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How to Clean Grip Tape Download Article Reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann
Last Updated: May 30, 2025
Download Article
Cleaning Grip Tape on a Shortboard
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Cleaning Grip Tape on a Longboard
|
Tips
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Warnings
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line. This article has been viewed 114,979 times.
A skateboard with dirty grip tape is difficult to ride and not very pretty to look at. Layers of dirt and mud can lessen traction and resistance, making it hard to land any tricks. Learning how to clean your own grip tape can save you money and your board will stay in good shape for longer. It might seem like a complicated process, but it’s actually quite easy.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Cleaning Grip Tape on a Shortboard
Download Article
1 Buy a soft wire brush. The bristles should be sturdy, but not sharp enough to tear your grip tape. You can buy a good metal brush for a few bucks at your local hardware store, or get a specialty one from your local skate shop.
Small brushes allow for precision.
A firm toothbrush will also work.
2 Brush the grip tape thoroughly. Start from one end of the board and work your way to the other, going section by section. This brings deeper dirt to the surface, and you’ll be able to sweep most of it off with your hand.
Don’t push so hard that the grip tape starts tearing.
Avoid stripping the grit.
Keep going until there are no more dirty spots.
If there are deep stains that won’t come out, you might want to replace the grip altogether.
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3 Remove leftover grime with grip gum. Most skate shops sell grip gum meant specifically for skateboards, and they’re great products for cleaning. Rub at the grip tape like you would with a pencil eraser, then brush away the residue. Doing a thorough pass with grip gum will leave your board looking brand new.
A rubber cement eraser from an art store is a cheap alternative.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Cleaning Grip Tape on a Longboard
Download Article
1 Buy a soft wire brush. Pick up a cheap metal brush with stiff bristles at your local hardware store, or buy one from your a skate shop.
Small brushes allow for precision.
A firm toothbrush will also work.
2 Fill a bowl with soapy water. Longboards are thicker and more resistant to water than shortboards, so it’s okay to use liquids on them. Mix tap water with a little bit of soap to brew up the ideal skateboard cleaning concoction. You should only need a medium-sized bowl to wash every inch of your grip tape.
Add lemon for a clean smell.
Don’t submerge your longboard.
Window cleaner can also be used to clean grip tape on longboards.
3 Dip your brush in the bowl and scrub your grip tape. Start at one end of the board and work your way to the other, taking time to really dig into the messier spots. Longboards have thick grip tape and it may take a while to loosen all of the dirt.
Rinse your brush in the bowl whenever it gets dirty.
Don’t let water pool on your board. Liquids can seep into the wood and do damage to the structure.
Pushing too hard will tear the grip and strip grit from the tape.
4 Dry the grip and board with a microfiber cloth. Lay the cloth across the top of your board and pat to soak up moisture. Then fold the cloth and press against the grip tape until the tape is mostly dry.
Make sure the bottom wood is also dry.
Don’t use paper towels, as that will break apart and make a huge mess.
Grip tape might start to peel if it’s not dried thoroughly.
5 Allow your board to dry for at least three hours. Riding a wet or damp skateboard can have negative effects. If, by chance, water got into the wood of your longboard, riding it might bend or warp the whole thing. Then it might not roll straight. Just be safe and let your board dry completely before using it.
6 Use grip gum if there is still residue. Rub it across the grip tape like you would with a regular pencil eraser, then brush away the residue left behind. Stop by your local skate shop to buy some grip gum.
You can also use a cheap rubber cement eraser from an art store.
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Expert Q&A
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Tips
Removing the wheels might make your board easier to clean.[1]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
To keep your grip tape in good condition, make sure your shoes are as clean as possible. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Grip tape should be removed and replaced on boards with extremely worn grit or torn edges. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Don’t use water or window cleaner on shortboards. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
Cleaning Grip Tape on a Shortboard
Grip gum or rubber cement eraser
Soft wire brush
Cleaning Grip Tape on a Longboard
Bowl or bucket
Water
Soft wire brush
Microfiber cloth
Grip gum or rubber cement eraser
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Reviewed by: Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann House Cleaning Professionals This article was reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line. This article has been viewed 114,979 times. 59 votes - 68% Co-authors: 4Updated: May 30, 2025 Views: 114,979 Categories: Skateboards and GearArticle SummaryX
To clean the grip tape on a shortboard, use a soft wire brush with sturdy bristles to get rid of any dirt. Start at one end of your board and work your way down. Avoid pressing down too hard so you don’t risk rubbing off the grip. If there’s any leftover grime on your grip tape, rub grip gum across it. You can also remove the wheels from your board and lay it on a flat surface to make the process easier. To clean the grip tape on a longboard, use the same process, but dip your brush in soapy water to help break down the dirt, since longboards are more water-resistant than short boards. After cleaning it, let it dry for at least 3 hours, since riding it while it's damp can be dangerous. For more tips, including when to replace the grip tape on your skateboard, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Download Article Reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann 
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Reviewed by: Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann House Cleaning Professionals This article was reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line. This article has been viewed 114,979 times. 59 votes - 68% Co-authors: 4 Updated: May 30, 2025 Views: 114,979 Categories: Skateboards and Gear Article SummaryX
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1 Buy a soft wire brush. The bristles should be sturdy, but not sharp enough to tear your grip tape. You can buy a good metal brush for a few bucks at your local hardware store, or get a specialty one from your local skate shop. 
2 Brush the grip tape thoroughly. Start from one end of the board and work your way to the other, going section by section. This brings deeper dirt to the surface, and you’ll be able to sweep most of it off with your hand. 
3 Remove leftover grime with grip gum. Most skate shops sell grip gum meant specifically for skateboards, and they’re great products for cleaning. Rub at the grip tape like you would with a pencil eraser, then brush away the residue. Doing a thorough pass with grip gum will leave your board looking brand new. 
1 Buy a soft wire brush. Pick up a cheap metal brush with stiff bristles at your local hardware store, or buy one from your a skate shop. 
2 Fill a bowl with soapy water. Longboards are thicker and more resistant to water than shortboards, so it’s okay to use liquids on them. Mix tap water with a little bit of soap to brew up the ideal skateboard cleaning concoction. You should only need a medium-sized bowl to wash every inch of your grip tape. 
3 Dip your brush in the bowl and scrub your grip tape. Start at one end of the board and work your way to the other, taking time to really dig into the messier spots. Longboards have thick grip tape and it may take a while to loosen all of the dirt. 
4 Dry the grip and board with a microfiber cloth. Lay the cloth across the top of your board and pat to soak up moisture. Then fold the cloth and press against the grip tape until the tape is mostly dry. 
5 Allow your board to dry for at least three hours. Riding a wet or damp skateboard can have negative effects. If, by chance, water got into the wood of your longboard, riding it might bend or warp the whole thing. Then it might not roll straight. Just be safe and let your board dry completely before using it. 
6 Use grip gum if there is still residue. Rub it across the grip tape like you would with a regular pencil eraser, then brush away the residue left behind. Stop by your local skate shop to buy some grip gum. 
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