How to Speed Clean Longboard Bearings - With a DIY Cleaning Kit

Once in a while, your Bearings need to be cleaned, so your longboard will keep riding smoothly,

you want to do it efficient and fast. The DIY bearings cleaning kit is the way to go.

It is very easy and quick.

Step 1: What You Need to Clean Your Bearings

Your dirty bearings, your DIY bearings cleaning kit (one of my other Instructable)

and

Citrus cleaner
Hair Dryer
Paper towel
Lubricant (sewing machine oil or Oust oil)

Step 2: Remove the Bearings Shields or Seals

Start by removing the bearing shields or seals from the bearings (video) and wipe the dirt and grease off as much as possible. Do not clean the rubber seals with solvent as it might blister the rubber. Just wipe it clean with soapy water.

Step 3: Stack Your Bearings Onto the Bolt

Stack up the bearing by alternating spacers and bearings to the bolt of your cleaning kit. At the end add your wing nut.

Step 4: Add Citrus Cleaner

Fill the bottle about a 1/3 with citrus cleaner. Close your bottle with the bearings inside and give it a really good shake. Let it sit for a few minutes and shake it again. Repeat this a few times.

Note: do not use solvents like petroleum, alcohol, spirits or other dangerous cleaners. This will harm your bearings.

Step 5: Roll Your Bearings on a Paper Towel

When you think it is done, take them out and tap and roll it around a paper towel to get rid of the extra cleaner and dirt.

Step 6: Rinse Your Bearings Under Hot Water

Rinse the bolt with the bearings under hot running water to remove all citrus cleaner. Do not let the water sit! This is very important. Your bearings will rust really quick if you do this.

Step 7: Dry Your Bearings Completely

Dry your bearings completely with a hair dryer. You can first leave them on your bolt and after that you can take them off and dry them further. If it is to hot to hold, you can use thongs to hold the bearing. This makes the job a lot easier.

Step 8: Add Lubricant to Your Bearings

Next step is the lubricant. There are different kinds.

It is best to use thin lubricant like sewing machine oil or Oust metal oil. If you use thick lubricants, it will slow down your bearings quit a bit and you will have less fun.

Add only a few drops to each bearing.