How To Maintain a Skateboard

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Your skateboard takes a lot of abuse. A quick check of your board before each ride will keep it in top condition so it doesn't send you into a "slam."

To complete this How-To you will need:

A skateboard
A damp towel
An electric sander or sandpaper
Grip tape
A plastic or metal bristle brush
A Crescent or Allen wrench
A screwdriver
Masking tape
New rubber bushings and caps
Cleaning solvent
Lubricant
A hair dryer
New trucks

Step 1: Extend the life of your skateboard by cleaning it after each ride. Use a damp towel to wipe away any dirt or stones from the deck, grip tape, trucks, or wheels.

Step 2: The grip tape on top of the deck helps keep your feet in place. A plastic or metal bristle brush and damp towel will keep it clean, but over time it will wear down and need to be replaced. One sheet should be enough.

Tip: To remove grip tape, heat with a hair dryer and peel it off slowly.

Step 3: Flip your board over and check out the underside. The trucks are metal mounts attaching the wheels to the board. Tighten or loosen them depending on the ride you prefer -- the tighter they are, the harder to turn your board. To tighten, turn the kingpin nut clockwise with a crescent or Allen wrench. To loosen, turn counter clockwise.

Tip: Overtightening the kingpin can make it difficult to steer around obstacles.

Step 4: Check the truck components for any cracks or problems. If you find any issues, replace the truck.

Step 5: Replace the trucks' rubber bushings and pivot caps frequently.

Step 6: Rotate your wheels, just like you do the tires on a car. The easiest way to rotate them is to number your wheels 1 through 4 with pieces of masking tape. Swap 1 and 3, 2 and 4.

Tip: You may have trouble keeping your balance after rotating the wheels. You'll regain it after about an hour of skating.

Step 7: Check the bearings. If they're not spinning correctly or they're making a rubbing noise, clean them with solvent and lubricant according to the manufacturer's directions. You're good to go!

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Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Recreation
• sports
• skateboarding
• skating
• maintaining
• skateboard
• board
• caring
• keeping
• taking
• care

[badassesunite]

I love how the chick cleaning the board is wearing flip flops. Good luck skating like that.....

[jdogg288]

wow the damp towel will f-CENSORED! up the grip tape...

[That34Guy]

nice tits

[moTscottland]

clean my skateboard wench!

[TheSk8ingPotato]

press 6 for guy falling

[TommyTrain99]

water will fuck up ur whole board -_-

[BluBananaHD]

epic!

[thisismyfcukingemail]

If you needed this video, stop skating.

Just stop. Altogether. Forever.

[smashlab119]

1:01 i like my loos if you know what i mean

[TommyTrain99]

use grip gum to clean your board water just fucks it up and loses grippiness

[LivEStryker911]

DANG!! i was maintaining my broom stick all these times instead of the skateboard!

[BITCHSHITCUNTFUCK]

no one in their right of mind wears flip-flops and has fake nails when they skate.... and i'm a chick.