The Best SkateBoard Tricks

Posts Tagged ‘Cleaning Skateboard’

Mistakes that Should be Avoided that can Kill Your Skateboard

By Ferry Suwantoro

When used improperly, the deck can snap in half, wheels can wear fast, and mechanical parts can break. Here are the things that can definitely put an end to your skateboard’s life.

Braking

Powerslides. Powersliding is cool especially if you are the only one in the group who can perform it. As the wheels grind against the ground especially on rough terrains, it loses its grip and shape.

Heel brake. When doing the heel break, you wear down the soles of your shoes or the tail of your board, or both. Excessive heel braking causes the kicktail to get thinner and eventually break, requiring you to buy a new deck. If you want to stop using the heel brake, at least put a guard underneath the kicktail which will take the grinding off the deck. A plastic cap will do although it will limit your ability to do some tricks successfully.

Landing

Landing with your feet in the middle of the deck is an effective way to break the deck in half. Let the trucks absorb your weight by stepping above them when landing.

Freestyling

Truckstand spin, truckstand hops, pogo spin, and pogo hops can definitely ruin your tail. Grinds can scratch the bottom of the deck. Some tricks can bend your deck undesirably. Well, skateboarding should be fun and skateboarders live to experiment on new tricks. If you can afford to buy a new skateboard, feel free to do these tricks.

Maintenance

You have to clean bearings and wheels periodically to extent their life and spare you from buying a new set. Maintenance is very important to keep your wheels rolling smoothly. This will enhance the riding experience. You can either put a sorry end to your skateboard or extend its life and sparing yourself from buying a whole new set. Tricks can and will definitely wear out your skateboard but if done correctly, the wear will slow down.

How to Clean Your Skateboard Bearings and Wheels

By Ferry Suwantoro

If you notice that your wheels are not gliding the way they should be or creating a distinct squeaking sound, then it is time to do some maintenance cleaning.

1. Using a +” socket wrench or a skate tool, remove the wheels from the trucks.

2. Then, remove the bearings from the wheels. To do this, barely hook the wheel back to the axle (the bearing should be hooked to the tip of the axle) and slowly pry the wheel, pooping the bearing out. This requires extreme care as you might damage the bearing in the process.

3. Once you have separated the bearing from the wheels, you can now clean them separately.

4. To clean the wheels, use water or mild soap and water solution. Brush the dirt off the wheels or simply wipe them with rag or towel. Check and remove dirt embedded in and around the wheel. Dry the wheels with cloth or towel.

5. Now, clean the bearings. Take one bearing and spray every edge with a generous amount of Tri-flow Superior Lubricant. Do this on both sides of the bearings. Repeat the same procedure to the rest of the bearings.

6. Once you are done with all the bearings, you can attach them one by one back to the wheels immediately or let them leak dan dry first.

7. Reattach the wheel and bearings assembly back to the truck.

If you do not have the time to do all these, you can clean the bearings while still inside the wheel. To do this, remove the wheel from the truck and spray Tri-flow Superior Lubricant directly to the bearings. Pat down the wheel assembly to remove the lubricant inside. Then, reattach the wheels back to the trucks. While this cleans the bearings, you may want to periodically remove the bearings off its wheel for thorough maintenance.

Cleaning your skateboard bearings and wheels not only will improve your skateboarding experience, it also will extend your bearings’ and wheels’ lifespan.