Skateboarding is always an enjoyable activity to do. As long as the skateboard rolls the way you want it, the fun continues all day.
However, it’s a different story once your skateboard encounters damage and refuses to perform at an optimum level. A few factors that cause these issues include the aging of the board’s components, the impact of riding, and the incompatibility of some parts.
Let me show you how to fix a broken skateboard with the following process:
- Cleaning the parts
- Connecting the broken pieces
- Strengthening the board
Table of Contents
What You Will Need
You might have seen a couple of tutorials telling you to use plastic or any single material to mend the parts of your skateboard. But in this guide, I will show you how to incorporate one remedy with another to guarantee the best results.
1. Duct tape
Before you brace back your broken skateboard, you need to stabilize its parts first. To do so, you will need to use duct tape. This adhesive helps you hold the pieces of your skateboard right before strengthening it. That way, you won’t have to worry about moving or misaligned parts during the repair process.
When picking duct tape, always choose a wide one. The perfect duct tape sizes for connecting two broken parts should be around 3″ to 4″. With this, you’ll be able to cover enough space from the point where the split parts meet. Also, ensure that the duct tape is of good quality to add durability to your repaired skateboard.
2. Skateboard Rails
The strengthening process on your skateboard should not only cover the middle part. It should also take the sides into account to achieve overall durability. That means you will need to use a pair of skateboard rails.
These pieces go parallel to the length of your skateboard. They are responsible for supporting the board’s side frame and keeping the edges impact-proof. Using a pair of rails also adds some pop to your board, making it feel like it’s brand new.
When choosing skateboard rails, be sure they’re long enough to support your weight. Pick a pair that’s approximately as long as your wheelbase. Most skateboard rails go around a length of 14″ and a thickness of less than an inch.
3. A piece of wood
Of course, you don’t want your skateboard to collapse in the middle while riding. So, you have to prepare a piece of wood to support your skateboard from the bottom of the deck. You will mount this piece of wood in between the skateboard rails. Read more quality skateboard decks through these reviews, the favorite blank skateboard decks, and the top-rated skateboard decks for the street.
Secure an old damaged skateboard or any wood slab that’s the same shape as the board you are fixing. Cut out a size big enough to overlap the skateboard’s broken portions and provide ample space to hold the pieces together. With this, you will not only be able to add some support to your skateboard, but you also get to extend its lifespan.
4. Hand tools and mounting tools
To be sure you’re making the most of your duct tape, rails, and wood piece, you need to use appropriate repair materials. That way, you get to mount each part firmly and ensure they’re going to last long.
You need a cutter, screwdriver, hand drill, screws, bolts, glue, and any cleaning tool. Other pieces of equipment you may deem helpful are acceptable. The instruments listed above would assist you from cleaning the parts down to finishing the process. So, it’s right to secure them to drive the best outcome possible.
Steps on Fixing a Broken Skateboard
It’s always a pleasure to have complete pieces of equipment when you fix a skateboard. But to ensure you’re doing it right, take note of the following process.
Step 1: Cleaning
Take the broken pieces of your skateboard. Using a nylon brush or any cleaning tool you prepared, gently rub the surface of your skateboard. Be sure to remove any dust buildup or debris that might cause misalignment once you connect the broken parts of the skateboard.
Do the same procedure even if your board’s only got cracks and not a total breakage. It’s best to strengthen the skateboard without any form of dirt on it.
Step 2: Connecting the broken portions
This step is one of the most crucial parts of fixing your skateboard. It will dictate the foundation of your board and how long it will last after repair.
First, position the skateboard parts sideways with either the top or the bottom of the deck facing you. Align them to make them look like complete skateboards. Grab your duct tape and begin covering the seams from the side of the deck. Slowly wrap the entire broken portion with the adhesive conforming to the shape of the deck.
Step 3: Bracing
The next part we need to fix is the sides of your skateboard. Position the board with the stepping surface facing down. Take your pair of skateboard rails and place them approximately half an inch from the sides of the deck. Also, make sure they’re close to the middle of the deck from a length perspective to keep things in balance.
Use your screws to mount these rails and ensure they’re a snug fit.
Step 4: Strengthening the board
The last thing you need to attach to your skateboard is the piece of wood you prepared. Glue your wood at the bottom of the deck.
Make sure that the crack or damage aligns with the middle of the wood piece for balance. Next, flip your skateboard and drill your flat screws to fix the wood on the deck’s surface.
Pro Tips
- Do a regular check-up on your skateboards to execute preventive maintenance and reduce the chances of damage to them.
- Use your skateboard for its specific type of ride and environment to help preserve its lifespan.
- Don’t be afraid to explore skateboard repair procedures to know whether your damaged board can still work well.
Conclusion
A damaged skateboard does not signify the end of a skateboarder’s journey. The truth is, issues on the skateboard help the user become innovative and responsive to the maintenance needs of the board.
One of the best ways to respond to these problems is to know how to fix a broken skateboard. With the tips I have shared with you, it’s time to get to your damaged boards and restore them.
Did you enjoy this tutorial? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section.
I am Michael, and I have been enjoying this fun sport for seven years. And nothing is better than having a community to share our passion for those thrilling tricks. I am ready to tell you all I know about skateboarding, showing you how to choose a good board and trick to start and how the practice goes. Stay tuned!