Skateboarding for Beginners: How and Why You Need to Apply Grip Tape

Skateboarding for Beginners

Skateboarding for Beginners: How and Why You Need to Apply Grip Tape

If you’re a complete beginner and wonder whether you really need grip tape for your skateboard, the answer is yes - absolutely. Grip tape is crucial to your skateboarding success, particularly if you plan to learn even the most basic of tricks. This is because skate grip tape creates the grip needed to ensure your feet cling securely to your board. Even if your board was pre-gripped when you purchased it, gripping a deck is an essential skill for skateboarders. You can count on the knowledge coming in handy when it’s time to grip another board or re-grip the deck on your current board. When that time comes, you’ll be more familiar with your skateboard and have a pretty good idea of the best grip tape for skateboards. Thankfully, the process is pretty simple and well worth the effort. That said, be sure to take your time and pay careful attention to detail – grip tape bonds quickly to what it touches and is made to be stay put, so it’s not easy to remove once in place. With that in mind, let’s get started.

The materials you’ll need to apply grip tape on a skateboard deck are a skate tool (or file), a razor blade (or box cutter), and, of course, the best skateboard grip tape you can get your hands on. You have the option of different types, including clear grip tape. Start by uncovering the sticky side of your grip tape – to do this, you simply need to peel away the backing. Don’t toss the paper backing – it will come in handy as a guard for your hands as you are pressing the tape down onto your board. Simply use the backing as a barrier on top of the tape’s rough side, between your hands and the deck during application.

Next, holding the tape over your board, take the time to center it as accurately as possible. It helps to allow the tape droop slightly, so the midpoint will stick to your skateboard before the sides. Once you’ve adhered the center, you can more smoothly adhere the rest of the tape, slowly working from the midpoint outwards. Centering the tape accurately is important; otherwise, it may not reach the edges on your board. Once in place, you can smooth the grip tape, flattening out any air bubbles as you go. If you encounter a troublesome bump created by trapped air, you can use your razor blade to make a small cut that will help to eliminate the bump entirely.

Now it is time to use your skate tool or metal file. If you don’t have either of those on hand, try using the shaft of a screwdriver. Scraping the outer edge of your deck, buff vigorously 'til the grain is removed in those areas. You will then be left with a white outline on the grip tape that edges your board.

Now you’re ready to remove any extra grip tape using your blade. Keep your fingers safe during this process, being mindful that you’re working with a sharp blade. If you’re young and/or inexperienced, remember that you will need to ask for help with this part of the process. Holding your blade at 45 degrees, start at the bottom and cut upwards. Go all around your board deck performing this process, from tail to nose or nose to tail, running the sharp edge the entire way to get rid all extra grip tape.

Finally, you’re ready to add the finishing touches by filing down the edges with your metal file. You’ll find a screwdriver to be a handy tool for poking through the grip tape where you’ll need to mount the skateboard trucks to fasten the wheels to your skate deck. If you’re looking for clear grip tape for your skateboard, you can find clear griptape and many other varieties at your favorite skate shop or easily order online.

2020-07-19 23:00:00
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