According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 26,000 skateboard related injuries occur each year as of 2010. Poor board maintenance is one of the factors leading to these injuries. Inspect your board before you ride. Problems such as a slippery deck can lead to an injury. Griptape is rough like sandpaper and when applied to your deck, it can prevent you from slipping off your skateboard. Griptape also aids in tricks and adds new life to your old deck.
Step 1
Clean the deck of your skateboard to remove any dirt or residue that could cause the griptape adhesive to not adhere to the board.
Step 2
Lay your skateboard deck on a flat surface. Peel the backing from the griptape adhesive. Stick your griptape to your skateboard deck, making sure you cover the entire deck.
Step 3
Rub a file along the edges of the skateboard deck, creating a white outline of your deck on the griptape. Use a utility knife and carefully cut from underneath the griptape, following the white outline to remove any excess tape.
Step 4
File around the edge of your deck, removing any jagged or rough areas of griptape.
References
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Skateboards Publication # 93
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Skateboarding Safety: Prevention
- Maya Skateboards: How to Install Griptape
- Warehouse Skateboards: How to Apply Griptape to Your Skateboard Deck
- TNT Ride: How To Remove and Re-Apply Skateboard Griptape
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