It’s definite that grip tape will lose its grip over time. Whether it’s from dirt, debris, or just general wear and tear, at some point you are going to remove grip tape from your skateboard. But don’t worry – with a little care and the right tools, you can remove the old tape without ruining your deck.
Picture this: you’ve been cruising around on your skateboard for months, maybe even years, and your trusty grip tape has taken a beating. It’s worn down, full of dirt and grime, and it’s time for a change.
You can also clean the grip tape to restore its grip, however, cleaning may not be effective if it is old and has worn out. The grip tape adhesive is difficult to remove and can become extremely frustrating, especially when you pull it off and it leaves small pieces that are hard to get rid of.
How to Remove Grip Tape from Skateboard Deck – DIY Method
It’s true that removing grip tape is a hideous job but there’s no need to seek professional assistance from a skate shop, you can remove it by yourself in a few minutes.
Follow the below guide to remove grip tape from the skateboardand longboard;
The first step is to take off the trucksof your skateboard as they will be a hurdle during the process. Use a skate tool to loosen up the Philips hardware of the trucks and remove them. Place them aside in a container or in one place, try not to lose them.
Since the trucks have been removed, how about cleaningthem?
Step 2: Heat Up the Grip Tape
Use a hairdryer or heat gun to heat up the grip tape. It will help in loosening the adhesive and will make it easier to remove. Be careful while using the heat gun as it can damage the deck if used for a long time or too close to the board. Hold the heat gun at least six inches away from the grip tape and keep moving it continuously.
Make sure that you are heating the grip tape evenly, and avoid applying heat in one place for more than 2 seconds.
Step 3: Start Scraping off the Edges
Once the grip tape is heated up, take a razor blade and start scraping off the grip tape from one end. We recommend detaching about half an inch of the tape from all sides. Be very careful while using the razor blade as it can damage the deck.
Hold the blade at 45 degrees and gently push it beneath the grip tape. Start scraping from one end and slowly work your way to the other. Do not force the blade, if you feel it hard to push the blade beneath the tape, reheat the area and continue the process gently.
Step 4: Peel off the Grip Tape
Once you have scraped off the edges, now it’s time to remove the grip tape. Lay the deck on the ground and place one foot on the deck to keep it pushed down, grab one edge of the grip tape firmly – either from the nose side or the tail. Now, start peeling it from one end and slowly work your way to the other.
We recommend using uniform force while pulling the tape, otherwise, it may cut into pieces which will be hectic to get rid of. If you find any resistance or difficulty to peel, reheat the grip tape and continue the process.
Step 5: Clean up the Adhesive Residue
If there is any adhesive residue left on the deck from the grip tape, don’t worry it can be easily removed.
Take a sheet of sandpaper and rub it in a circular motion over the adhesive residue. Scrub the whole deck nicely until the entire glued residue is gone. Once you have removed the residue, take a clean cloth and wipe the deck. After that, run your fingers all over the deck to find any un-smoothened area, and if there is – sand it down!
That’s it! Your skateboard or longboard deck is now ready to be used without grip tape, or you can apply new grip tape!
Video Tutorial on Removing Grip Tape from a Skateboard
Final Words
Removing grip tape from a skateboard or longboard deck is not as difficult as it may seem, but it’s a little technical. However, with the right tools and a little care, you can remove grip tape without damaging your deck.
So, don’t be afraid to try it yourself the next time you need to remove or replace your grip tape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you remove grip tape adhesive?
You can remove grip tape adhesive in 5 simple steps;
Remove trucks from the skateboard and let the deck free from any other accessory.
Heat up the entire grip tape using a hair dryer or a heat gun.
Scrape off the edges using a razor blade, keep the blade at 45-degree and do not push it too hard beneath the tape.
Lay the deck on the ground, place one foot on top and keep it pushed down. Now, grab the scrapped off edge from one end and start peeling, work your way to the other end until the whole adhesive is off.
Use sandpaper to scrub any left-over adhesive!
How do you remove Griptape without a hair dryer?
A hair dryer makes the process much easier because it loosens up the adhesive. Grip tape is a very sticky substance and removing it without a hair dryer or heating up will make it a lot difficult to peel it off. It will require a lot of force and time to finish the process.
Can you reuse grip tape skateboard?
No, you cannot reuse a grip tape skateboard. By the time you take off grip tape from a deck, it gets heated, pulled and stretched, and of course there is no protective sticker on top to protect the adhesive. The glue of the adhesive loses its stickiness and is no longer usable. I’ve tried it once but could not apply it, there were plenty of bubbles and the tape started to peel off within a few days.
Can you put new grip tape over old grip tape?
No, it is not advised to put new grip tape over the old one. We recommend removing the old tape completely and making the deck smooth before applying new grip tape.
I got inspired by my father after watching him performing heroic tricks on a skateboard. Started at the age of 8 and performed in multiple competitions, now I coach professionals for tournaments. It's not just a sport for me - more like a passion and meditation! After years of experience with different skateboarding products, here are my reviews about Best Skateboard Brands and Best Skateboard for Beginners. It's an era of technology, you can also check unbiased reviews of Best Electric Skateboards. You can also read Benefits of Skateboarding.
