The grip tape’s main purpose is to give you a good grip while using your board, but it can also help you customize your skateboard or penny board and make it unique.
Table of Contents
What is grip tape
Grip tape is a type of sandpaper that is adhered to the top of your skateboard deck to provide a good grip. Without a grip tape, you will most likely fall off your skateboard when trying to do tricks. It is what provides resistance and friction between your shoes and the deck.
A grip tape sheet is generally 9″ x 33″ in size, which makes it big enough to cover any skateboard or penny board. The sheet can also have different prints and graphics on it.
The grip tape wears out in time because of the constant friction with your shoes. If you want to make sure that your tape lasts longer, avoid getting on your skateboard with shoes full of dirt and try to clean it regularly with a household cleaning brush.
The only downside of the grip take is that it also wears out your skate shoes much faster.
How to apply grip tape to a board
Applying grip tape to a skateboard deck is really simple and should only take a few minutes. If it’s a new board, you can go ahead and follow the steps straight away. If it’s an older board, you will first need to remove the old tape. You can do this easier by using a hairdryer, as the hot air liquefies the adhesive.
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Step 1 – Take the grip tape and remove the paper backing.
Step 2 – Hold the grip take over your skateboard and center it. Next, let it adhere to the center of the nose and tail of your skateboard first. Once it sticks there, start adhering it to the center of the entire board, from nose to tail. Then, you want to slowly adhere it from the center to the edges. Do this slowly and carefully to avoid leaving any trapped air bubbles. You should avoid using your hand directly on the tape if you don’t want to end up with scrapes. If you do end up with any air bubbles, simply use a razor blade or a box cutter to poke out the air.
Step 3 – Using a file or a screwdriver, start to scrape around the edges of the deck, until the grains are worn off. This will help you create a guideline for cutting the excess tape.
Step 4 – Take a razor blade or a box cutter and start cutting away the excess tape. You should hold the razor blade at a 45-degree angle and make your cuts from the bottom up.
Step 5 – Use a file or the excess tape to smooth out the edges.
Step 6 – Using a screwdriver, poke holes into the tape where the trucks will be mounted.
ZUEXT Skateboard Grip Tape
Gripping your skateboard for the first time might seem hard, but it’s really simple, especially if you have the right tape, like the ZUEXT skateboard grip tape. What makes this a great choice for beginners is the fact that the tape has hundreds of barely-visible perforations that allow air to escape. This will ensure that you will get a bubble-free application every time.
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The ZUEXT has a super-sticky adhesive so you don’t have to worry about the grip peeling off even if you skate in extreme weather conditions, either heat or cold. The grip tape is up to 1.5mm thick, making it extremely durable, and is made with Silicon-Carbide grit to give you the best grip that you can get. You can get an 11” x 44”, which is long enough for longboards as well, for only $15. According to the manufacturer, the tape is carefully rolled before packaging so you won’t get any creases on it during shipment.
In conclusion, the ZUEXT is a great griptape for penny boards and skateboards alike. You don’t have to worry about air bubbles when putting it on your board and the Silicon-Carbide grit provides a great grip for a long time. This grip tape is available in different sheet sizes and can also be used on stairs, pedals, or even wheelchairs.
BooTaa Skateboard Grip Tape
The BooTaa Skateboard Grip Tape is just as easy to put on your board as the ZUEXT because it also comes with hundreds of barely-visible perforations that allow air to escape. Just like the ZUEXT this too comes with a great adhesive so you don’t have to worry about it peeling off any time soon.
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The BooTaa grip tape is up to 1.5mm thick and is made with Silicon-Carbide grit to give you an excellent grip when doing tricks. The tape is also tear-proof and waterproof and, unlike many other products, comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
When putting this grip tape on your board be sure to smooth out the edges really well. There’s a small chance that the edges roll up if they are not cut and smoothed out properly.
The BooTaa is cheap as well. A 45.2″ x 10.6″ sheet costs around $11, without shipping, depending on where you purchase it from. It is carefully rolled then put in individual packages before being shippedso you don’t have to worry about it getting any creases during delivery.
All in all, the BooTaa Skateboard Grip Tape is a great choice if you’re looking for a cheap and simple tape for your deck. This too can be used on stairs, pedals, wheelchairs, and guns.
Conclusion
You can’t safely ride a skateboard or a penny board without grip tape on the deck. Fortunately, it is easy to apply to any deck, even by a beginner, especially if you use a tape with barely-visible perforations, like the ones mentioned above. The grip tape is pretty durable, so you don’t have to worry about changing it for a long time or, in some cases, ever, as long as you take care of it properly.
