Layers of dirt or mud over your skateboard deck can decrease resistance, making it difficult to attempt tricks during playing. Thus, a dirty skateboard can significantly hinder gameplay.
When you walk on your board with filthy feet, the grip tape may lose its grip. If your skateboard is not functioning properly owing to dirt, it will show. You won’t be able to improve the performance while playing if you don’t know how to clean your board correctly.
Don’t worry, I’ll show you the best home remedies and DIYs for cleaning your skateboard and decks. That way, you can improve performance and prolong the life of your skateboard, saving you money in the long run.
How to clean a skateboard deck? clean with Soft Brush Wire:
The following is an easy and effortless way to clean your skateboard deck by spending only a small amount of money. For this process, all you need is a soft wire brush and Grip gum.
Step 1: Buy a Soft Wire Brush
You can buy the soft wire brush from your local shop and any online stores, but keep in mind that the bristles are not sharp enough to rip grip tape. The short bristles of the brush must allow for accuracy while cleaning your deck’s grip tape. Don’t get big bristle brushes; otherwise, your skateboard deck’s grip tape will be harmed.
Step 2: Brush the Grip Tape
After you purchase the soft brush, begin brushing the grip’s tap with the wire brush. Start at one end of the deck and work your way through to the other side in sections. This will allow you to clean any deep dirt from the surface of your deck. You can also sweep it by using your hands but be careful not to push too hard or else you might tear something. Also, avoid stripping away the grit on your board.
Step 3: Remove the Excess Dirt with Grip Gum
You can purchase grip gum for skateboards from any physical or online store. Grip gum is effective in removing a deck’s excess dirt and dust; after using the wire brush to soften, simply rub it onto the grip tape and then brush softly. Be careful not to apply too much pressure while brushing the deck – doing so will result in needing a new one.
Cleaning your Skateboard Deck with Some Common Materials that You Find In Your Home:
If you don’t want to waste money on deck cleaning, this is the most effective way I know of to clean your deck with basic home treatments.
The following items will be needed for this process: a Firm toothbrush / soft wire brush, Water, Soap, Grip gum (optional), Bowl, and Dry cloth.
Step 1: Gather All The Things that You Need for Your Projects
You may get all of the above supplies at home to clean your skateboard deck or grip tape, especially if you have a garage. Try and obtain the old toothbrush and soft wire brush from the garage as well as any other necessary items such as soap, gum, dry and clean wear cloth, and water. You’re ready to go if you can gather all of the stuff.
Step 2: Fill the Bowl with a Mixture of Soap and Water
Fill a medium-size bowl with tap water and soap, ensuring not to submerge your skateboard deck as it will damage the desired snap or pop. lemon juice can be added for clean scent if preferred.
Step 3: Dip the Brush And Start Scrubbing
You should start by cleaning the edges of the board, where most of the dirt is concentrated. Allow enough time for the cleaner to work on tougher stains before moving on. Your brush will get dirty while you’re cleaning; just rinse it back in your bowl of cleaning solution when this happens and continue scrubbing. Be careful not to let the deck soak in water for too long, as this can damage it. And don’t apply too much pressure while cleaning, as this can cause scratches or breakages.
Step 4: Make it Dries with the Dry Cloth
Make sure your deck is completely dry after cleaning it with the cleaning solution and brush. If you have any microfiber cloth, this would be a good opportunity to use it on your deck. After unfolding the cloth, patting it to absorb any extra moisture, fold it again and press it firmly against the deck until it’s fully dry. The wood portion as well as the ground below will also dry. Because paper towels create more dust and are prone to breaking, don’t utilize them for drying purposes.
Step 5: Perfect Time for Drying
It is essential to keep your board in an open, dry area for at least three hours. If you ride a wet board, it will break down quickly and ruin your skating experience. After cleaning the board, be sure to let it dry before riding if you want to maintain safety while skating.
Step 6: Remove Excess Dirt Use Grip Gum
If you have grip gum, you can rub it across the board; this is not necessary, but it’s an optional task for you. Grip gum is a little bit expensive, so if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to use ,like a cheap rubber cement eraser. You can find them near the hardware store and work with it.
A dirty skateboard will decrease your performance intensity. If you want to get your skateboard’s old glory performance back, follow the steps below where I show how to clean every part of the skateboard separately.
How to Clean Skateboard Bearing?
The entire process can be done outside your home. If your bearing is dirty, you’ll need to clean it using lubricant, a towel, single use-cups, and some speed cream. For optimal results when cleaning the bearing , roll it during pre-cleansing and run if for post cleansing. Some bearings come with removal shields which protect against accidents or injuries related to the lubricant . Place the towel on the working area before beginning to avoid any mishaps.
For doing this cleaning process, you have to do the following things:
To begin, fill a cup with the lube or spray it into one. Then take the bearing in your hand and pour them inside the cup, and let it sit in the pule of lube. They can stay for more than an hour if properly stored. If you find that the lubricant is dirty, replace it with a fresh, pure sample.
For your eight bearings, do the same procedure. Repeat this procedure until you can see the clean and fresh bearing into the cup. It’s time to clean it with a paper towel now that you’ve got new lube, but don’t mix them up—clean one at a time to get better results. To remove the extra, roll the bearing and shake it around. Finally, apply Teflon-coated speed cream to them, and they’re ready to use.
How to Clean Skateboard Wheels?
Over time, it’s inevitable that your wheels will get dirty. When you see a yellowish color start to form, you know it’s time for a cleaning. You can either change the wheel or clean it with a wet rag; depending on how much dirt has accumulated.
To remove the wheel, first use a wrench to unscrew it.
To clean the bearings, you will need to remove them. Use a screwdriver to take them apart so that you can clean each one separately. You will then need a toothbrush or wire brush with some dishwashing soap in order to clean them properly. Take brushes with thin bristles and get inside the curves and edges quickly. After that, soak them for 15-20 minutes under warm water before scrubbing them finally clean with lotion for extra smoothness . Finally, let dry by using paper towel.
How to Clean Skateboard Grip Tape?
You can ride again without replacing your grip tape if you follow this DIY project. You’ll need a microfiber cloth, a ribber, and a soft brush for this procedure. To remove any dirt from the deck, put enough force on it to slide it across the surface. After that, use a soft dry brush and clean away any extra dust with a gentle cloth.
If you use a wet one and clean it with water, the grip tape will become damaged and won’t function properly. Soft brushes can more accurately clean grip tape.
The other method to clean grip tape is by using window cleaner and soft brushes. Apply pressure with the brush strokes in one direction until you reach the opposite side. Then use a microfiber cloth to dry it off.
Only apply the grip gum method to dry grip tape; you will not get better results if the grip tap is damp.
How to Clean the Skateboard Truck?
To clean the Skateboard trucks and prevent rusting, which can cause truck fracture, use a white vinegar and paper towel combination.
The number one method to remove rust from metal is to match it with the appropriate quantity of vinegar. Allow it to rest for a few hours before scrubbing the area thoroughly. Clean it off with a paper towel and make sure everything is dry before taking any further preventative measures, such as spraying lubricant over rusty areas.
So, I am sure you learned a lot about cleaning your skateboard’s various components from my post. The techniques are simple, and I believe they will be extremely beneficial to you. However, bear in mind that one thing is not to apply DIY methods until you’ve mastered them.