How to Clean Clear Grip Tape

Jessup’s Clear Grip Tape has tons of pros. Let you showcase your board’s design, offer solid bonding without air bubbles, and won’t tear up your shoes like other brands on the market to name a few.

However, the number one con against clear grip tape is that it shows dirt easily. There may be times when you step into dirt or mud and unknowingly get on your board, transferring the mess. These substances not only make your grip tape less grippy but if you have clear grip tape it shows whatever is transferred more prominently.

Luckily, cleaning a board that has clear grip tape applied is quick and easy. It also won’t take away from the support and stick of the tape, so no need to worry about doing it often.

What Not To Do When Cleaning Grip Tape

A lot of blogs and videos are out there showing how to clean board grip tape. Some great, some not so great. One of the most common methods we’ve seen lately is promoting cleaning with Windex and scrubbing with an old toothbrush.

This is not the best way to clean skateboard grip tape. Window cleanings like Windex contain something called solvents. Solvents can actually lessen the grip of the griptape- basically, it is affecting and breaking down the resin that holds it together.

Many grip tapes are perforated- meaning they have tiny holes through the sheet. This is great because it helps prevent air bubbles. It also means that the window cleaner can soak through, getting into the wood. In doing this you could unknowingly be ruining the board itself and/or the adhesion of the grip tape.

Also, think of the toothbrush bristles. They are not strong enough to truly clean the grip tape.

So what is another -better- way to clean that clear grip tape?

The Best Way to Clean Clear Grip Tape

Two words- natural rubber. Natural what you might be saying?! Many skateboarders out there trust it, and you can find it in a few places these days- including skate shops and on Amazon.

You’ll also want a few other supplies on hand to really get a good clean. Grab a soft wire brush (brass or steel wire brush), a little cup of water, a rag, and a hairdryer.

Steps to Clean Skateboard Grip Tape

It just takes a few simple steps to clean skateboard grip tape. With the right tools, you can complete the job in a matter of 5 minutes or less.

1. Start by rubbing the natural rubber back and forth on the board. This process will remove the surface debris, mainly dust. It is a good prep for getting ready to deep clean.
2. To remove the stubborn stuff grab your soft wire brush. A soft wire brush is a lot stronger than a toothbrush, but still gentle enough to not upset the integrity of the board or grip tape. Use a gentle circular motion to get dirt from deep down to come to the surface.
3. Use the rubber to wipe away the excess the soft wire brush has brought to the surface.

PRO TIP: If you have some really set-in dirt and mud, use a small amount of water on your wire brush. Then use a rag to soak up excess water and a hairdryer to dry the grip tape completely before using the rubber to wipe away the excess.

Jessup Manufacturing Knows Skateboarding

We’ve been making the best grip tape since 1975, gripping over 25 million boards! While there are many ways to clean clear grip tape, this just happens to be one of our favorite techniques (right now!). Tag us in pics of your boards and tell us your top tricks to keeping your grip tape looking clean and doing its job.