How to Clean Inline Skate Bearings

Clean bearings roll smoother, are faster and willcleaners work well. Use the small brush or
last longer than dirty bearings. Grit and sand cantoothbrush and remove larger pieces of dirt and
cause small pits in the balls and create an unevengrime. If your bearings are particularly dirty, you
rotation. Below are instructions on how to clean amay have to repeat this step. Be sure to change
bearing with a removable shield. If the shield onyour solvent with each rinsing.
your bearings are stationary, ignore the steps3. After you have cleaned the bearing, pat it
which are directed to removing shields.gently dry with a clean, lint free towel. Place on a
If you clean and lubricate your bearing often theypaper towel and allow it to air dry. Make sure that
should last you a long time. Always avoid gettingall water has evaporated and dries out completely
your bearings wet, and keep them free of sand!before proceeding to the next step.
Clean and lubricate skate bearings immediately if4. After the bearing has completely dried, apply 1
they become wet.to 2 drops of quality lubricant to the inside of the
Tools You Will Need:bearing. A little lubricant goes a long way. Rotate
Small bowl or metal panthe bearing slowly to work the lubricant in to all of
Straight pinthe moving parts. Make sure the balls are
Bearing cleanercompletely covered in oil/grease.
Small cleaning brush such as a toothbrush. Soft or5. Replace the shield by placing it on top of
medium, nothing too hard!bearing and slipping the C-ring into the groove
Clean towelsnext to the shield. Then work remaining length of
Paper TowelsC-ring slowly and gently around the fitted groove
1. For removable shields: Insert the end of theuntil it snaps back into place.
straight pin into the end of the C-ring which holds6. Put your freshly cleaned bearings back on your
the shield onto the bearing body. Very gently pryskates and spin them to insure oil/greases is
the C-ring up and towards the center of theevenly distributed and wheels are spinning
bearing, working your way around the circle.smoothly.
Remove the shield slowly, always taking care notWarning: Always use extreme caution whenever
to damage it.working with any cleaning solvent. Bearing Cleaner
2. Place bearing in container or bowl and flush withis a toxic chemical and should be washed off skin
bearing cleaner to remove contaminants. Citrusimmediately.