a general rule, you should clean your wheels after each use. If you’re skating in particularly dirty conditions, though, you may want to clean your wheels after every other session.

Skating in dirty conditions can cause a lot of dirt and grime to build up on your wheels, which can increase their wear and tear. It’s also a good idea to clean your wheels before your next skateboarding session so they’re nice and clean when you get on the board.

Frequently question with answer

Do I need to clean my bearings too?

In addition to cleaning your wheels, it’s a good idea to clean your bearings every once in a while. This will help prevent them from overheating and actually catching on fire.

Is it necessary to remove the bearings to clean my skateboard wheels?

Yes of course. You have to remove the bearings to clean my skateboard wheels.

Is it necessary to remove the bearings to clean my skateboard wheels

Lack of cleaning, dirt and dust, grime and rusting.

How to clean skateboard bearings

The first is that they can slow down your skateboard and make it harder to ride if they are blocked with dirt and debris. Not cleaning your bearings correctly might also cause harm to them. Read more..

Conclusion

As you can see from the article above, cleaning your skateboard wheels and other equipment is necessary for a number of reasons. By keeping your wheels and bearings clean, you can ensure that they last longer and continue to perform well. In addition, cleaning your equipment will help prevent infections and injuries, making skating a safer and cleaner experience.

Lisa

I'm Lisa, the owner and creative behind the scenes at Skateboard Ride. I've been skateboarding for over 30 years and LOVE teaching and helping others to get involved in skateboarding, longboarding & longboard paddling.

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