When should you replace your skateboard deck? Considering the various factors that determine when you should replace your skateboard deck, it’s difficult to give specific guidelines.
However if cracks or chips appear in any area of safety concern on an otherwise intact board then this could be a sign for replacement-especially as these imperfections grow increasingly deeper over time without regular maintenance like waxing them away.
I used to wait until my deck broke in half before I could afford a new one. The scars on the old boards remind me of all those times that it was broken, and since they’re so close together at this point anyway.
I’m not sure what you would call them? Scars from when someone picked your heel for lunch maybe?? Anyways it hurts.
Skateboard decks don’t last forever; eventually we have gotta admit our relationship is over with these things: there always seems like about 3 months (give or take) after ours does too-and boy do their replacements suck compared even just 10 years ago.
How to maintain your skateboard deck?
Maintaining your skateboard deck can be done by using a variety of products depending on the type of damage, such as waxing the surface to help with grip and stability.
It’s important to clean your board periodically. You’ll want to use warm water and mild soap or dishwashing liquid, then dry thoroughly with a towel. It’s good to take off all bearings and lubricate them every six months, replace bushings as needed, inspect hardware for signs of rust or corrosion; tighten bolts if necessary (especially kingpin nuts), and check fasteners like trucks and wheels where they attach to the deck for correct fit. Lubricating axles has been shown in studies done at MIT Calspan labs to prevent rust.
1- Use clear grip tape to cover the edges of your board to prevent them from peeling or chipping, protect against dings and chips, and provide a grippy surface. It should be applied within 1″ of the top edge of your deck up to 2/3rds down the board. Clear grip tape is most often black in color but it can come in other colors as well.
2- Use a clean rag with this cleaner on it to wipe down your board until all dirt is removed from the surface before applying new grip tape over bits where you might have been able to see or feel.
Why do you need to replace your deck?
A deck can quickly rot, buckle, and warp if it is not treated. Some of the primary causes for this are water damage, termites or carpenter ants; fires; extreme sun exposure; scrapes or gouges in the wood surface left untreated.
Deck replacements are usually available in pressure-treated lumber with decay resistant plastic coating. This enables homeowners to get a new deck without needing to replace an entire house’s worth of lumber after just one winter season.
How to replace the deck?
The first step of a deck replacement is preparing the ground. If the old deck is still in good shape, then refinishing it with a sealant like Thompson’s Water Seal as advised by Proven Steps will be as easy as priming and painting
Choosing which type of wood to put down depends on your budget and which materials are currently readily available in stock pile stores. A cedar or pine porch will make the most sense if you live in an area where Western red cedar (WRC) is available and not too expensive. However, if you live in one of those areas where pine trees grow taller than two meters, you can go up to about six meters without any problems.
Summary:
It’s important to keep your deck in good shape so that you can enjoy the smooth ride for years and get as many tricks down smoothly. If there are any signs of wear or scratches, it may be time for an upgrade.
A new deck will respond much better when popping off big gaps and landing tail hooks with ease again but if money isn’t really a factor then consider repairing some damage first before buying another one straight away because this could save cash down the line.
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