Skateboard Bearing Lube Alternatives (5 Great Alternatives)

If your skateboard bearings are running dry and you don’t have any official lube like Bones Speed Cream on hand, don’t worry—you still have options. There are several skateboard bearing lube alternatives you can find around the house that work in a pinch, from motor oil to cooking spray.

They’re not perfect, and they won’t match the performance of a proper bearing lubricant, but they’ll help keep your setup rolling until you can do a proper tune-up.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best skateboard bearing lube alternatives, what to avoid, and how to clean and re-lubricate your bearings the right way.

Can You Use Household Items to Lubricate Bearings?

Yes—but with caution. Household oils and sprays can temporarily reduce friction in your skateboard bearings. Just don’t expect them to last long or protect your bearings like actual skate-specific lubes.

5 Skateboard Bearing Lube Alternatives That Work

1. Motor Oil: One of the best household alternatives. Use lightweight motor oil sparingly—too much can gum up your bearings.
2. Triflow Lubricant: A solid, chain-grade lubricant available at hardware stores. It’s closer to real bearing oil than anything in your kitchen.
3. Vegetable & Canola Oil: These are common last-ditch options. They’ll work short-term but attract grime fast and break down over time.
4. PAM Cooking Spray: This spray-on solution is easy to apply but offers very limited longevity and may collect dirt.
5. Light Greases (Silicone, Marine, Lithium): If you’ve got any bike grease or silicone grease lying around, use it sparingly. These alternatives are better than nothing and tend to last longer than oils.

What Not to Use on Bearings

1. WD-40: This is a solvent, not a lubricant. It strips away moisture and can damage bearing seals and internal components.
2. Vaseline: Petroleum jelly is sticky and attracts dirt like a magnet—bad news for your wheels.
3. Olive Oil: Somewhat usable in emergencies, but it’s thicker and more acidic than other cooking oils. Use only if you’re desperate.

Skateboard Bearing Lube Alternatives: Comparison Table

Lube Alternative	Effectiveness	Longevity	Attracts Dirt?	Avoid If…
Motor Oil	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	Yes	You want a clean, low-maintenance option
Triflow Lubricant	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	Moderate	You’re avoiding synthetic oils
Vegetable/Canola Oil	★★☆☆☆	★★☆☆☆	Yes (high)	You ride in dusty or wet conditions
PAM Cooking Spray	★★☆☆☆	★☆☆☆☆	Yes (very high)	You care about long-term performance
Light Grease (Bike/Marine)	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	Moderate	You want a faster-rolling ride
WD-40 (Not Recommended)	☆☆☆☆☆	☆☆☆☆☆	Yes (and damaging)	You’re trying to lubricate bearings (don’t!)
Vaseline (Not Recommended)	★☆☆☆☆	★★★☆☆	Extremely high	You want proper spin and speed

Notes:

• Effectiveness: How well it reduces friction and improves spin.
• Longevity: How long it lasts before needing reapplication.
• Attracts Dirt?: Higher means more grime buildup inside bearings.

How to Clean and Lubricate Skateboard Bearings

What You Need To Clean:

• Your dirty skateboard bearings
• Your choice of lubricant
• 91% alcohol or acetone
• A cup, bowl, or jar
• A small pin or razor blade to pop off the plastic shields on the bearings
• A rag
• Q-Tips (optional)

Now that you know the tools that you need, let’s discuss how to actually clean and lubricate your bearings. To be honest, it is extremely easy. You’ll be a pro in no time.

Step 1. Pop off the shields

You should be able to easily pry off the shields with a razor blade or bobby pin. Even if you break it, don’t panic! You should be okay. Just make sure when placing the bearings back in the wheels that the outer side that you can see on the wheel has a bearing shield.

Step 2. Soak your bearings in your choice of alcohol or acetone for 15 to 30 minutes

I choose to use 91% alcohol when soaking and cleaning my bearings. Usually, you should let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. However, you can totally let them sit longer. The longer that the bearings soak in the alcohol, the better.

Step 3: Clean your bearings with a rag and q-tips

Before taking your bearings out of their alcohol bath, shake them up in it in a lidded container. Then remove them and begin to clean out all of the dirt and grime with a rag and q-tip.

Step 4: Grease and reseal your bearings with their shields

When you’re all done cleaning your bearings, regrease or oil them with your choice of lubricant or lubricant alternative. 

Trusted Skateboard Bearing Lubricants

When you’re not in emergency mode, invest in a real bearing lube. Here are some of the most popular options among skaters:

• Bones Speed Cream (Starting at $15)
• Bronson Speed Co. Oil (Starting at $25)
• GraphFlo StackZ (Starting at $5)

These lubes are designed specifically for high-speed performance and long-term durability.

Grease vs Oil Lubricants

There are a few differences when it comes to grease versus oil lubricants, especially with skateboard bearings. For starters, many people notice that their skateboard’s wheels are faster when lubricated with oil. The reason being, that oil is less viscous and creates less resistance when the bearings are in motion. However, bearings that are lubricated with oil tend to need cleaning and relubrication more often.

If you prefer not to clean your wheels and bearings as often, then grease will be a better option for you. 

The kinds of grease to use on your skateboard bearings include bike grease, marine grease, silicone grease, and lithium grease. If you have some molybdenum grease around the house you can use that as well but it is a little bit overkill.

Spread the grease around the bearings with a q-tip or rag, rolling the bearing back and forth until all of the ball bearings are adequately covered.

Pop the seal back on, making sure it snaps into place. Then use your q-tip to grease the plastic seal and all of the metal on the outer part of the bearing. You want just enough to keep it moistened and protect it from rust.

Can I Use Vaseline on My Skateboard Bearings?

Using Vaseline or any type of petroleum-based lubricant on your skateboard bearings is generally not recommended. While Vaseline might provide some temporary lubrication, it is not designed for high-speed applications like skateboard bearings and can attract dirt and debris, leading to increased friction and potentially damaging your bearings over time.

Avoid using Vaseline or similar petroleum-based products on your skateboard bearings. Invest in a proper skateboard bearing lubricant to ensure the longevity and smooth performance of your bearings.

Conclusion: Skateboard Bearing Lube Alternatives

DIY skateboard bearing lube alternatives are great when you’re stuck, but they’re no match for real bearing lubricants. Always clean your bearings first, apply just the right amount of oil or grease, and try to upgrade to a proper skate lube as soon as you can.

Regular maintenance keeps your board fast, quiet, and fun to ride. So treat your bearings right—even if you’re working with pantry supplies.

And there you have it! You’ve now learned how to clean and lubricate your skateboard bearings. Remember to do this every few months or as needed. The more you ride, the more often you will need to maintain your bearings.

FAQ: Skateboard Bearing Lube Alternatives