Skateboard deck rails attach to the underside of a skateboard and typically facilitate some tricks while also protecting the board. In some cases, they simply look great and add to the board's style. You can buy a skateboard with the deck rails already attached, or buy the rails separately. As of 2010, they are not as popular as they were during old-school skateboarding of the 1980s, but they still are available from a few manufacturers.
Step 1
Purchase a skateboard deck rail kit. These products are available for less than $10 and come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Select the deck rails appropriate for your skateboard's style by matching the color scheme of the rails to the board's overall color or graphics. Choose a curved deck rail for the front (nose) of the board, if desired, and long straight rails for the body of the board.
Step 2
Read the instructions that came with the rail kit. You can attach rails in different ways, depending on the material and thickness of the deck rail. Most use small screws to attach to the skateboard.
Step 3
Lay the skateboard on its top, with the underside and wheels exposed.
Step 4
Position the first deck rail on the underside of the board, parallel to the board's edge. You can place a deck rail anywhere under the board, though they are rarely positioned right on the board's edge. Lay the rail at least a half-inch from the edge, or a little more. If your board contains a painted graphic on its underside, position the rail so it does not disrupt the image.
Step 5
Screw the included screws through the rail and into the board. In most cases, you do not need a drill when attaching skateboard rails.
Step 6
Attach the other rail on the opposite side of the board in the same manner as the first.
Step 7
Grind the skateboard on rougher surfaces than before, now that you have skateboard deck rails installed. A skateboard grind is the sliding of a skateboard on a surface without contact with the board's wheels. Some surfaces are particularly rough and interfere with grinding. A good deck rail touches the surface instead, offering less friction than contact with the wood of the board.
Tips and Warnings
- If you have a lavishly decorated skateboard, deck rails can give you more confidence to try more tricks that might otherwise scratch the underside graphics. Since rails usually touch the concrete more often than the underside of the board itself, the graphics will stay intact longer.
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Skateboard
- Deck rails
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