# 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:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![beeebon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/beeebon/32/30672_2.png) [@beeebon](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/beeebon)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 6:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/21 "2019-05-16T18:57:29Z")
Very recently I started leaving them off, previously I always thought “well they must be on for a reason” but since keeping them off I have noticed zero difference. ---
**Author:** ![WretchedRapture](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/wretchedrapture/32/1124_2.png) [@WretchedRapture](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/WretchedRapture)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/22 "2019-05-16T20:31:20Z")
I always put my shields back on - habit from my skateboarding days - but this guy know what he’s talking about. A sharp sewing needle to the slanted edge of the C-clip and the shield should come off without a problem. Putting them back in is as easy as laying the shield down, pinching the C-clip, inserting the open edge of the C-clip under the edge of the bearing first, and then pressing the remainder of the clip down. Snaps on and off very easily. I do have a ton of experience cleaning bearings though. :wink: ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 8:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/23 "2019-05-16T20:36:17Z")
I have only had 1 bearing give me trouble while de-shielding. I use to put the shields back on (it is simple enough to do), but lately, I’ve been throwing them away after removing them. @WretchedRapture I too use to do regular bearing maintenance on my boards. EzPeezy ---
**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 17, 2019, 6:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/24 "2019-05-17T06:47:22Z")
Agreed. No difference noticed. My thought is the design of yoyos is such that they make a shield for bearing in the throw. Unlike a skateboard wheel/axel set up which leaves them relatively open to the elements. I use to skate a lot as well. I put every sheild back on my skate bearings. ---
**Author:** ![YoYoExpertGarrett](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyoexpertgarrett/32/1543_2.png) [@YoYoExpertGarrett](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoYoExpertGarrett)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2019, 1:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/25 "2019-05-17T13:01:23Z")
When I take shields off they immediately go in the trash. ---
**Author:** ![G2\_Jake](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/g2_jake/32/446_2.png) [@G2\_Jake](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/G2_Jake)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2019, 1:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/26 "2019-05-17T13:28:12Z")
I pay extra to have the shields removed for my orders. Weird I know. ---
**Author:** ![FiveIronBrian](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fiveironbrian/32/451_2.png) [@FiveIronBrian](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FiveIronBrian)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/27 "2019-05-17T13:33:14Z")
The shields add way too much center weight. I find that my yo-yos play a lot better without them. ---
**Author:** ![SpyseaRice](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/spysearice/32/82121_2.png) [@SpyseaRice](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SpyseaRice)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2019, 1:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/28 "2019-05-17T13:38:31Z")
:thinking: :thinking: :thinking: :thinking: :thinking: how about glueing the c-clips to the rims? :yo-yo: ---
**Author:** ![anon5341354](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@anon5341354](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anon5341354)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2019, 1:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/29 "2019-05-17T13:58:13Z")
Lol! ---
**Author:** ![Cannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Cannon](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Cannon)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/30 "2019-05-17T14:19:59Z")
If I feel like the bearing needs to be cleaned really well, I take them off and throw the shields away. Otherwise I really dont think about it much. ---
**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 17, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/31 "2019-05-17T15:58:56Z")
That statement seals the deal, Im ordering a couple Bosses, as long as they’re some online ---
**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 18, 2019, 12:13pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362/32 "2019-05-18T12:13:50Z")
Ahgooooood morning! Also, not weird at all. I see that as going that extra mile as it were to cater to your customers’ preferences. @G2_Jake, you’re doing great things man, we all see the love for the craft and care that ends up in your throws… Which I wouldnt know anything at all about personally, I think an ex cursed me to be gay but the entity read it G2, so thats why I miss every drop. But I’ve never heard anything but positive stuff, and soon as I find that hoodoo root doll I know she got under my porch, oh Imma be all up in them… Drops! #Dadlife #Colorwat #BossBearings [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/to-shield-or-not-to-shield-that-is-the-question/302362.md?page=1)