Customizing a skateboard can give an old board a new look or turn a blank board into a personal expression. Customizing a deck is easy to do--the hardest step is deciding what you want your finished board to look like.
Step 1
Remove any hardware attached to the deck of your board such as trucks, spacers and wheels.
Step 2
Sand down your deck until you are left with a smooth surface and have removed any previous graphics, stickers and scratch marks. Wipe off any residue with a damp cloth. Let dry.
Step 3
Draw your design with pens, spray paint or any other suitable material. Use bold strokes and lines to ensure that the design is clearly visible. Go over the lines several times to make the design stand out. Create templates with cardboard to help eliminate mistakes. Add any stickers or other materials to the deck. Let the designs dry.
Step 4
Paint a clear coat of lacquer onto the deck of the board in a well-ventilated area. This seals in the design and prevents it from being removed or damaged by contact with any surfaces that you skate on. Leave this layer to dry.
Step 5
Apply another layer of lacquer to give the deck extra protection. Once this has fully dried, gently sand down the surface of the deck to remove any lumps or uneven layers of lacquer. Wipe down the deck to remove any residue.
Step 6
Reattach all hardware and go skate on your customized deck.
Things You'll Need
- Sandpaper
- Damp cloth
- Pens or spray paint
- Cardboard for templates
- Stickers
- Paintbrush
- Transparent lacquer or varnish
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