How To Clean A Skateboard Grip Tape? – [Tested Methods]

A little bit of dirt is not problematic for your skateboard griptape, but the muddy feet over it can definitely affect its stickiness. If you have put together your dirty feet and skateboard grip tape, then you have to clean it.

I know cleaning the grip tape of your skateboard will not make it look like a new one, but it will surely increase its lifespan. After cleaning the dirty griptape, you can once again feel the fresh, sticky, and sturdy skateboard grip tape.

There I will explain how to clean a skateboard grip tape, so keep reading for more information. With my simple method, you can effortlessly clean your skateboard grip tape to get your skateboard back into shape and performance.

How To Clean A Skateboard Grip Tape?

There are three methods to clean a dirty griptape of your skateboard: a hair dryer, bristle brush, belt sander cleaner, and grip gum. Each of them is pretty different, so I am going to explain all of them in detail. 

Method 1: Grip Tape Gum

Grip tape is fundamental to increasing the life of your board’s deck, but it can also get dirty and grimy over time. You can use grip gum to clean it off when it gets dirty to make it look brand new again. 

Simply get grip gum and rub it into the grip tape until it is completely applied. After that, allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes and rinse it with water or soap. It will leave your grip tape looking like new again. 

Grip Gum Alternative

Following are some alternatives of grip tape gun you can use to clean your skateboard griptape:

Method 2: Bristle Brush And Water 

Use a bristle brush to scrub off dirt and oil from the surface of your board. Make sure to brush in both directions and apply pressure while scrubbing to get rid of any gunk stuck under the edges of your deck. 

Then rinse your board with warm water to remove all traces of the cleaning solution, then dry it properly using a paper towel or cloth towel. Be careful not to damage the surface of the skateboard deck. 

Method 3: Hair Dryer And Paper Towel 

If you do not have a bristle brush handy, try using a hair dryer. It will work well for getting rid of stubborn griptape stains that you may get while riding the skateboard in rain. Start by heating the hair dryer’s nozzle until it is hot enough to glow red. 

Hold it over the area where there is still dirt stuck to the board and hold it there for about 10 seconds. Then carefully wipe off any remaining residue with a paper towel or cloth towel. 

How To Make Griptape Less Grippy?

Here are some tips to make your griptape less grippy:

1. Use a brush instead of a roller, as the brush is forgiving. It allows you to get into all the nooks and crannies on the board.
2. Use wax or grease to clean off the griptape after every session so it does not get too slippery or wet in the heat.
3. Do not use too much glue when gluing your griptape down, which makes it harder to slide on and off, especially if you have stickers or grip tape on the top. 

How To Remove Spray On Grip Tape? 

3 methods to remove the spray on the grip tape are as follows:

Razor Blade

Use a razor blade to cut off the excess tape and slowly peel it off. The method is sluggish, but it works well for some applications where you need to do many cuts and peel.

Sharp Knife

A sharp knife is much faster than a razor blade, but getting an even cut line is difficult. I recommend using it only if you know exactly how much material you need to remove and how thick the tape you have already applied to your skateboard deck. 

Solvents

You can use any solvent that will dissolve the grip tape, like acetone or turpentine. I do not prefer using these solvents because they can damage your paint job if mixed with it too much. So, stick with something safe like mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol instead.

How To Wash Grip Tape? 

Wash your grip tape with mild soap to clear any dirt or debris on the surface. You can use a soft brush to scrub the dirt off the grip tape. Employ the same method when washing your shoes if they are dusty.

Utilize a wet cloth to wipe down the grip tape. If you rewash it, dry it first, so it does not attract more dirt than you already have. You can also add some conditioner to your wash cycle to increase its life expectancy and prevent cracking over time.

Final Words 

Cleaning skateboard grip tape is not a very difficult process. You can clean the dirty griptape at home and get the same smoothness as a new skateboard grip tape by following these steps. Regularly cleaning your skateboard grip tape will increase its life and reduce the chance of getting foot marks.

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