Cleaning Gaurds

[skatingintexas]

Hey yall! I have rockerz guards and love them, but the insides are pretty dirty (even though the blades only touch the ice and guards ) I've tried cleaning them with a toothbrush and it just doesn't work. Any ideas?

[riley876]

Dishwasher?

[tstop4me]

Hey yall! I have rockerz guards and love them, but the insides are pretty dirty (even though the blades only touch the ice and guards ) I've tried cleaning them with a toothbrush and it just doesn't work. Any ideas?

... and the grungy floor mat intermittently as you get on and off the ice, I presume.  I don't use Rockerz, but since they're pretty pricey, I'd check with the manufacturer before throwing them in the dishwasher; don't know whether the high heat will cause them to warp (and check whether the springs and screws need to be removed).

If you want a stronger scrubbing than a toothbrush can provide, try a wire brush (available at hardware stores, small ones are the same size as a toothbrush, better grade ones have stainless steel wire bristles, so they don't rust).  Or do like me, and just ignore the dirt.  I use the older style guards (the ones with metal springs that hook around the back of the blade); they are no longer made (bought up a bunch on clearance), but they last me 3+ yrs.  I never clean them, and have had no problems.  If the dirt is just cosmetic grunge, it does no harm to the blades.  What you need to be careful about is abrasive grit (such as sand) that can dull edges.  But such abrasive grit will likely get embedded into the guards and will likely need to be removed with a wire brush.  I don't think a dishwasher will remove embedded grit.

[nicklaszlo]

I use the dishwasher for my guards, which are actually hockey guards.

[skatingintexas]

A wire brush is a good idea. I thought about the dishwasher, but don't want to warp them. It is true that it's just cosmetic, but it's pretty yucky looking. Thanks for the input.

[Loops]

I'm like you, my blades never touch the mats..I actually take my guards off and put them back on as I enter and exit the ice, and immediately after removing the soakers. I have the same model guards as tstop. But even without counting the 25 years off the ice, mine have lasted much more than 3 years!! I run those bad boys through the dishwasher periodically. Metal hooks and all. If your dw has a temperature setting you can probably run them through with cooler water.

I suspect some of that nasty grunge comes from the ice itself.....

[tstop4me]

A wire brush is a good idea. I thought about the dishwasher, but don't want to warp them. It is true that it's just cosmetic, but it's pretty yucky looking. Thanks for the input.

If you go the wire brush route, I'd also recommend making a paste of Bon-Ami cleanser and water to help with the scrubbing (just like brushing your teeth).  Rinse thoroughly under a stream of warm (not hot) water.

Blade guards from different manufacturers use different plastics and rubbers for the guards and different metals for the springs and screws.  Different plastics and rubbers have different maximum temperatures they can be exposed to, and different metals have different corrosion resistance.  On my particular brand and model of old style guards (made of hard rubber), I suspect the springs are stainless steel; I've never had them rust.  But I know other people who have the old style guards, as well as people with the new style two-piece guards, who have complained about rust on the metal pieces.  The old style guards used to sell for ~$5 before they went off the market.  Rockerz sell for ~$30 at the shop I go to.  So, if you are even tempted to run them through the dishwasher, I would check with the manufacturer, as well as skaters who actually ran Rockerz (as opposed to some random guards) through the dishwasher.

[AgnesNitt]

Loosen the screws and take the springs off.
Soak the guards in soap and warm water.
After a while take the guards and bang them on concrete to loosen up stuff.
Rinse them off in the sink.
While still wet, Run a narrow flat screwdriver up and down the grooves.
Rinse .
Allow to air dry.
Put the springs back on (using the screwdriver you conveniently have handY)

[Query]

I don't have them. But:

Did you try spraying it with the most concentrated setting of your garden hose with a garden nozzle, with the valve turned all the way on? If you have a pulsating shower, or a "WaterPik", or equivalent, maybe it has a concentrated spray setting too, that you can try. A "power wash" for washing cars has real power...

But Agnes is probably right - they may be hard to clean without removing the springs.

BTW, wire brushes are available in dollar stores.

Be a little careful. Some wire brushes are stiff enough to scratch the finish on your fashionable guards. A good compromise might be the plastic brushes used to clean non-stick pots and pans.

Curiosity: The photos at

  https://www.rockerzskateguards.com

make it look like you can easily practice jump, balance and spin skills in them. Can you?

I use cheaper and easier to clean guards, that fit in my coat pocket. For speed skates, I made my own guards. CHEAP. Shame on me.

[lutefisk]

Simple Green is pretty good for solubilizing various kinds of gunk without damaging whatever you are cleaning.  You could try soaking them overnight in a small tray of the stuff and then testing the groove with your toothbrush.

[FigureSpins]

I bought a scrub brush from our local supermarket that's perfect for cleaning my Rockerz.  The bristles are extra long and it came with a detachable "channel brush" that fits the track.  I use a mr clean magic eraser on the outside.  Works well but the channels are still a little grubby.