skateboard grip tape
Buying Guide
skateboard grip tape
Buying Guide
Chemical vs. Skateboarding: What's the Best Grip Tape?
Chemical vs. Skateboarding: What's the Best Grip Tape?
Skaters have individual preferences when it comes to choosing grip tape for a variety of reasons.
But what is the best grip tape for skateboards?
Should you focus on traction when making your choice?
Or should other factors be considered, such as consistency, durability, ease of application, and shoe protection?
Or is it enough that it simply makes it easier to stand on the board?
To satisfy our skateboarding instincts, we dove deep into the science of DIY and conducted an experiment comparing the top grip tape companies. Our goal: to use science to find the best grip tape.
Gripping a skateboard deck
Gripping a skateboard deck
Grip tape is very important for skateboarding, as it keeps your feet from slipping off the board, especially when doing tricks.
Some boards may come with grip tape, but others may not, so you may eventually need to apply grip tape to your deck yourself.
But don't worry, we're here to help. This article will show you step-by-step how to grip a skateboard deck. We also have a how-to video for those who prefer to learn visually. Let's get started!
Here are some easy steps to help you get started:
・Gather materials ・Put together the grip sheets
・Press the grip tape ・Round the edge ・Cut the edge
Step 1.
Gather the materials you need to apply the grip tape
Step 1.
Gather the materials you need to apply the grip tape
Grip tape
You will need a sheet of grip tape pre-cut to fit a standard deck size (approximately 9" x 33").
Utility knife or box cutter
Use a utility knife or box cutter to cut the grip tape. The sharper the blade, the easier the job will be.
driver
To scrape off the edges of the grip tape, you'll need a round metal rod. An old screwdriver works great for this purpose.
Step 2.
Align the grip sheet
Step 2.
Align the grip sheet
Start at the very end of the deck, either the nose or the tail.
Take a sheet of grip tape and lay it on the deck, leaving about an inch over the edge. This will make it easier to trim the edge with a screwdriver.
Next, make sure the sheet of grip tape fits snugly against the deck, with an extra inch or two extending over the other edge of the deck. If everything looks good, you're ready to apply the sheet.
Step 3.
Press the grip tape
Step 3.
Press the grip tape
Starting at the edge of the deck you first met, lay the sheet down, keeping it centered along the width of the board.
The tip should have about an inch of grip tape sticking out.
Use your hands to press the grip tape firmly down as you work your way along the board.
Step 4.
Rounding the edges
Step 4.
Rounding the edges
To begin this step, rub the rounded end of your screwdriver against the grip tape to create an outline that follows the edge of the deck.
Continue until you see a noticeable white line in the material. This indicates that the grip tape has been scraped off along the edge of the skateboard. This gives your board a stable edge that won't come off easily. Additionally, the white line clearly shows where to trim off the excess grip tape material in the final step.
Now there's only one more step left.
Step 5.
Cut off the edges
Step 5.
Cut off the edges
Use a sharp utility knife or box cutter to carefully trim the edges of the grip tape.
Cut along the white lines you created with the screwdriver in the previous step. These lines are a good guideline, and the material there is weaker, making it easier to cut. After the scrap pieces are removed, your board should look nearly finished.
The next thing to do is take the screwdriver again and round off the edges, rubbing them into the skate deck to provide a good transition between the deck and the grip tape and prevent the material from peeling off.
That's it!
