How to Put Grip Tape on a Skateboard

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  • Grip tape is the abrasive surface applied to the tops of skateboard decks. Though it comes with an adhesive backing, putting it on a skateboard is a more involved process than you may think. This page shows step-by-step How to Put Grip Tape on a Skateboard.

  • Grip tape is the abrasive surface applied to the tops of skateboard decks. Though it comes with an adhesive backing, putting it on a skateboard is a more involved process than you may think. This page shows step-by-step How to Put Grip Tape on a Skateboard.

  • What You'll Need

    • In addition to a nice new sheet of grip tape, you'll need a few household items and tools.
      1. Box cutter
      2. Tape measure
      3. Ruler
      4. Metal file
      5. 1/2" socket wrench
      6. Grip tape (see next section)

  • Preparing

    • If you want to do this right, you can't just slap on the grip tape and ride away. There are a few preliminary steps.
    1. Measure your skateboard's full width and length.
    2. Go to your local skateshop and get a sheet of good quality, name brand grip tape. Brands include Black Magic, Bullet and Jessup.
      • Grip tape is sold by the foot, or in standard sheets of 9"x33".
      • Make sure you get a sheet large enough to cover the deck with at least an inch of excess.
    3. Place the sheet on top of the deck without removing the paper backing from the adhesive: just make sure it's big enough to cover the surface.
    4. Wipe off any dust or debris from the surface of the deck.
      • If you're applying new grip tape to an old deck, make sure to sand off any residue left over from the old grip tape.

  • Applying

    • You're now ready to apply the grip tape, but this is a little more complicated than it sounds. Chiefly, you want to avoid the dreaded "air bubbles," pockets of air that can result from the uneven application of grip tape.
    1. Peel away a few inches of the backing and cut it off, in order to expose a little bit of the adhesive.
    2. Again, place the sheet on top of the deck, making sure it's squarely covering the whole thing.
    3. When it's in position, press down over the exposed part of the adhesive, making it stick to the board.
    4. Now, feel under the grip tape for the inner edge of the paper backing, directly adjacent to the part that's already stuck to the deck.
    5. Peel back the edge very slowly, while pressing down over tape as you go, for the entire length of the board.
      • As you go, if you see any bubbles of air accumulating under the tape, peel it back up past the bubble and and repress it.
    6. When done, inspect the top of the deck.
      • If there are any air bubbles apparent under the grip tape, use one or both of the following methods to get them out.
        1. Using the box cutter, make a tiny cut over the center of the bubble, then press it down.
        2. Remove one of the wheels from your skateboard using the socket wrench. Applying pressure, roll the wheel over the bubble toward the edge of the deck, in order to press out the bubble.

  • Scoring

    • There should be a smooth, flat surface of grip tape over the deck. Now you need to get rid of that extra flap of all around the edge. You'll do this by "scoring," or rubbing down over the grip tape along the edges of the deck. See this link for a photo of the process.
    1. Position the metal file at a 45° angle on the outer edge of the deck where the excess grip tape overhangs.
    2. Rub down all around the outer edge of the deck, scoring an outline of the deck.
    3. Keep rubbing all the way down to the paper, scraping off the grit, so that a clear outline of the deck is visible.
    4. Using the box cutter, cut along outline to remove excess grip tape.
    5. If the edge is not smooth and even, rub it with the file until the frayed edges come off.

  • Resources for How to Put Grip Tape on a Skateboard

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