Everything you need to know about skate skin

A skateboard consists of several parts and a flute is always an integral part of it. This product is an abrasive coating of the board that provides it with good adhesion to the sole of a skating person's shoe. And also this element is called sandpaper or emery. Let's consider all the features of the operation of the product.

A grip tape is an adhesive-backed sandpaper. Thanks to this coating, the skater feels more confident on the board, so tricks and jumps are easier for him. Previously, the skin performed exclusively practical functions, now this item is able to emphasize the style of its owner.

If earlier grips were offered only in black and gray colors in the form of sheets, now the assortment includes multi-colored and transparent options, as well as products with bright prints and illustrations, there are even samples specially tailored in shape for specific models. In addition, it is not necessary now to take real emery, from which the soles of shoes are quickly erased, since non-abrasive grips made of rubber are now on sale. These products have bumps on the surface, similar to those seen on ping-pong rackets. Boards with such a coating are easy to clean after riding - you just need to wipe the rubber with a damp cloth.

The skins can be selected clearly according to the size of the board, but please note that these sizes may vary in foreign and domestic stores. Classic size fits all skateboards and cruisers. The product is offered both separately and in a set of three or more - usually this set is cheaper. Often, the product is presented as a bonus when buying a skateboard.

If we talk about manufacturers, then skins from the company are more popular. Jessup Grip Tape and Mob Grip. Pay attention to the design. It must be applied to the substrate.

Some skateboarders buy plain blank skins and customize them to their liking.

Usually, emery is applied to the board of a new skateboard, but sometimes the old product loses its anti-slip properties and the grip is no longer sufficient for performing tricks. In this case, you need to stick on a new skin. Some professionals renew the product every 2-3 months. For the sticker, prepare:

• new skin;
• two heavy books;
• utility knife or scissors;
• file or sharpening stone;
• drill or screwdriver.

The process is as follows.

1. Spread out the new product. To prevent it from curling up, fix the edges with two books or other objects.
2. If the skin is renewed, then remove the old coating from the skate... Sand the surface of the board - it should be perfectly clean.
3. Place the new skin along the entire length of the board and glue, smoothing and moving from the center to the edges. This technology will prevent air from entering between the deck and the emery. Some skaters lay a sheet of paper on a rough surface to reduce friction and smooth over it.
4. Cut off the excess parts. To do this, first mark the contour with a file and cut along the contour. Without a rough outline, you can accidentally cut off a lot of excess material, and in general, the work will turn out to be careless.
5. Drill a hole for the suspension bolts. If it was not removed in advance, then it is allowed to glue emery from above - this will not affect the quality of adhesion.

If there are no lumps of dirt on the grip tape after use and it continues to hold its leg well, then it is better to refuse washing. When riding in puddles, it is recommended to clean immediately so that the dirt does not have time to dry out and bite into the coating.

There are several ways to clean the skin. Most often, skaters use spray guns to spray dirty areas. This is a more gentle method than, for example, soaking or washing under the tap - these measures can damage the board material (plywood). As soon as water gets on a dirty place, it must be removed with a soft sponge. After the procedure, wipe the material thoroughly with a dry towel.

You can also dry the skin. A stiff plastic bristle brush is suitable for this. This is an even less aggressive method, albeit more laborious. The dirty area is cleaned with a dry brush, but in some cases it can be moistened. After cleansing the skin from dirt, it is recommended to grease the board with a special agent that is sold in sports stores.

It is easy to clean the rubber from dirt with a soft cloth soaked in water. And then wipe with a dry cloth. Business for a few minutes. And the shoes don't wear out.

For information on how to glue the skin on a skateboard, see the video.