Quad Skate Maintenance: Complete Guide to Cleaning Bearings

If you enjoy skating at the skate park, you know how important it is to keep your skates in top condition. Today I'm sharing a complete guide based on Dani Patín's maintenance method, in which you'll learn how to clean and care for the bearings on your quad skates. Let's get to work!

Why Clean Bearings?

Bearings are the small parts inside the wheel that allow it to rotate smoothly. If they become dirty, the wheel won't rotate properly, which can cause:

• Greater friction: Slower wheels and less response.
• Uneven wear: Can affect the skate's steering and stability.
• Reduced performance: Less control and speed.

Therefore, keeping them clean not only improves performance, but also prolongs the lifespan of your skates.

Materials and Tools Needed

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• Disposable gloves: Protect your hands from chemicals.
• Ventilated space: Ideally outdoors or in an area with good circulation.
• Bearing press: Facilitates the removal and installation of bearings (you can do it by hand if you don't have one).
• Y-Tool: Useful for adjusting wheels or brakes on the fly.
• Screwdriver or pliers: To remove the small caps from the bearings.
• Protected surface: A tablecloth or a surface you don't mind getting dirty.
• Paper, cloth and soap: To clean the wheels and other parts of your skates.
• Cleaning and lubricating substance (Monkey Loob): “All-in-one” product that cleans and lubricates the bearings.

Step by Step: Maintaining Your Skates

1. Disassembly and Preparation
   • Removing the wheels: Use the Y-tool to remove the wheels and gain access to all the components of the skate.
   • Wheel rotation: It's a good idea to rotate your wheels to avoid uneven wear. For example, swap front and rear wheels, or even brakes, especially if you tend to brake more with one foot than the other.
2. Removing and Cleaning the Bearings
   • Removing the bearings: Use a press to remove them easily and safely. If you don't have one, you can do it carefully by hand.
   • Pre-cleaning: Using a damp paper towel, remove excess dirt from the bearings before immersing them in the cleaning agent.
3. Using the “Monkey Loob” Solvent
   • Remove the caps: Remove the plastic covers (orange caps) from the bearings to prevent the solvent from damaging these components.
   • Soaking the bearings: Place the bearings in a jar of Monkey Loob. Let it sit for 15 minutes, carefully turn the jar upside down, and repeat the process to ensure all components are soaked in the solvent.
   • Resting time: Allow the solution to penetrate thoroughly, which will facilitate the removal of dirt and proper lubrication of each bearing.
4. Drying and Reinstallation
   • Draining and drying: Once the soaking time is up, remove the bearings, drain them with paper towels and dry them well.
   • Replace the caps: Put the protective covers back on the bearings, making sure they are properly sealed.
   • Final Installation: Insert the clean bearings into the wheels. If you don't have a press, use the bearing to make installation easier by pressing the wheel against the bearing until it fits properly.
   • Tightening the nuts: Replace the wheels on the skate and tighten the nuts firmly. Remember to turn them slightly after tightening to ensure the wheels still turn smoothly.

Additional Tips and Continuous Improvement Philosophy

In his maintenance process, Dani Patín mentions the importance of continuous improvement. Inspired by the book Atomic Habits , he emphasizes that improving every aspect of our equipment by 1% can make a long-term difference, both in performance and injury prevention. Furthermore, taking care of every detail, from cleaning the bearings to checking the brakes, is essential to enjoy a safe and efficient skating experience.

Conclusion

Performing regular maintenance on your skates not only optimizes their performance, but also helps prevent major problems and prolongs the lifespan of your equipment. By following these steps, you'll have your quad skates ready to roll at their best, allowing you to enjoy every skating session to the fullest.

Do you have any questions or tips you'd like to share? Leave them in the comments or contact me on social media! Remember, every little detail counts toward achieving excellence.

Let's skate and enjoy!