Grip tape is necessary to get the correct amount of friction while doing tricks and stunts on your skateboard. Grip tape is standard for most skate decks, but after time and use, it begins to wear away. If you purchased your skate deck and trucks separately, your skate deck may come without grip tape. Within a few minutes of applying the grip tape properly, you'll be back to the half pipe.
Step 1
Cut the grip tape into a rectangular shape that's 2 to 3 inches larger on each side than your skateboard deck. If you purchased your grip tape from a specialty skate shop, it's likely already properly sized, and you can skip this set.
Step 2
Remove the paper backing from your grip tape slowly, ensuring that the adhesive sides don't stick together. Place the paper over the abrasive side of the grip tape,so you don't injure your hands when smoothing it out, suggests Warehouse Skateboards.
Step 3
Position the grip tape over your skateboard deck, adhesive side down. Lightly place the grip tape onto the skate deck. If you're satisfied with the placement, press it down and then run your hands over the backing paper to smooth it down. For superior smoothness and no bubbles, use a straight edge like that on a credit card to smooth down any bumps.
Step 4
Remove the paper backing, then run your file around the outer edge of the skateboard deck. The file will create a white line on the abrasive surface that you can follow while cutting away the excess.
Step 5
Hold a razor or craft knife at a 45-degree angle, says ElSkateShop.com. Press the razor against the deck on the underside of the grip tape, and use the line that the file created to follow along the deck and remove any of the excess grip tape. Discard the excess.
Step 6
File the edges of the skateboard deck to remove rough edges from the grip tape.
Things You'll Need
- Grip tape
- Craft knife
- File
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