How To Remove Grip Tape From A Skateboard
So you’re looking to update your skateboards grip tape? First things first, you need to know how to remove grip tape from skateboard decks.
Start by disassembling your board, and you’ll need to use the Y-tool and a drill to do this. Take the electronics and store them somewhere that they’re going to be dry and stay safe. Now that you’ve just got the deck to work with, you can get started on removing the grip tape.
Assuming you’re currently using the stick-on style grip tape that many of our Evolve boards come with, you can do this by applying a hair dryer or heat gun on low and blowing that over the board’s surface. That should loosen up the glue enough for you to peel the grip tape away. You might need to use a utility knife to get stuck into the old grip tape at first - be careful not to damage the deck if you do this.
If you’re left with some sticky spots, or you’re using a third-party grip tape, paint thinner, grease remover, or a similar product is another option here. Brush it on to soften up the old grip tape, then peel the old grip tape off, adding more paint thinner as necessary to remove any of the sticky bits of adhesive that remain. A scrape can help with this. Once you’re happy with that, wipe it off and dry it out, then sand your deck down so that the surface is smooth.
How To Put Grip Tape On A Skateboard
Now, you just need to apply your new grip tape. We offer a few standard options here at Evolve Skateboards, depending on which of our models you’re using. We have grip tape for the GTR Bamboo, GTR Carbon, GT Carbon, and GTX Bamboo. Peel off the new grip tape’s backing, then line it up to stick onto your freshly sanded deck. As you stick it down, work from the center out to the edges. This will help to prevent bubbling. The sheet the grip tape came with will come in handy for pushing it down. You can avoid scraping or grazing your hands that way.
Cut your new grip tape to size with a utility knife. Cut diagonal slices into the corners, which you can use to fold the grip tape around the board. Grab a spanner or other hard metal tool and scrape it around the edges of your board. This will score the grip tape, making it heaps easier to cut the shape of the board out with your knife.
Make sure the edges are sanded down, then use a screwdriver to poke holes from the underside of the deck where the screws will go. You can use a file to make these holes smoother. Put your board back together in the reverse of the way that you took it apart, and voila! Your board is regripped and ready to go!
