Even if skateboards are designed to be sturdy and durable for riding and jumping, the hardwood deck can get damaged from scratches or chipping. If left ignored, a chip might harm your deck more and more, which will waste both money and time later.
Saving a cracked deck and maintaining it well for longer riding require only a couple of easy actions. This article will list the necessary equipment and steps on how to fix a chipped skateboard.
Table of Contents
What You Need
Chipping causes unbalance on the board that might be harmful to the owner. Therefore, it is preferable to find a way to fix it rather than just leave or throw it away, even when the board is not as hard and strong as it was originally. To do this, you have to prepare the following tools and materials.
- Glue
- Sawdust/ Salt
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper
- Screwdriver
- Some pieces of wood
- Rag
- Paint
- Paintbrush
Easy ways to Fix a Chipped Skateboard
You may have a few cracks on your skateboard deck over time. If you cannot acquire a brand new skateboard every week or month, get straight into the procedure to repair and make it endure longer. There will be two approaches to fix a cracked skateboard deck depending on whether you have saved the chipped parts.
With the Chipped Parts
The process is much easier when you save pieces that have fallen off your deck. If possible, gather up the parts as soon as you see them flying away to reuse them later. All you need to do is glue them on the deck. This approach is not only simple, but it’s also inexpensive if you don’t want to dump the whole deck.
Step 1. Apply the glue: Put the glue on the borders of the chipped parts and the damaged spots. Then, spread the adhesive thoroughly with a putty knife. Remember to get an instantly-hardening adhesive instead of a rubber adhesive that becomes soft.
Step 2. Put the piece in the cracked area: Make sure that the sides of the part are lined with the appropriate edges in the chipped place and push the board down until the glue is dry. You may also lay two pieces of wood on the top and bottom of the board to keep glue from sticking to your hands.
Step 3. Pour sawdust in between the deck and the piece: Salt might also be helpful if you cannot get sawdust. Place additional adhesive over the salt afterward.
Step 4. Remove excess adhesive: You must have a rag to clean the adhesive if it squeezes out. Try not to drag it everywhere when you are cleaning up.
Step 5. Sand the glued surfaces: After the adhesive is dried, you can start sanding the surface with sandpaper to make it appear flat and smooth.
Step 6. Paint the skateboard: Pick a painting color that suits the skateboard and paint the surrounding area. While this is an optional step, it helps you cover the glue and make the board look nicer.
Without the Chipped Parts
Skateboards are constructed of many layers of solid wood, which enables them to be powerful, resilient, and able to grind and leap, but they are not everlasting. They will ultimately crack when you constantly ride them. It might happen over time or after a single trick. If you have not collected chipped pieces, there are several ways you may reuse this board and guarantee that it is not wasteful.
Step 1. Clean the chipped area: You must remove the existing grip tape with a putty knife or a screwdriver before fixing the damaged board. Use a hair dryer to release the grip corner, then scrape it and throw it out. Wipe all the dust and dirt away from the crack.
Step 2. Put epoxy wood filler: Wood fillers are widely used to cover several flaws on wood surfaces. Just purchase some adhesive wood filler, blend it and pump it into the fractures. Then, spread it over the chipped area thoroughly. Ensure you do not put too much pressure on the board. You may use more than you need while using the wood repair filler since any surplus can be cleaned later.
Step 3. Sand the surface: After properly applying the epoxy and sealing the fracture, let the glue dry up for 24 hours. When it’s dry, sand it with the sandpaper until it’s smooth and even.
Step 4. Tape the surfaces: Place a tape on where the crack was to complete the repair procedure.
Step 5. Make a test ride: This step will help you check the balance of the board and verify whether the chipped parts are firmly glued. Readjust your deck if you notice that the board swings from one side to the other, making it hard to stabilize along a straight line.
Step 6. Paint the deck: Wood fillers can be used with a hardwood surface to produce a smooth painting background. But they need a layer of paint to give the skateboard a nice and finished look.
Conclusion
It looks like a waste of effort when you fix a crack on a skate deck, but it will save you from purchasing a new board. Through this article on how to fix a chipped skateboard, you have learned way to fix a cracked skateboard deck in several ways. If everything else does not work, it’s better to get a newer deck and find a solution for the existing one.
Be careful with the use of chemicals, such as glue, fillers, and paints for your skateboard restoration. Did you find this content helpful? If yes, leave a comment and share your views with friends and family.
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!