Looking for the best lubricant for your skate bearings is key to a great skate experience. Skateboard bearings play a big role in how well you ride. They need regular care to work their best, cut down on friction, and last longer. Here, we’ll share some top picks and advice on picking and using lubricants for your skateboard bearings. Picking the right lubricant might seem hard, but we’ll help you understand what makes each one stand out.
Key Takeaways
- Regular lubrication of skateboard bearings is crucial for maintaining performance and longevity.
- Bones Speed Cream and Oust Met Ol are popular choices, with various price points.
- Reapplication frequency varies—Oust Met Ol requires it every 6 hours, while Bones Speed Cream lasts longer.
- Ceramic bearings need less frequent lubrication compared to steel bearings, making them ideal for frequent skaters.
- Using just a couple of drops of high-quality oil can significantly reduce friction and protect bearings from wear.
Understanding Skate Bearings and Their Needs
Knowing about your skateboard’s parts, like skate bearings, helps keep it running well. These parts are small but important because they reduce friction for the wheels. This lets your wheels spin smoothly. Taking good care of them means your skateboard will work well for a long time.
Bearings for skateboards have a standard size: 8mm (core), 22mm (outer diameter), and 7mm (width). You usually buy them in sets of eight because you need two for each wheel. They are rated by ABEC numbers, from 1 to 9. A higher number means the bearing is more precise. For example:
- ABEC 1: Least expensive and least precise.
- ABEC 3: Cheap but not very smooth.
- ABEC 5: A good mix of speed and cost.
- ABEC 7: Fast and smooth but costs more.
- ABEC 9: Super fast, perfect for downhill skating.
Ceramic bearings are between $70 to $100 but are rust-resistant, stronger, and lighter, giving better performance. The usual size for bearing spacers is 8mm x 10mm, which fits most skate axles.
Regular Maintenance: Keeping your bearings clean and oiled is key, especially if you skate on streets. You’ll need to do this more often than occasional skaters. Tools you need include:
- A skate tool or socket wrench.
- A tool for putting in and taking out bearings.
- A clean rag or paper towel.
- A toothbrush or brush with soft bristles for cleaning.
To know if bearings are worn out, watch for these signs:
- Slow movement.
- Noises like grinding or squeaking.
- Wheels not spinning well.
- Wheels that wobble.
- Rust or dirt you can see.
Misconceptions: Higher ABEC ratings don’t always mean you’ll go faster. Also, it’s wise to clean and lube new bearings before you use them. Keeping up with maintenance is crucial for the best performance and a longer life for your skateboard.
| Feature | Steel Bearings | Ceramic Bearings |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Starts around $15 | $70 – $100 |
| Resistance to Rust | No | Yes |
| Strength | Standard | Stronger |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
Understanding skate bearings is key for skaters who want to keep their gear in top shape. With proper skate bearing maintenance, your skateboard can serve you well for much longer.
Different Types of Lubricants for Skate Bearings
When it comes to keeping your skate bearings in top shape, knowing about the different lubricants is key. Each kind has its own advantages, depending on your skating style and where you skate.
Many skaters prefer light oils, such as sewing machine oil or Bones Speed Cream, for their slickness. Bones Speed Cream is especially praised for making skating fast and smooth. Yet, these oils need to be put on again often, about every few weeks if you skate a lot.
Then there are greases like white lithium or marine grease. They’re great for keeping dirt and water out. These thicker greases work well if you’re skating in tough conditions. They protect better and don’t need as much reapplication. But, they could slow you down a bit if you skate long distances.
Choosing between oil and grease for your bearings is crucial. Oil-based lubricants, for example, Oust Met Ol, are for a smoother ride but must be reapplied every 6 hours to work best. Grease types, like white lithium, last much longer—often a whole season—without needing more.
Some might think of using something like WD-40 for a quick fix. But WD-40 isn’t the best choice for skate bearings. Specialized lubricants are recommended for a good skating experience. They help your bearings last longer and keep you rolling smoothly.
For the best performance, Archoil 9100 has shown to be very effective. It lasts longer than other lubricants, making it cost-effective over time, despite a higher initial price.
Picking the right lubricant means looking at your specific skating needs. To understand better the downsides of using products like WD-40, check out expert reviews like those on Doctor Skate.
