If you’re a skateboarder, then you know how important stickers are. They’re not only a way to show off your skills, but they also help protect the deck from abuse. Unfortunately, they can also be easy to damage. Here are a few tips on how to protect stickers on skateboard.
The stickers on a skateboard are important for a few reasons. First, they help protect the deck from abuse. Second, they’re a way to show off your skills. And finally, they can be easy to damage. That’s why it’s important to protect them.
How to Protect Stickers on Skateboard Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Decide
There are a few options for how to protect stickers on skateboard. You can purchase a clear protective grip tape that has been pre-cut for the shape of your deck, or you could have a local print shop cut the grip tape for you. In addition, some companies make clear stickers that you can place over the top of your old sticker to protect it from damage.
Step 2: Purchase the Materials that You May Need
You will need to buy materials for this how-to tutorial, including a Skateboard (obviously), sandpaper in three different grits, and a can of Krylon Matte Finish. Other possible materials that could be purchased include wax paper and tape. I didn’t use these because I did not have them on hand. However, I recommend using them if you have them because they will help out a lot.
Step 3: Sand Down the Grip Tape
The first thing that needs to be taken care of is how rough the grip tape is. the rougher the grip tape, the more likely it will be for your sticker to wrinkle up and/or peel up. So it would help if you sanded down the grip tape. you can do this by using either a piece of sandpaper (the rougher, the better) or even your hands. i recommend using both because it is much more effective that way. take your time doing this step and make sure you don’t damage anything else other than how rough the grip tape is.
Step 4: Sand the Skateboard With the Coarse Grit Sandpaper
In this how-to tutorial, I decided to practice on an old board that wasn’t being used anymore. This is an important step, so make sure to take your time with it. All you need to do is place the board on a piece of wood in which you can grip it in place with your foot. Once that is down, take your sandpaper and secure it in one hand (preferably the one that does not require you to balance yourself). Then take the sandpaper at about a 45-degree angle and start rubbing the sandpaper on the board with how rough you want it to be.
You can do this step as long as you wish, but if you are using different grits of sandpaper, I recommend only moving up to each next grit of sandpaper once you have finished with the previous one. Again, I would recommend going in a circular motion to help prevent the sticker from being ripped off of the skateboard.
Step 5: Remove the Sticker With A Knife or Scraper
After all of the paper is completely removed, begin removing as much as possible any leftover residue on the top of your board with a knife or scraper. Again, this is something that you will need to take your time with. If done incorrectly, you could damage the board or leave any leftover residue on it, so I recommend using a scraper because they can be found at any hardware store for around $1. It is the easier method of the two.
Step 6: Sand Your Board with The Medium Grit Sandpaper
It is important to sand with medium-grit sandpaper so that the final product comes out smooth and clean-looking. I would recommend doing this step how you did the first step of sanding with coarse-grit sandpaper. This will ensure that your board is smooth enough to make the grip tape not show through at all. Also, be sure to brush off all of the residues from your board after you are done sanding it.
Step 7: Reapply Adhesive Using a Sponge Applicator
This how-to tutorial assumes that you have already applied your new or old graphic design to the top of your skateboard. If you have not, you can read how to do that here.
First, take your spray adhesive and apply it to your board with a sponge applicator. Then wait how long it says on the instructions before using your sticker onto the sprayed side of the skateboard. How much time do you have before the adhesive starts to set up when you are doing this step? Then, to apply the sealant, simply use a sponge applicator that can be found at any hardware store.
Step 8: Spray the Sealant on Your Board
After applying the adhesive, spray a light coat of how-to matte sealer over the entire sticker once again with your can of the how-to matte finish. Again, remember to hold 15 inches away from the surface to get the best results. If the spray is applied too close, it could leave a white residue on your new how-to matte finish board.
To avoid this, you want to find a balance between how far away you are holding it and how long you let it sit on the board before scraping it off with a razor blade. Then let it dry how long the can says to get a nice matte finish.
Step 9: Remove the Sticker From Underneath
A Skateboard sticker is a protective measure that prevents scratches and cracks to the board. Skateboards are susceptible to damage, so it does not hurt to add additional protection against damage, such as how you can protect stickers on skateboards. When you get new decks in the future, you can slap them on and not worry about how the board will look.
Step 10: Enjoy!
Once you have applied all the stickers, it’s time to enjoy your new skateboard. Please go out and have some fun with your friends, and show them your new deck! Be sure to post pictures of your skateboard on social media so that everyone can see how cool it looks. If you want to know more about how to protect stickers on skateboard, keep reading.
Frequently Asked Question
How Do You Keep Your Skateboard Stickers?
There are a few ways that you can protect your skateboard stickers. One way is to apply a top coat of varnish or sealant to the stickers after applying them to your skateboard. This will help to protect them from scratches and fading. Another way to protect your stickers is to keep them out of direct sunlight, as the UV rays can fade and damage them. You can also keep them away from extreme temperatures, as both high and low temperatures can cause the adhesive on the stickers to weaken and eventually fall off.
Is It Safe to Put Stickers on A Skateboard?
There is no definitive answer as to whether or not it is safe to put stickers on a skateboard. Some people believe that the stickers’ adhesive can damage the skateboard’s surface, while others believe that the stickers can protect the board from scratches and fading. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not you want to put stickers on your skateboard.
If you decide to use stickers, be sure to apply a top coat of varnish or sealant to protect them from scratches and fading. It would help if you kept them out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
How Do I Protect My Skateboard Graphics?
If you want to protect your skateboard graphics, you can apply a top coat of varnish or sealant to the stickers after applying them to your skateboard. This will help to protect them from scratches and fading. Another way to protect your graphics is to keep them out of direct sunlight, as the UV rays can fade and damage them. You can also keep them away from extreme temperatures, as both high and low temperatures can cause the adhesive on the stickers to weaken and eventually fall off.
What Do You Use to Seal Paint on A Skateboard?
There are a few ways that you can protect your skateboard stickers. One way is to apply a top coat of varnish or sealant to the stickers after applying them to your skateboard. This will help to protect them from scratches and fading. Another way to protect your stickers is to keep them out of direct sunlight, as the UV rays can fade and damage them. You can also keep them away from extreme temperatures, as both high and low temperatures can cause the adhesive on the stickers to weaken and eventually fall off.
Can You Put Stickers on Your Grip Tape?
There is no definitive answer as to whether or not it is safe to put stickers on a skateboard. Some people believe that the stickers’ adhesive can damage the skateboard’s surface, while others believe that the stickers can protect the board from scratches and fading. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not you want to put stickers on your skateboard.
If you do decide to use stickers, be sure to apply a top coat of varnish or sealant to protect them from scratches and fading. You should also keep them out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Conclusion
So there you have it, our top tips for how to protect stickers on skateboards. By following these simple steps, your stickers will stay looking good and perform well for longer. Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below!
You may also read: How to Put Stickers on Skateboard