Clean bearings are going to roll smoother, roll faster, and will last much longer than dirty bearings. Dirt and grime foul the bearings and can cause pitting which make rotation uneven and rough. The following paragraphs have instructions for cleaning bearings with removable shields. If you do not have removable shields, then skip the following instructions. Cleaning and lubricating your bearings often will make them last a long time. Also try to avoid getting your bearings wet or sandy, as both of those are particularly bad for bearings.
The tools that you are going to need for this process include a straight pin, a small bowl or a metal pan, a bearing cleaning product, a small brush for cleaning such as a soft or a medium toothbrush, paper towels and clean towels or shop rags.
When dealing with removable shields you are going to want to insert the very tin of the straight pin into the C-rings end, which is responsible for keeping the shield in place on the body of the bearing. You should just gently pry away the C ring toward the middle of the bearing and work the pin around the circle. Now you can remove the shield as slowly as you can, making sure that you are not causing damage.
Now place the bearing in a container and flush it with the cleaner to get rid of contaminates. Citrus based cleaners work particularly well for this purpose. Use the toothbrush to remove grime and dirt. If the bearings happen to be particularly dirty, then this step may need to be repeated. Make sure that the solvent is changed with every rinse.
Once the bearing has been cleaned, make sure that it is patted dry gently using a towel that is clean and free of lint. Place the bearings on a paper towel and give them time to air dry. Now make sure that all of the water has had a chance to evaporate away before you move on to the next step in the process.
Once the bearing is completely dry you can add between one and two drops of a high quality lubricant to the bearing’s inside. A little bit of lubricant can really go a long way. Now you should rotate the bearing in such a way that the lubricant is worked into all of the moving parts, and make sure that all of the balls have been completely and properly covered in the lubricating agent for the best results.
Now replace the shield, placing it on the bearing and allowing the C ring to slip back into the groove that is just next to the shield. Now you can work the C-ring’s remaining length gently and slowly along that fitted groove until it has completely and fully snapped back into place. Now you can put your brand new clean bearings right back on your skates. Make sure that you spin them a bit to make sure that the lubricating agent is distributed evenly and to ensure that all of the wheels are spinning as smoothly as possible.
Photo Credits: joelogon
Originally posted 2009-11-23 03:30:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Review of the Channel Island Biscuit The Channel Island Biscuit surfboard is a unique 5' 2" surfboard that is surprisingly short for what it is, thicker than you may expect, but is still full of plenty of surprises. Don't believe me? Try riding the Channel Island Biscuit surfboard for yourself and see what you think. If...... -
Skate Shoes for a Skateboarding Edge Skate boarding and the entire skater culture seems to become more and more popular every year. Twelve-year old girls who've never even stood on a skate board suddenly beg their parents for skater shoes. Shoe store employees are then faced with befuddled parents who aren't quite sure of the differences...... -
More on Inline Skate Wheels The Core The core of the wheel is comprised of the hub and the spokes. The bearings and spacers are housed inside the inner hub. The spokes and outer hub are what the polyurethane itself is attached to. The way the core is designed, and the materials from which the...... -
Top Surf Spots in the World Everyone has their own unique preferences when it comes to surfing, because different surf spots offer unique waves, unique terrain and completely unique experiences. Still, there is a general consensus when it comes to some of the top surf spots in the world, and here is a small handful of...... -
ABEC ratings: Is higher really better? Pt. 2 Now do you see what I mean by these tolerances being mangled by the first few minutes of riding down the sidewalk? The pressure of you riding, along with the shocks of bumps and the cracks in the sidewalk will quickly add a lot more eccentricity to this groove, but......
Related Websites -
Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to...... -
How to Invigorate Your Grout Tile floors can be gorgeous and they are great in climates where it gets a little hot. However, the one main downside of tile floors is that the grout can get pretty yucky after a few years. No amount of scrubbing can return it to its previously pristine state and...... -
How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets If you choose to refinish kitchen cabinets instead of replace them, you'll save thousands of dollars on this improvement. From replacing cabinets at a cost of $3,000 to $5,000 to refinishing them for a few hundred, it's easy to see why this is a popular remodeling decision. Of course, you...... -
Choosing Beginning Woodworking Projects When you are thinking about beginning woodworking projects as part of a new woodworking hobby, there are a variety of different ways that you can get the help, the information and the resources that you need. Many people are originally introduced to the art of beginning woodworking in school, and...... -
How To Clean Old Coins If you are an avid coin collector, you want to keep these coins in mint condition. One of the best ways to do this is to know how to clean old coins in the proper way. Collecting old coins has been a favorite hobby for many people for a very......
- Wedding Ring Quilts Quilts, Bedspreads Textiles, Linens Antiques
- Platform Step/Riser Sets Fitness Equipment Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
- Work Womens Shoes
- Denis Wick Bass Straight Mute Trombone Brass Acoustic Musical Instruments
- Hat With Removable Sunshield By Dorfman Pacific Hats & Gloves Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Fishing