Top Picks for Skate Bearing Lubricants
Three top products stand out for skateboard bearing lubrication: Bones Speed Cream, Oust Met-Ol, and Archoil AR9100. They are known for their great performance and long-lasting effect.
Bones Speed Cream is popular, costing about $7.95 for a 0.5 oz bottle. It works well but may need more applications than others. Oust Met-Ol sells for $9.95 for the same size. This one needs reapplying every 6 hours. Both start to corrode after 20 minutes in extreme conditions. They could stop working completely after a few hours.
Archoil AR9100 is the third pick and offers the best protection. You can get a 16 oz bottle for around $45, which is less than $1.5 for a 0.5 oz amount. Archoil AR9100 stands up to corrosion tests better. It looks cleaner after 20 minutes and is only slightly affected after long exposure.
It’s important to keep your skate bearings lubricated. Skaters who are out often should do this every few weeks. If you skate less, once a month works. How often you need to lubricate also depends on where you skate and the weather. Picking one of these top lubricants helps your skate bearings last longer and work better.
Check out the detailed comparison of these top skate bearing lubricants:
| Lubricant | Price per 0.5 oz | Corrosion Resistance | Reapplication Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bones Speed Cream | $7.95 | Starts corroding at 20 minutes, seizes at 3 hours | Every few weeks to monthly |
| Oust Met-Ol | $9.95 | Starts corroding at 20 minutes, seizes at 3 hours | Every 6 hours |
| Archoil AR9100 | $1.5 (equivalent) | Maintains cleanliness after 20 minutes, slightly crunchy at 3 hours | Every few weeks to monthly |
By using one of these top lubricants, you’ll get smoother rides and your skates will last longer. Choose the right skate bearing lubricant based on your needs and skating habits.
How to Apply Lubricant to Skate Bearings
Taking care of your skate bearings starts with knowing how to apply lubricant the right way. It’s key for a smooth skate. Here is a guide on keeping your skateboard bearings in top shape.
- Disassemble Your Skateboard: Use a skate tool or a wrench to carefully remove the wheels. Then, take out the bearings.
-
Clean the Bearings:
- Take off any rubber seals or metal shields to see the bearings.
- Put the bearings in 1/2 inch of acetone. This cleans off old grease and dirt. Do it again if needed.
- Make sure they’re fully dry before moving on. This stops moisture from getting trapped.
- Apply the Lubricant:
- For oil, put 2 drops on each bearing.
- Using grease? Add about 3 mm to fill three spaces between the balls in the bearing.
- Reassemble the Bearings:
- Put back the seals and C-clips with care. Check if everything is correctly placed.
- Put the bearings back in the wheels. Then, put the wheels back on your skateboard.
Keeping up with your skate’s upkeep makes bearings last longer and work better. Bearings with grease need checking once a month. But if you use oil, check them every few weeks. Also, clean and oil your bearings right after they get wet. This stops rust. By doing these steps, your skateboard will always be ready for a smooth ride.
Final Thoughts on Selecting the Best Lubricant
Choosing the right skate bearing lubricant is crucial for your skateboard’s longevity and performance. Factors like your skating environment, weather conditions, and maintenance frequency are important. Proper lubrication can double your bearings’ lifespan, preventing premature failures.
Mineral oil lubricants are most popular, used in about 70% of ball bearings. Synthetic oils excel in extreme temperatures, from very cold to very hot. Grease is great for places that are hard to reach. Dry lubricants, used less often, are perfect for high-heat uses in spaces like aerospace and automotive industries. It’s important to regularly check your lubricants since they can become less effective over time.
Choosing the right lubricant also means looking at noise and corrosion. Lubricants can make your skateboard quieter and prevent rust in damp places. Some brands, like Met Ol by Oust and Pennzoil Platinum, are known for their heavy-duty performance and long-lasting effects. Users find that Bronson G3 bearings do well with thick oils and greases. Remember, taking good care of your skate bearings will make them last longer and give you a smoother ride.
I’m John Peterson, a passionate skater, blogger, and lifelong enthusiast. I’ve been skating for over 9 years and have gone on to write a blog dedicated to the sport of skating and its culture. Through my blog, I strive to share my knowledge and experience of the sport with all who are interested. From beginner tips, tricks, and equipment reviews to interviews and event coverage, I cover it all. So read my blog as I explore the wonderful world of skating!