How many weeks, months or years have you been using your longboard? You may be feeling a bit more confident to use it now since you’ve been practicing. Do you do tricks now or slides?
Before you enjoy another day of using your longboard, take a minute to look closely at it right now. Is it still in decent shape or is it starting to wear off? Is the grip tape still okay to use or do you think it’s kind of too dirty now?
Don’t worry, you can certainly replace the grip tape with a new one. Some people even replace the grip tape even when it isn’t worn out yet. They just do it to get a thicker one or just because they want a change in the design.
Nonetheless, the first step in replacing your grip tape is removing it. When removing the grip tape, here are the essential steps to follow:
Step 1: Prepare Your Tools And Remove The Trucks
If you want to remove the grip tape efficiently, you need to make use of tools. Removing it with just your bare hands if it is already peeling off on its own. However, most of the time, you need tools to help you. For this you will need the following:
- Skate tools
- Blow dryer
- Box cutter
The skate tools are those that you would use to take off the trucks. The blow dryer produces heat that will help lessen the grip of the adhesive. Lastly, you also need a box cutter to help you pry off the grip tape.
Although you can remove the grip tape without removing your trucks, it would be much easier if you did. Don’t be afraid because removing the trucks is easy. Besides, you need to know how to remove them so you can clean them properly and avoid squeaky trucks.
You just have to use your skate tool or a socket wrench to hold the nut. Then, use your screwdriver to unscrew the bolts. There are 4 screws in total that you need to remove. After that, you’ll be able to separate the trucks from your longboard.
Step 2: Use The Blow Dryer To Heat-up The Grip Tape
Use your blow dryer to heat up the grip tape all over the deck. You should use the heat setting on your blow dryer instead of the cool setting. You can also use a heat gun if you happen to have one.
A minute or two of heat over the grip tape will do. Then heat up one of the edges where you’d like to start peeling off the grip tape. With the heat, the adhesive used will slightly loose it’s grip so you can easily lift off from the edges.
Step 3: Use The Box Cutter To Peel The Edges
With a box cutter, you can start peeling off from the edge. It would be best to still apply heat and focus it on the edge as you use the box cutter. The blade gets in between your deck and the grip tape.
Once you’ve managed to lift off some of the grip tape from the edges, place the blower on the side to heat up the underside of the grip tape. In this manner, the heat has better access to the adhesive to loosen it further.
When using the box cutter or any other blade to start peeling from the edges, make sure that it doesn’t scratch your deck. Make sure that when using the blade, you’re only cutting through the adhesive. Take note of the angle of the blade so you don’t accidentally scratch your deck.
Don’t rush this process. Do it gradually until you get a decent piece of grip tape peeled off. The more you rush the process, the more likely you’ll scratch your deck.
Step 4: Peel The Grip Tape Off Using Your Hands
Once there is enough space for your hands to grip the tape, stop using the box cutter. Instead, just use your hands to gently pull off the grip tape. You can ask someone to hold the deck down or you can use your foot to keep the deck down as you peel the grip tape off.
It can be tempting to hastily rip off the grip tape but you should slow down once you reach the areas near the truck mount holes. It is possible for the tape to be caught in the holes. If you pull too fast, it can tear.
Use heat again on the other edges if you feel that the grip tape is going to tear apart as you pull it. Do it slowly so that you peel it out in one piece. Many peel off the grip tape half-way then start with the other edge again to peel off the rest.
Step 5: Gently Scrape Off Leftover Grip Tape
Sometimes, you can peel off the grip tape entirely without having tears. However, there are times when the grip tape tears especially at the sides or center.
When there is leftover grip tape, you can use your box cutter again to gently scrape it off. Be careful and do it slowly. You can also use the blow dryer again on those areas to loosen the adhesive.
Step 6: Tape Residue Removal
Wouldn’t it be great if you peel off the grip tape without any leftover goo or adhesive on the deck? Sometimes that happens but there are also times that there is tape residue left behind.
To remove it all you need to do is to use a WD-40 on a piece of terry cloth. Wipe this on the tape residue to remove it without damaging the design of your deck. Once the residue is completely removed, you are now ready to replace the grip tape.
