Skateboarding Grip Tape
True Grit.
Attaching Grip Tape
* Grip tape comes in adhesive-backed rolls. Cut a piece long enough to cover your entire board. If you're feeling creative, cut small shapes (letters, stars, etc.) into the center of the tape so you can see the wood of the board through the holes. Make sure you don't cut anything so large you lose your footing while riding.
* Remove your skateboard's trucks. This will make it easier to cut the holes over the screws once you've attached the tape.
* Carefully attach the grip tape to the board, smoothing the tape with your hand as you go. You are trying to avoid pockets of air forming bubbles in the grip tape, which can easily tear and peel the tape off while you're riding. If any air bubbles form while you're applying the grip tape, simply make a tiny incision with a
razor and press the tape back onto the board.
* Once the grip tape is on the board there will be some excess tape coming off the side of the board. To remove it, flip the board over so the bottom is facing up. Take a razor and carefully cut around the side of the board. You want to keep the
razor as close to the edge of the wood as possible because any loose grip tape hanging off the sides can peel the tape off.
* After you've removed the excess grip tape, cut holes in the tape over the eight points your trucks attach to. Re-attach your trucks and go out and cause some damage to municipal property.
Removing Grip Tape
Say you recently acquired a used board and the grip tape is looking a little ragged. Not a problem. All you need to remove old grip tape is a strong
razor.
* The objective in removing grip tape is to heat up the adhesive to the point where it becomes easy to peel off. Start at one end of the board and use the hair dryer right at the edge of the tape.
* Once the adhesive is hot enough, slide the razor CAREFULLY under the grip tape and peel it up until you can get a grip on it.
* DO NOT use the razor to peel the grip tape. It's too easy to create gouges in the surface of the board, which makes it easier for air bubbles to form next time you attach grip tape.
* Continue heating and pulling until the grip tape is completely removed.
* Once the grip tape is completely removed, use an adhesive residue remover to clean off the gunk from your old grip tape. If the residue isn't removed, it tends to clump up under fresh grip tape, making for an uneven riding surface.
* After the board is thoroughly cleaned, attach your fresh grip tape and go cause some damage to municipal property.
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