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Longboarding is an exhilarating way to move around town, but if you own a longboard you need to care for it properly with regular cleaning. Not sure how? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Giving your longboard regular maintenance means that it will last longer and look better. Cleaning your longboard is also important to ensure that the compounds in the wheels are able to grip the ground effectively and slide predictably when needed.
In this article, I’ll review all the necessary steps to clean a longboard correctly and make sure it lasts for many years of awesome rides.
How to Clean a Longboard
Cleaning a longboard is an important step to ensure it remains in top condition and continues to perform well. Skating in wet or muddy conditions can cause damage to the bearings, trucks, and deck over time. To prevent this, it’s important to clean all traces of moisture and dirt off your longboard after every use.
1. Gather Your Supplies
Gathering your supplies is the first step in cleaning your longboard. Get a soft cloth or towel, some mild soap (like dish soap), a bucket of water, and a small brush (a nylon brush works great!). You’ll need these items to make sure your longboard is thoroughly cleaned.
Once you have all the supplies you need, it’s time to get started on the cleaning process! With the right supplies, you’ll be able to easily clean your longboard and keep it looking like new!
2. Remove the Wheels And Trucks
Removing the wheels and trucks from your longboard is an important step in properly cleaning it. To do this, you’ll need a skate tool to loosen the nuts on the trucks. Once that’s done, you can lift them off of the deck.
Make sure to repeat this process for all of the trucks so that you can gain better access to the bearings and deck. With those removed, you’ll be ready for a thorough cleaning of your longboard!
3. Clean the Bearings
When it comes to cleaning your longboard bearings, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow. Firstly, you should carefully remove the rubber shield covering the bearings to clean them – just make sure to not force it too hard or you could easily damage or break them.
Next, if you don’t have any special bearing cleaning solutions available, then dipping the bearings in kerosene or mineral spirits is a great alternative as this will ensure each ball bearing is properly covered and cleaned. After this, rinse the bearing in rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol until all debris is removed.
Once clean, allow the bearing to air dry – using compressed air can help speed up the process if needed. Then you’ll want to apply the proper lubricant (following manufacturer instructions) for best results. Finally, replace/put back on the old cover shield and reinstall the bearings into your wheels.
4. Clean the Deck
Cleaning a longboard deck is easy to do and only requires a few simple steps. Start by unscrewing and detaching the longboard trucks. Using a nylon or hard bristle brush and warm soapy water, lightly scrub the grip tape in a circular motion to remove any dirt or gunk stuck in it.
Rinse the soap off with a clean sponge, wiping the deck down until it’s clean and free of grime. If your board is still dirty, you may have to repeat these steps again for the best results.
Once the deck is cleaned, use another dampened sponge to wipe down the underside of the board, paying special attention to where the trucks attach to it. After cleaning this area, thoroughly dry everything off with a towel before reattaching the trucks.
To make sure everything dries completely, leave your board out for at least an hour or two before skating on it again.
5. Clean the Trucks And Wheels
Cleaning the trucks and wheels of a longboard is essential for ensuring it performs optimally on the roads. To start, use a cloth or towel to wipe off any dirt or debris that may be present.
If your trucks are particularly dirty, then mild soap and water will be necessary to get them sparkling once more.
6. Reassemble Your Longboard
After cleaning your longboard, it’s time to reassemble it. You’ll want to start by replacing the wheel bearings and then attaching the wheels to the trucks. After that, attach the trucks to the deck and tighten everything with a skate tool.
It’s essential that you use the right skate tool so you don’t damage any of your components while tightening or loosening nuts.
How to Maintain Longboard Deck
Keeping your longboard deck in good condition is essential for optimum performance. Sun, water, dust, and dirt can all contribute to wearing down your board’s deck, reducing its strength and even making it vulnerable to cracks or breakage if you happen to be riding at high speeds on a winding hill.
To lower the risk of any damage to your board’s deck, it’s important to provide some extra protection by using a cover bag when storing and transporting it.
Additionally, if ever your deck becomes soaked with water make sure to dry it off as soon as possible afterwards. Finally, store your board indoors or under a covered area when not in use for added security.
How to Maintain Longboard Bearings
Maintaining your longboard bearings is essential for having a smooth ride. Poor longboard bearing performance can lead to squeaking and sticking, so it’s important to check them often for any signs of damage or rust caused by dirt, dust, or water.
To keep your longboard bearings in top condition, you should periodically give them a good clean. To do this, remove the wheels from the board and pop off the bearing shield with a screwdriver.
Wash the bearings in warm soapy water by agitating them around in a bowl and then rinsing them off with clean water. Towel dry and lightly oil with special bearing lube before reassembly (make sure it’s not too thick). Finally, make sure that each bearing fits snugly into its housing before popping the shield back on.
How to Maintain Longboard Wheels
Maintaining your longboard wheels is essential to making sure that they have a long lifespan. There are several easy things you can do to extend the life of your wheels, such as avoiding power sliding which will wear them out faster, using the right kinds of wheels for the type of skating you’re doing, and rotating your wheels every couple of weeks. This will enable you to make sure that your longboard Wheels wear out equally on both sides.
Additionally, make sure to replace them as soon as possible when they show clear signs of deterioration, as this may ruin your ride and reduce performance. By following these steps, you will be able to enjoy a stable and smooth ride while ensuring that your longboard wheels last a long time!
FAQs
Can Water Ruin Longboards?
Water can be detrimental to longboard bearings, so if you’d like them to have a longer lifespan, it’s important to shield them from moisture when riding in the rain.
What Do You Clean Longboard Wheels With?
Soak your bearings in isopropyl alcohol for a couple of hours to remove any dirt. Once they are clean, take them out of the solvent and allow them to air dry for around half an hour.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cleaning your longboard is an important task that should be completed regularly to keep it in optimal performance. With these tips, you should have a better idea of how to take care of your board and ensure its longevity.
Taking the time to choose high-quality cleaning products and properly preparing them will ensure your board looks and functions great for years to come!
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