How To Set Up Your Skateboard
The first thing you need to do when setting up your new skateboard is to make sure you have all the components you’re going to need.
Once you have all the parts you’re going to use, the next thing is to make sure you get it set up safely. We’ve made a step-by-step guide to ensure your experience is as easy and quick as possible, so you can spend less time faffing and more time skating.
How to apply griptape to your skateboard
You’ll need:
- Skateboard Deck
- Griptape
- Blade
- File
Remove all packaging and stickers from your deck; you’ll want to make sure it’s nice and clean (if it’s an older deck, make sure to remove the previous griptape- you can’t double up as it won’t stick). When you’ve got a fresh surface, grab your strip of griptape and remove the plastic backing, underneath you’ll find an adhesive surface which is what’s going to stick to your board. Pop your board on a flat surface (top side facing towards you) and hold the griptape lengthways and sticky side down over your board, making sure that it covers the entire area.
Once you’re happy with the positioning, apply pressure with your hands from the centre and move out towards the nose and tail, making sure the griptape is stuck firmly and there are no trapped air bubbles. You’ll find you have some excess tape sitting over your board, and this is where the file comes into play. Run the file around the edges of the deck, and you’ll see the outline start to take shape, do this a few times, and it’ll become clear exactly where the leftover tape is sitting.
Take your blade and make an incision in each of the four corners of your board - where the nose and tail start to kick up - as this will make it easier for you to cut smoothly. Run your blade along the edges of your board, cutting away the excess tape, and hey presto, you’ve got yourself a freshly gripped board. Use some of the discarded tape to sand down around the perimeter of the board to clean it up, and you’re all sorted.
How to set up skateboard trucks
You’ll need:
- Two trucks
- 8 bolts
- 8 nuts
- Skateboard tool
Once you’ve chosen the correct size trucks for your deck [LINK to Truck Sizing Guide], the first step is to locate the mounting holes. To do this, simply place your skateboard on a flat surface with the griptape facing upwards and use one of the bolts in your pack or a small screwdriver to poke through the four holes in each the nose and tail. Flip your skateboard so it’s sitting on its edge, push four bolts through the holes, and grab one of your trucks. Make sure the kingpin is facing into the centre of the skateboard, and slide the baseplate onto the screws. Repeat the process with the second truck and then thread the nuts onto the screws and use your tool to tighten them, securing the trucks to the underside of your deck. Make sure not to use a power tool, as you can overdo it and end up damaging your board.
How to put wheels on your skateboard
You’ll need:
- Four wheels
- 8 bearings
- Skateboard tool
Now that your trucks are mounted nice and securely, it comes time to put the wheels on. Each wheel takes two bearings, which are easiest to fit using your truck axle. Take off the axle nut and place two bearings on it, then grab your wheel and push down so one bearing slides inside (you might have to apply some pressure), then flip the wheel over and repeat the process so you have both fitted snugly inside. Once you have both inside the wheel, remove the wheel and take off one of the washers on the axle, slide the wheel back on, place the washer on top of the outer bearing, and then refit the axle nut using your skateboard tool to tighten. Leave a little bit of wiggle room so your wheels can spin freely. Do this to all four wheels, et voilà- you now have a skateboard that’s ready to ride.
