How to Clean Skateboard Bearings & Maintain Your Complete Skateboard

Mastering how to clean skateboard bearings is one of the most rewarding skills a skater can learn. Whether you are cruising urban pavement, hitting street spots, or carving bowls across Canada, keeping your setup in peak condition ensures a smoother, faster ride. Regular maintenance keeps your board rolling smoothly, improves control, extends the life of your wheels and bearings, and helps riders catch small problems before they turn into costly repairs.

If you are looking to upgrade your gear or find a brand-new setup before getting your hands dirty, explore our wide selection of skateboards, cruisers and longboards.

Why Skateboard Maintenance Matters All Season

Skateboard maintenance keeps your board rolling smoothly, improves control, protects parts from unnecessary wear, and helps riders spot small issues before they become unsafe or expensive. Skateboard care is not just about keeping your deck looking fresh; it is about preserving the mechanical integrity of your components. Routine skateboard bearing maintenance prevents grit from grinding down the steel balls inside your bearings, which directly translates to better speed retention and less physical effort on every push.

Whether you ride technical street setups or pick up longboards, skateboards, and cruisers for daily commuting, consistent upkeep extends the overall lifespan of your investment.

Build Your Own Board vs. Maintaining a Complete

Maintenance needs can vary depending on the type of setup you ride. A complete skateboard comes ready to ride right out of the box and generally just needs regular checks, cleaning, and the occasional part swap. A build-your-own setup, on the other hand, gives riders more say over their bearings, wheels, grip tape, deck feel, and how they upgrade over time.

If you are looking for ready-to-ride options, check out the Cruiser Skateboard Complete for smooth carving, or test your limits with the Globe Restless 10.0” Complete for high-impact skating.

How to Clean Skateboard Bearings (Step-by-Step)

Learning how to clean skateboard bearings will save you money and keep your board feeling brand new. Bearings get dirty when microscopic dust, moisture, and fine street grit bypass the shields and contaminate the internal balls and raceways.

When should you clean skateboard bearings?

You should clean your bearings when you notice a sluggish roll, hear a grinding or rattling noise, or after skating through wet or dusty conditions. If you want a streamlined process, using a specialized tool like the Bones Bearings Cleaning Unit makes the job effortless.

Detailed step-by-step guide for deep cleaning skateboard bearings:

1. Remove the wheels: Use a skate tool like the Prime8 OG T Skate tool to loosen and remove the axle nuts, sliding off your wheels.
   

2. Pop out the bearings: Pry the bearings out of the wheel core by leveraging them gently against the axle. Each wheel contains two bearings and usually a spacer.
   

3. Remove the shields: Using a razor blade, safety pin, or small flathead screwdriver, carefully pop off the rubber or metal shields (if your bearings are serviceable). Set them aside safely.
   

4. Soak and agitate: Place your bearings into a cleaning container or the Bones Bearings Cleaning Unit filled with a safe solvent (such as citrus-based cleaner or high-percentage isopropyl alcohol). Agitate or shake the container for a few minutes to break down old grease and grime.
   

5. Dry thoroughly: Remove the bearings from the solvent and place them on a clean paper towel or cloth. Allow them to air dry completely for at least 30 to 60 minutes to prevent rust.
   

6. Lubricate: Apply 1 to 2 drops of specialized skate bearing lubricant like Bones Bearings Speed Cream (never use regular household oil or WD-40, which attract dirt) to each bearing. Spin the bearing to distribute the lube evenly, then snap the shields back into place.
   

How to Change Skateboard Wheels

Knowing how to change skateboard wheels and performing regular skateboard wheel replacement are essential parts of overall skateboard care.

1. Remove axle hardware: Use your skate tool to take off the axle nut and remove the outer speed washer.
   

2. Slide off the old wheel: Pull the wheel straight off the axle. Keep track of the inner speed washer sitting against the hanger.

3. Extract bearings: If you are reusing your bearings, pop them out of the old wheel and transfer them into your new wheels—such as the high-performance Globe G1 Street Skateboard Wheel.
   

4. Mount the new wheel: Place the inner washer on the axle, press the first bearing-loaded wheel onto the axle, slide on the outer speed washer, and thread the axle nut back on. Tighten it down until the wheel spins freely with minimal side-to-side play.
   

How to Regrip a Skateboard Deck

Skateboard grip tape replacement breathes new life into a tired, slick deck and restores your board control.

1. Strip the old grip: Use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm up the adhesive on the old grip tape, then peel it back slowly starting from one corner.
   

2. Clean the surface: Wipe down the bare wooden deck surface to remove any leftover dust or residue.
   

3. Apply the new tape: Peel the backing off the new sheet of grip tape, center it carefully over the deck, and press it down firmly from the middle outward to avoid air bubbles.
   

4. Score and trim: Run a metal file or the edge of your skate tool along the side edge of the deck to score the tape, then use a razor blade or utility knife at a 45-degree angle to trim away the excess. Poke holes through the mounting hardware slots from underneath if necessary.
   
   

Tool & Hardware Checklist

Assembling a proper DIY skateboard maintenance kit ensures you are never caught unprepared at the skatepark or in your driveway.

• Skate tool or socket set
  

• Clean cloth and small brush
  

• Bones Bearings Cleaning Unit

• Safe cleaning solvent (citrus cleaner or high-strength isopropyl alcohol)
  

• Specialized bearing lubricant

• Spare bearings, like reliable Bones Bearings Reds

• Spare wheels and grip tape

• Razor blade and metal file
  

• Screwdriver or poker tool
  

• Speed washers, axle nuts, and mounting hardware

Once your toolkit is fully stocked, browse our comprehensive board collection to find your next ride, deck or replacement parts.

Seasonal Storage Tips

Environmental factors can heavily impact your skateboard setup, especially in regions with distinct seasonal shifts like Canada. Water and dust are the absolute enemies of bearings, causing rapid oxidation and rust, while moisture and humidity warp wooden decks and degrade hardware.

During the wet spring thaw, winter salt slush, or humid summer months, store your skateboard indoors in a temperature-controlled space rather than a damp garage or uninsulated shed. Giving your board a quick wipe-down after a dusty summer session or a wet ride will dramatically increase its longevity.