5 Top Tips for Maintaining Your Skateboard
Introduction: Whether you're cruising through the streets or pulling off your favourite tricks at the skatepark, one thing's for sure: you need your board to be in the best possible condition. Regular maintenance is the secret to ensuring your skateboard's longevity and peak performance. In this blog post, we'll dive into the best and most important ways to maintain your skateboard. So grab your skate tool and join us on this journey to keep your board rolling smoothly.
- Keep It Clean: Skateboards and dirt go together like peanut butter and jelly, but excessive grime can really mess with your ride. Regularly cleaning your skateboard is a crucial step in maintenance. Grab a soft cloth or an old toothbrush and some mild soap, and give your deck, trucks, and wheels a good scrub. Be gentle, especially with the deck, to avoid damaging the graphics.
Remember to dry everything thoroughly afterward to prevent water damage. If your grip tape has lost its grip, give it a light sanding to remove dirt and revive its tackiness. Cleaning your board not only improves performance but also allows you to show off your rad graphic design with pride.
- Tighten Up: Skateboarding puts your equipment through some serious punishment, so it's important to ensure that all the nuts and bolts are securely tightened. Regularly check the tightness of your truck and wheel nuts using a skate tool. Loose nuts can lead to wobbly rides and accidents you'd rather avoid.
While tightening, make sure not to overtighten as it can cause damage to the skateboard components. A good rule of thumb is to tighten the nuts until they're snug but still allow the wheels and trucks to move freely. A properly tightened skateboard keeps you in control and ready for any tricks you want to conquer.
- Flip and Rotate: Skateboard wheels wear down unevenly due to the varying pressure exerted during tricks and turns. To extend the life of your wheels and ensure an even wear pattern, it's important to flip and rotate them regularly. Remove the wheels using your skate tool and swap them around, placing the ones on the outside in the middle and vice versa.
Flipping and rotating the wheels allows them to wear down evenly and ensures consistent performance. It also helps to prevent flat spots, which can seriously affect your ride. Stay smooth and keep your wheels rolling for longer by giving them a little love and rotation.
- Don't Neglect the Bearings: Bearings are the unsung heroes of your skateboard, responsible for keeping your wheels rolling smoothly. Over time, they can accumulate dirt and grime, hindering their performance. Cleaning and lubricating your bearings are key to maintaining a fast and smooth ride.
Start by removing the wheels and popping out the bearings using a skate tool. Soak them in a suitable cleaning solution, then give them a good spin to get rid of any debris. Once they're clean and dry, apply a small amount of skateboard-specific lubricant to each bearing, ensuring an even distribution.
Remember to reassemble everything correctly, aligning the bearings with the wheels, and tighten them back onto the trucks. Regular bearing maintenance not only enhances performance but also extends their lifespan, so you can keep shredding without any hiccups.
- Inspect and Replace: Regular inspections are essential to identify any wear and tear on your skateboard components. Check your deck for cracks, splits, or delamination, which can compromise its structural integrity. If you spot any damage, it's best to replace the deck to avoid potential accidents.
If you need any advice on keeping your board in primo condition, you can reach out to us here
Peace & Love
Paul
P.S. you can get all you need the components you need to upgrade your crusty setup here