How to Clean Your Skateboard Deck Using Two Easy Methods?

If your skateboard is gritty, grimy, and caked on with dirt, it’s time for a thorough clean! Shredding on a dirty deck results in decreased resistance and grip. If you are clueless about how to clean your skateboard deck, we’ve got you covered!

This guide will show you how to clean your skateboard in no time using two highly effective methods!

Among a host of other benefits, keeping your deck clean prolongs its use and protects you from untoward incidents that could be detrimental to your safety.

How to Clean Your Skateboard Deck with a Wire Brush

What You Need

Clean your skateboard in a jiffy with this fool-proof technique that professional riders swear by. It’s quick, mess-free, and really easy. Here are the materials you will need:

These materials are affordable, easy to use, and widely available in skate shops and hardware stores. Grip gum, when used with a wire brush, lifts dust, dirt, and tough stains efficiently. Cleaning your skateboard deck requires minimal time and effort and makes for a safe and satisfying experience!

Learn how to clean a skateboard deck the right way by following these steps:

Step 1: Choose The Right Kind of Wire Brush

To achieve the best results, pick a wire brush that’s soft but comes with sturdy bristles. Make sure the bristles are not too sharp as this may cause your grip tape to tear. A small brush performs more efficiently and provides unmatched precision when cleaning tight spaces and crevices.

Step 2: Brush Off The Grip Tape

Start by brushing the end of your deck and make your way across using quick yet firm strokes. Be careful not to push the brush too hard to prevent your grip tape from tearing and separating. Take your time and try not to put too much pressure to avoid stripping the grit off your deck.

Step 3: Get Rid of Excess Dirt and Residue

Rub some of your grip gum on your grip tape lengthwise using long and firm strokes. Move with precision, like you would when using an eraser, to cover the entire surface of your deck well. Finally, brush the excess off carefully and thoroughly.

How to Clean Your Skateboard Deck with Materials at Home

If you’re strapped for cash or time and would rather work with cleaning materials you already have at home, you’re in luck! Do-it-yourself with the help of this guide:

What You Need

For a hassle-free and time-saving experience, get your board looking rad and ready to roll with the items listed here:

More often than not, these materials are readily available at home at no extra cost. What’s more, this is a great way of recycling that old, banged-up toothbrush you’ve been holding on to for so long!

Should you decide to start sprucing up and cleaning your deck right now, you totally can! If you need to head out soon but your deck is in dire need of cleaning, this method makes an awesome alternative. Follow the steps outlined here to get the job done:

Step 1: Gather All the Materials You Need

Prepare all the materials you need beforehand so you have them within arm’s reach. Make sure your basin and brush are both clean and free from dust or debris. Put your skateboard on your workspace; ensuring the area is well-lit and ventilated helps too.

Step 2: Make Your Soap and Water Solution

Take your basin and fill it with tap water, make sure the water is clean and free from debris. Pour your liquid soap or detergent in and give it a good stir, be careful not to put too much. Ensure the soap is fully dissolved and mixed well.

Step 3: Dip Your Brush In The Solution

Submerge the head of the toothbrush in the solution completely and let it soak for a bit. Make sure the brush head doesn’t come out too sudsy but wet enough to work with. Shake the excess water and soap off before using the brush to clean your deck.

Step 4: Scrub Your Deck

Begin by brushing the end of your deck and making your way across lengthwise. Take your time in cleaning the parts where more dirt has accumulated but remember not to push too hard to prevent your grip tape from tearing and stripping off the grit. Rinse your brush in the solution in between scrubbing or as soon as it gets too dirty.

Step 5: Dry Your Deck

As soon as you are done scrubbing your deck, it is important to dry it immediately. Using a dry cloth or a microfiber cloth, pat the surface to absorb excess water and moisture. Fold the cloth and use the other side if necessary. Check the underside of your deck and dry the area as well.

Step 6: Aerate Your Deck

While patting your skateboard dry should do the trick, aerating your skateboard deck in an open area is still highly advised. Leave it for at least 2 hours until it is completely dry. It is never a good idea to ride your skateboard while it is still slightly wet.

Step 7: Remove Excess Dirt With Grip Gum

While completely optional, grip gum gets rid of the excess dirt you may have left behind while scrubbing. Rub it on your grip tape lengthwise using long and firm strokes, then brush the excess product off. This extra step will leave your deck looking spankin’ new!

Check out this video for more information about keeping your skateboard clean and in top shape so you can enjoy riding it for years to come:

Conclusion

While cleaning a skateboard seems like an unnecessary task, it spells a big difference in the way it looks and performs. Knowing how to clean your skateboard deck also prolongs its life, giving you a bang for your buck and promoting your safety.

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and it gives you the motivation you need to consistently look after your deck. Simply follow the steps outlined in this guide and clean your deck at least once every 2 months. If you found this post beneficial, share it with other skateboarding enthusiasts you know who could use some help.

We would love for you to share your comments and suggestions too by leaving us a comment below.

Michael Derosier

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!