Your bearings take a beating—dirt, grime, and that one sketchy puddle you swore you could clear. Want to keep them spinning like they’re fresh off the shelf? Cleaning’s easier than nailing a primo slide. Here’s the step-by-step:

Grab your skate tool and gently pry the bearings from your wheels. Don’t yeet them into the void.

Most bearings have a rubber or metal shield. Pop it off with a pin—think of it as giving your bearings a quick haircut.

Toss them in a jar with a rubbing bearing cleaner. Shake it like you’re hyping up a skate video premiere. This blasts away the gunk.

Let them air dry (no hairdryers, unless you want a TikTok fail), then add a drop of bearing lube—speed cream’s the move, not your mom’s cooking oil.

Snap the shields back on, slide the bearings into your wheels, and you’re ready to roll like you’re in a Hoonigan drift vid.

Clean them every couple of months or when they start growling like an angry chihuahua. Regular maintenance keeps your bearings smooth and saves you from dropping cash on new ones.

When to Replace Them: Knowing When to Kick Those Bearings to the Curb

Bearings are tough, but they don’t last forever—like your favorite Thrasher tee. How do you know they’re done? If they’re grinding louder than a metal band, spinning slower than a sloth, or your board feels like it’s stuck in quicksand, it’s time. Other signs? Rust, cracked shields, or bearings that feel like they’ve been dipped in glue.

Joey ignored his rusty bearings once and ended up eating pavement mid-heelflip—not a vibe.

If you’re skating hard—daily park sessions, gnarly grinds, or rainy-day missions—you might need new bearings every 6–12 months. Casual skaters can stretch it longer. Either way, don’t cling to dead bearings like they’re your old MySpace profile. Fresh ones will have you gliding like you’re in a Girl Skateboards video. 

Keep a spare set in your backpack for emergencies.

Final Thoughts: Spin It, Win It

Skateboard bearings might be small, but they’re the soul of your setup. From choosing between steel and ceramic to understanding how they impact your ride, getting to know these little spinners can take your session from “meh” to “whoa.” Keep ‘em clean, swap ‘em when they’re toast, and don’t skimp on quality—your board deserves better than thrift-store vibes.

Good bearings can save your session and your street cred. So, what’s your next skate adventure? Hitting the local skatepark, bombing a hill, or finally landing that switch tre flip? Whatever it is, make sure your bearings are ready to roll with you.

Now go shred, and let those wheels sing like they’re dropping bars in a Lil Wayne track!

Ready to level up your ride? Check out our premium bearings and find the perfect match for your setup. Your board—and your flow—will thank you.