Whether you use a longboard for extreme sports, pleasure, or transportation, you already know how much fun it can add to your day. Nothing beats the sensation of the wind on your face as you race down the street or share laughs and exciting stunts with friends.
A longboard with soiled grip tape is unsightly and difficult to ride. Mud on your grip tape is terrible; it clots, clumps together, detracts from the aesthetics of your longboard, and lowers your overall grip. Additionally, slick longboard surfaces can result in serious injuries and deadly accidents.
Learning how to clean longboard grip tape may save you money and ensure that your board stays in good condition for a longer period of time. While it may appear to be a difficult process, it is actually fairly simple. You only need tools like a belt sander, a rubber piece, and a wire brush to rub the grip tape.
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Cleaning Longboard Grip Tape Using a Belt Sander Cleaner
While there are other methods for cleaning grip tape, the simplest and most efficient is to use a belt sander cleanser. It’s reasonably priced and performs admirably in severe circumstances.
You may get this tool online for approximately ten dollars. It will take some time and work, but you can restore the tape to satisfactory conditions. Avoid grinding your knuckles on the grip tape.
Step 1: Rub the belt sander on the grip tape
Cut off a portion that you can grip securely or use the entire block. Rub it hard across the grip surface in a straight line & check whether the dirt comes off. If necessary, rub it more vigorously.
Step 2: Get rid of any residue & continue rubbing
Eliminate any remaining residue on the stick and continue pressing the grip tape’s surface. Repeat until all filthy areas are removed or you are satisfied with the result.
I should emphasize that while purchasing fresh grip tape may be less expensive, getting a grip tape cleaner is a one-time purchase that will last longer. This is by far the most effective technique for cleaning grip tape. Bear in mind that you will not be able to clean it till it looks like it just came out from the box.
Cleaning With a Wire Brush & a Rubber Piece
While a new grip tape is just about $6, the process of removing the old tape and putting the new adhesive on can be laborious. Rather than doing that, if your grip tape has become slick, begin by obtaining a piece of rubber & a wire brush.
These items should be readily available in every rider’s board bag. They’ll cost approximately as much as replacing the tape entirely and will help improve the performance of your longboard and your beautiful tricks.
Maintaining a clean grip tape in this manner will not restore its original appearance. However, it will re-stick your grip tape. It protects your grip tape without doing any damage. If you wish for your deck to seem like new again, upgrade the grip tape if it is peeling or too slippery in certain spots.
Step 1: Use the rubber piece
Rub your piece of rubber on the grip tape. Proceed from one edge of the board to the other. This pulls deeper dirt to the surface, which you may easily sweep away with your hand. Avoid pushing so hard that the grip tape tears.
Continue cleaning until no more filthy spots remain. If there are stubborn stains, you may choose to replace the tape entirely.
The majority of skate stores carry grip gum designed particularly for longboards, and they make excellent cleaning solutions. A rubber cement eraser purchased from a store dedicated to arts is a less expensive solution.
Step 2: Rub the tape with a soft wire brush; then use the rubber piece again
Continue cleaning with a soft wire brush to get deeper grime to appear. Then, get the rubber piece to remove it.
How to Protect Grip Tapes from Intense Wear
Frequently, filthy grip tape occurs as a result of skating near mud, sand, or a gritty environment. While this is sometimes unavoidable, you can generally limit getting your deck filthy by avoiding stepping in the dirt. Avoid skating outside immediately after it has rained.
Do not step on your board if you happen to tread in a puddle or muddy place. Water, in particular, is your deck’s deadliest opponent. The fibers of maple wood absorb water, causing them to expand. While a waterlogged deck may appear new on the exterior, it will lack the pop it once possessed.
If you’re compelled to skate and can’t stand waiting any longer, consider investing in a rain deck. Simply substitute an old board for your current configuration. Naturally, you may skate at indoor parks or choose a location with some shade.
Conclusion
Naturally, if you longboard, your board is essential to you; thus, it is critical that you take good care of it, particularly when cleaning its grip tape. One must exercise caution, even more so while you clean grip tape on a longboard with soap and water.
Unless you’re cleaning, avoid getting water on your board. While it may not seem significant if your longboard gets wet, it will be in the long term, and I’m sure you don’t want that to happen.
Additionally, you’ll want to keep the nose and tail of your board dry to keep it from becoming weak. Bear in mind that damp boards are useless! From now on, hopefully, you will know how to clean longboard grip tape. If you have any thoughts on this article, consider sharing them with us!
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!