Keeping your skateboard trucks clean and rust-free is essential to your skating experience. Rusty skateboard trucks can lead to breakage and cause an unpleasant and uncomfortable skateboard ride. You might be like many keen skateboarders who love to go skateboarding regardless of the weather. However, it is best to avoid the rain as frequent moisture on your skateboard trucks can cause them to get rusty quickly. If this happens, it is good practice to remove the rust from the trucks or, in extreme cases, replace the rusty parts. To get a fair idea of whether or not your skateboard trucks are rusty, you should listen for creaky or screeching sounds when you ride, notice if your ride is not as smooth as it should be, or you might as well check the trucks out themselves to see if there is a case of rust on them. If you find rust on your skateboard trucks, the best thing to do is to remove the rust.
To remove rust from your skateboard trucks, the first thing to do is remove all the parts attached to the trucks. After removing the connected components, wipe the surface of the trucks to remove any surface dirt. Using a piece of rag, apply a small amount of Brasso to remove the rust from the trucks. Continue rubbing the trucks until the compound is dirty or dry. Apply more Brasso and repeatedly rub until the rust is completely removed. When you are satisfied, wipe the trucks to remove any excess Brasso. The next thing to do is to oil the trucks in order to prevent rusting in the future. Now, clean and reassemble all the parts attached to the trucks. Doing this process regularly will help to make your skateboard rides smooth, safe, and faster while increasing the lifespan of your skateboard trucks.
Is Rust on Skateboard Trucks Bad?
Now you see that having rust on your skateboard trucks can be awfully bad. Having rust on your skateboard trucks is not ideal as it makes your skateboard rides unpleasant and may even cause the rust to extend to other parts of your skateboard such as the axles, axle nuts, cup washers, bearings, and kingpin nuts. This in turn, can cause bumpy rides or even cause you to hit a dumpster!
Steps for Removing Rust from Skateboard Trucks
Removing rust from your skateboard trucks will make your skateboard ride fast, smooth, and safe. It can also help you to increase the lifespan of your skateboard trucks. In order to remove rust from your skateboard trucks, I have mentioned some steps to guide you on how to go about it at home.
- Remove all attached parts: The first thing to do is to remove all the parts attached to the trucks. These include the kingpin nuts, the bushings, the hangar, axles, axle nuts, cup washers, and bearings. Just make sure that the only thing you have left is the base plate attached to the skateboard’s deck.
- Wipe to remove surface dirt: Wipe the surface of the trucks to remove any surface dirt or grime.
- Apply polish: Using a piece of rag, apply a small amount of metal polish such as Brasso to remove the rust from the trucks. Continue rubbing the trucks until the compound is dirty or dry. Apply more Brasso and repeatedly rub until the rust is completely removed. When you are satisfied, wipe the trucks to remove any excess Brasso.
- Apply lubricant: The next thing to do is to apply lubricant to your trucks. When you are satisfied that your trucks are clean and dirt-free, make sure to oil the trucks to prevent rusting in the future.
- Clean the truck axle and bearings: Clean and rinse off the dirt from the axel. Also, clean off any grease from the bearings.
- Rearrange and reassemble the parts: Finally, reassemble all the parts of the truck. Now, attach them to the base plate.
How to Prevent Skateboard Trucks from Rusting?
- Do not skateboard in the rain: Generally, to prevent your skateboard trucks from rusting, it is best practice to avoid any wet conditions like rain or water. Skating in the rain will cause your skateboard trucks to rust rapidly. Also, it can be hazardous to skate in the rain since surfaces would be slippery. However, if you really enjoy skating in the rain and would not allow any weather conditions to deter you from having fun, it is essential that you go with a cloth to keep your trucks dry.
- Keep your skateboard dry: There are times when your skateboard gets wet, whether or not you skate in the rain. You may end up passing a puddle accidentally or get caught in the rain while out for a ride. If such situations happen, ensure that you dry your skateboard quickly and thoroughly. Make sure to focus your attention on the metal parts carefully. You can prevent rust from developing on your trucks by getting rid of moisture quickly.
- Replace all rusty parts as soon as possible: rust can develop on your trucks even when you are careful and take good care of your skateboard. If this happens, do not choose to ignore the rust since it will affect your skating performance and experience. It may get worse and cause the failure of other parts since rust spreads quickly. You should locate a local skate store or an online shop and get the spare parts for your skateboards. Use a small screwdriver to replace the affected parts. In the instance that you are unable to do this properly yourself, take your skateboard to a professional.
How Do You Paint Skateboard Trucks?
You may need to paint your skateboard trucks when you get a new skateboard or to stand out from other skaters. Doing this is relatively easy and requires just some simple household tools. You will need some masking tape, primer, spray paint, sandpaper, and some string.
Step 1: Choose a well-ventilated area: Make sure you opt for a well-ventilated area when you want to paint your trucks. This will help to facilitate the drying process.
Step 2: Disassemble your board: The first thing you’ll need to do is to detach your trucks from your skateboard. Make sure that all that is left of your trucks are the metal parts.
Step 3: Sandpaper any old paint: Using sandpaper or steel wool, wipe off any paint if there is any until everything is clean and smooth.
Step 4: Cover up any parts you do not want to paint: Using masking or painter’s tape, cover all the truck parts that you would not like to be painted.
Step 5: Hang up your trucks: Use the string to suspend your trucks. This will help you keep your trucks neatly painted and stop you from touching them in the painting process.
Step 6: Prime the surface and areas of the trucks: Shake your paint vigorously and apply a coat of primer. While painting, the trucks may spin. You can use this to spot any missed areas and cover such up, helping you attain an even coat. Leave to dry for 1-2 hours.
Step 7: Paint your trucks: you may decide to use a single, two-tone, or multiple color scheme depending on your preference. Apply at least two coats of paint. Do this evenly because thick coats of paint would take a very long time to dry. Leave to dry for 5-24 hours.
Step 8: Remove masking tape: Once the paint is thoroughly dried, untie the trucks and remove the tape.
Step 9: Reassemble your truck: Put back the parts of your truck to the base plate.
How to Grease Skateboard Bearings
Dirt buildup on the inside of your bearings is inevitable and may cause the bearings to become slow or eventually seize up. To ensure that your skateboard bearings last for a long time and run optimally, you need to practice regular maintenance. Although you can fix minor issues by adding just a few drops of lubricant on the outer parts of the bearings, other problems may require a thorough clean of the bearings. These are some steps to help you in cleaning your skateboard bearings at home.
- Remove the wheels, bearings, and bearing shields: Use a skate tool or wrench to remove the nuts from the wheels and take them off your truck axle. Take out the bearings and bearing shields. Try not to misshape the shield while taking it off. Keep all washers and nuts in a hardware tray.
- Soak the bearings in cleaner: Wear gloves and soak the bearings in a cleanser or water-based solvent such as acetone. Soak them for several minutes, making sure to swirl them occasionally.
- Dry and re-lubricate: once the dirt has been removed, dry the bearings quickly. Use 1-2 drops of skate-specific lubricant on all the bearings. This will make them less susceptible to rust.
- Replace shields and bearings: Put back the bearing shields and replace the bearings on your wheels.
Finally
Rusting on your skateboard can cause much damage while riding. This is why keeping rust away is very paramount. Make sure to follow all the tips given here and carry out regular maintenance.
