# To shield, or not to shield, that is the question **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [May 15, 2019, 10:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362 "2019-05-15T22:19:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnnyJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/johnnyj/32/94616_2.png) [@JohnnyJ](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JohnnyJ)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 10:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/1 "2019-05-15T22:19:04Z")
#teamnoshields checking in. Ease of cleaning and maybe a smoother spin? Do any of you guys put the shields back on after cleaning? ---
**Author:** ![EOS44](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/eos44/32/47059_2.png) [@EOS44](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/EOS44)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/2 "2019-05-15T22:22:20Z")
I do. In my experience makes absolutely no difference if the shields are on or not. Removing them and putting them back takes zero effort, so why not leave them on? ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/johnnyj/32/94616_2.png) [@JohnnyJ](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JohnnyJ)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 10:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/3 "2019-05-15T22:31:37Z")
I must be shield ignorant because it take blood sweat and tears for me to get mine off šŸ˜” ---
**Author:** ![Applepooh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/applepooh/32/40751_2.png) [@Applepooh](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Applepooh)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/4 "2019-05-15T22:48:16Z")
I always take shields off and throw them away. No reason, just a thing. On the ā€œcā€ clamp one edge (where itā€™s open) will be slanted like so ā€œ / ā€œ I use a sewing needle and pop that side out first. Also easier if the bearing is off the yoyo. ---
**Author:** ![shatterFX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shatterfx/32/66476_2.png) [@shatterFX](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/shatterFX)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 10:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/5 "2019-05-15T22:57:50Z")
If theyā€™re on theyā€™re on, if theyā€™re off theyā€™re off. I have gotten yoyos with bearings both ways, and donā€™t really notice a big difference. Probably easier to clean with no shields, but likewise easier to get it dirty I would think. ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 11:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/6 "2019-05-15T23:10:03Z")
I generally put them back on after I clean a bearing. > [@EOS44](#): > > Removing them and putting them back takes zero effort, so why not leave them on? I donā€™t know if Iā€™d say removing them and putting them back on takes zero effort, itā€™s a bit of a process. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 11:15pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/7 "2019-05-15T23:15:50Z")
> [@EOS44](#): > > Removing them and putting them back takes zero effort, ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/1/f/b/1fb0d35094d50ca402f699f6faef38ee872df8be.jpeg) I think bearing shields arenā€™t that useful on yo-yos because the bearing is protected inside the yo-yo 99.99% of the timeā€¦ so Iā€™m happy when bearings come without shield. But I find them super painful to remove, much less replace! ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/johnnyj/32/94616_2.png) [@JohnnyJ](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JohnnyJ)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 11:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/8 "2019-05-15T23:20:19Z")
Glad someone else isnā€™t a fan of the removal process. ---
**Author:** ![TurdFerguson69](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/turdferguson69/32/45638_2.png) [@TurdFerguson69](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TurdFerguson69)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/9 "2019-05-15T23:33:48Z")
I remove shields when I clean bearings and never put them back. I tried once to put them back as a kid and failed. Never tried again. I weirdly have a bag of a bunch of them like I will one day decide I need them. ---
**Author:** ![TheThrowingGnome](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/thethrowinggnome/32/14231_2.png) [@TheThrowingGnome](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheThrowingGnome)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/10 "2019-05-16T00:12:34Z")
Iā€™m definitely anti-shields! They are a pain to remove and are often the source of a suddenly loud bearing. I canā€™t imagine putting one back In when you have to attack the bearing with pliers and a needle just to clean it and apply some lube. ---
**Author:** ![Grendel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/grendel/32/92975_2.png) [@Grendel](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Grendel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/11 "2019-05-16T00:52:36Z")
My method of removing them involves destroying them. Itā€™s far faster and none of that pesky find the end of the c clip thingy. But thatā€™s just me. ---
**Author:** ![eternalmetal](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/eternalmetal/32/44877_2.png) [@eternalmetal](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/eternalmetal)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 1:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/12 "2019-05-16T01:25:22Z")
Shields only stay on my bearings long enough to be cleaned for the first time. In my experience, I have noticed no benefit in protection from dirt/grime/hair by leaving them on. In both cases the bearings seem to be cleaned on an equally regular basis, so I like to get those pesky bastards off as soon as possible. The yoyo housing is enough of a ā€œshieldā€ anyway. I think the only reason why people put them on is because of borrowed experience from skaters. But you have to realize skate bearings are left exposed, so the shields are the bearingā€™s only protection. ---
**Author:** ![EOS44](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/eos44/32/47059_2.png) [@EOS44](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/EOS44)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/13 "2019-05-16T01:26:29Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > ![image](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/images/transparent.png) > [@vegabomb](#): > > I donā€™t know if Iā€™d say removing them and putting them back on takes zero effort, itā€™s a bit of a process. Yeah. That would be a more accurate way to describe it. > [@JohnnyJ](#): > > I must be shield ignorant because it take blood sweat and tears for me to get mine off šŸ˜” Bros idk šŸ¤·šŸ½ā€ā™‚ļø i swear bearing shields were never a problem for me to remove and put back on. Since they make virtually no difference, of course if you like it without it just throw those in the trash. Your bearing will function exactly the same with or without them. ---
**Author:** ![SuperSurge](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/supersurge/32/59492_2.png) [@SuperSurge](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SuperSurge)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 1:56am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/14 "2019-05-16T01:56:04Z")
Yeah, me too. How would I even know which shield goes to what bearing, theyā€™re all slightly different lol ---
**Author:** ![nonja121](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nonja121/32/52722_2.png) [@nonja121](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/nonja121)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 2:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/15 "2019-05-16T02:03:10Z")
I am lazy. No shields ftw. ---
**Author:** ![anon5341354](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@anon5341354](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anon5341354)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 2:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/16 "2019-05-16T02:47:26Z")
Shields can be a total pain to remove. No shields for me. ---
**Author:** ![ThrowButcher](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/throwbutcher/32/54388_2.png) [@ThrowButcher](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ThrowButcher)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 2:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/17 "2019-05-16T02:49:45Z")
Grab a sharp one from Grandmaā€™s pincushion and pop those shields **right into the trash** ---
**Author:** ![AngryGumball](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/angrygumball/32/683872_2.png) [@AngryGumball](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AngryGumball)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 3:39am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/18 "2019-05-16T03:39:26Z")
Because Iā€™m lazyā€¦I like being efficient at what I do, I leave the shields off after theyā€™re moved. Half the time, those spring clips end up shooting off to nowhere. Unless Iā€™m doing a responsive with some heavy lube, I leave the shields off once theyā€™re removed. ---
**Author:** ![Jedillama](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jedillama/32/45547_2.png) [@Jedillama](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jedillama)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 5:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/19 "2019-05-16T17:49:48Z")
Im all about throwing side shields in the trash. It has improved my quality of life dramtaically. ---
**Author:** ![stevejspins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@stevejspins](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/stevejspins)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/20 "2019-05-16T18:43:49Z")
Iā€™ve had some tough ones to remove. If thereā€™s no issues, I leave them be. [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362.md?page=2)