Can you use olive oil for skateboard bearings? (Smooth Moves)

If you’ve ever wondered if using olive oil as a lubricant for your skateboard bearings could save you money, the answer is no.

In fact, using olive oil on your skateboard can damage or even ruin your bearings and dramatically reduce their performance.

While there are plenty of cost-effective alternatives to use with skateboard bearings that will keep them running smoothly and improve their overall durability, it’s best to avoid using anything other than what the manufacturers recommend when lubing up those tiny metal balls.

In this guide, we’ll go into the cons of using olive oil for skateboard bearings so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for your setup.

Before we get started though, let’s quickly review what skateboard bearings are in case you aren’t already familiar with them.

Skateboard bearings are tiny metal rings that allow a wheel (such as one on a skateboard) to spin freely while they remain securely attached to the axle controlling speed, stability and overall performance as any experienced boarder knows.

Quick Facts: Using olive oil for skateboard bearings is not recommended. Bearings work best with a lighter, non-greasy lubricant and olive oil is too heavy and has the potential to cause corrosion. Skateboarders should use a specialized bearing lubricant like light-weight oil designed specifically for bearing maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the bearings.

Is olive oil a good lubricant for skateboard bearings?

Olive oil is not recommended as a lubricant for skateboard bearings. This is because olive oil does not have the necessary viscosity to provide adequate lubrication for the bearings.

For optimal lubrication, thicker oils such as mineral oil or synthetic oils are best suited for bearing maintenance. Olive oil also has a tendency to attract dust and dirt, which can build up in the bearings and cause premature wear or failure.

On top of that, most commercial-grade skateboard bearings contain some form of waterproofing sealant that could be compromised when using olive oil.

Furthermore, the use of olive oil may introduce contaminants into the bearing that could cause it to become corroded over time.

Why Shouldn’t Olive Oil Be Used on Skateboard Bearings?

One key part of skateboard maintenance is lubricating the bearings, which can be done using a variety of products. However, one product you should never use on your bearings is olive oil. Here are 10 reasons why olive oil shouldn’t be used on skateboard bearings. 

1. Poor Adhesion –

The main reason why you don’t want to use olive oil on your skateboard bearings is because it doesn’t adhere well to the metal surfaces. This means that the lubricant will not stay in place for very long, and your bearings won’t last as long as they should if they aren’t properly lubricated.

2. Attracts Dirt –

Another issue with olive oil is that it tends to attract dirt and grime, which can get lodged in the bearing and cause it to wear out faster than it should. For this reason, you should avoid using olive oil if you want your skateboard to last as long as possible.

3. Not Designed for Metal Surfaces –

Olive oil is designed for food preparation, not for lubricating metal surfaces like skateboard bearings. It simply isn’t designed for this purpose and won’t work nearly as well as other products that are specifically made for this task.

4. Breaks Down Quickly –

Even if you do manage to get some olive oil onto your bearings, it will break down quickly once exposed to air or moisture due to its chemical composition. This means that it won’t provide a lasting solution when compared to other products designed specifically for bearing lubrication.

5. Can Damage Surface Finish –

The chemicals in olive oil can also damage the surface finish of your skateboard bearings over time due to corrosion caused by oxidation from exposure to air and moisture over time. This will reduce the life of your bearings significantly if not prevented with proper maintenance practices such as regularly cleaning them after each ride and keeping them away from water or other liquids whenever possible.

6. Gums Up Easily –

Olive oil has a tendency to “gum up” easily when exposed to air or moisture since it’s mostly composed of vegetable oils with some added preservatives thrown in there too . So even if you do manage to try and use it, there’s no guarantee that the gummy residue won’t seep into the parts inside which could damage them beyond repair.

7. Doesn’t Provide Enough Protection –

Since olive oil isn’t designed specifically for metal surfaces, it doesn’t provide enough protection against wear, tear, friction or heat buildup like other bearing lubes do. As such, using olive oil could decrease the overall performance of your skateboard while also potentially causing damage over time.

8. Absorbs Dust & Dirt –

Since olive oil isn’t designed specifically for metal surfaces, it tends to absorb dust and dirt particles more easily than specialized lubes formulated specifically for metal surfaces like those used on skateboards. This means that even if you were able to apply some onto your board’s bearing system successfully, chances are high that dirt would still find its way inside & gum up everything anyway so best just avoid it.

9. Bad Smell –

Another downside associated with using olives oil on skateboards has more to do with smell than anything else; since olives have their unique scent which many people don’t find particularly pleasant (especially after sitting around exposed ) so best just avoid it.

10. Can Make Things Worse –

Perhaps worst all is the fact that applying liquid olives onto your skates’ bearing system can make things worse instead better by drowning out any existing grease & lube already present inside which could end up leading to much bigger problems down the road. This is why it’s always best to use specialized lubes designed specifically for metal surfaces instead.

So all in all, when it comes to lubricating your skateboard bearings, it’s best to avoid olive oil and opt for something specifically designed for the task at hand. Not only will this help ensure that your bearings last longer, but it will also help you achieve better performance and reduce the risk of damage or wear. Doing a little research into what type of lube is best for your skateboard bearings is definitely recommended if you want to get the most out of your ride.

Final Verdict

Skateboard bearings are responsible for ensuring a smooth ride when skateboarding. As such, it’s important to take care of them and ensure they’re properly lubricated so that they last as long as possible.

Many people have asked if olive oil can be used for skateboard bearings, but the verdict is unfortunately no.

Although some manufacturers claim that using vegetable oil-based lubricants such as olive oil is okay, it’s not an ideal product for this purpose.

Olive oil can become thick and sticky over time, making it a less than optimal choice for skateboard-bearing maintenance. Instead, try using a synthetic or mineral oil-based lubricant designed specifically for skateboards.