Freestyle Scooter Griptape: Choosing and Replacing

⚡ In short: griptape is self-adhesive sandpaper on a deck. Replace it when it is worn smooth and the boot slips on it; ideally, always at the beginning of the season.

Sold in sheets that are trimmed to the edge of the board after application. It lasts approximately half a year to a year, depending on the boots and riding style. The replacement takes 15–20 minutes: heat the old griptape with a hair dryer and peel it off, clean the deck of adhesive, apply the new sheet, smooth out any bubbles, trim it, and sand the edges.

Wear skate shoes with flat soles on the griptape. Soft running shoes—the grip tape wears through after a few weeks, and the shoe doesn’t hold up.

🧻 What is griptape and why does it matter?

Griptape (riders call it “grip” or “sandpaper”) is self-adhesive sandpaper stuck to the top of the deck. It does one thing: keeps the boot on the board. During a jump, tailwhip, or one-footed landing, the griptape determines whether your foot stays on the board or slips off.

Sold in sheets that are wider and longer than the board. After application, the excess is trimmed along the edge of the board; one sheet is enough for one board. Griptape is a consumable part: it gets worn down by shoes, clogged with dust, and eventually stops providing grip. Replacement is one of the cheapest and easiest scooter repairs.

The choice is simple. Grip tape for freestyle scooters differs mainly in grit and graphics. A coarser grain offers more grip but wears out shoes faster; a finer grain is gentler on shoes. For children and beginners, a standard medium coarseness is perfectly fine. You can find the selection in the maintenance and freestyle scooter parts categories.

🔁 When should you replace the grip tape?

Grip tape lasts approximately six months to a year. It depends on the shoes (a thick sole will wear it down faster), the riding style (lots of whips and landings on one foot), and whether the rider rides in wet or dusty conditions. Replace it when you see or smell this:

• The boot slips. The most reliable signal. If you slip on the board even when it’s dry, the grip tape is worn out.
• Smoothed areas. Most often under the rear foot and near the brake, where the boot flexes the most. The grain is worn down, and the surface is shiny and smooth to the touch.
• Lifting edges or holes. The grip tape is peeling away at the edges of the board or is torn. Water and dust are getting into the gap, and the adhesive is coming loose.
• Clogged grain. The griptape is grey with dust and mud, and even after brushing it clean, it doesn’t grip.

Practical recommendation: always apply new griptape at the beginning of the season, along with a full scooter inspection. It’s an inexpensive part, and the scooter handles noticeably better with a new grip. If the rider wears it out during the season, simply replace it again.

🧹 How to remove old grip tape?

The most labor-intensive part of the replacement. The old grip tape adhesive sticks firmly to aluminum, but softens with heat. You will need a hair dryer (or a heat gun on its lowest setting), a plastic or metal scraper, a cloth, and denatured alcohol or adhesive remover.

1. Heat the corner of the board with a hair dryer for 20–30 seconds. The adhesive softens and the grip tape comes loose.
2. Lift a corner with a scraper and start slowly peeling off the grip tape. Pull low across the board, not straight up; this prevents the paper from tearing.
3. Keep heating continuously ahead of the area you are peeling off. Where the grip tape is still holding, heat it some more instead of pulling hard.
4. Scrape off the paper residue with a scraper. When using a metal scraper, be careful not to damage the board’s anodized surface; scrape with the blade flat.
5. Remove any remaining adhesive. Dampen a cloth with methylated spirits or adhesive remover and dissolve the residue. It may take two or three rounds. The board should feel smooth to the touch, with no sticky spots.
6. Degrease the board with a clean cloth and alcohol, then let it dry. New grip tape won’t stick to a greasy or dusty board.

If you're applying griptape to a brand-new deck, you can skip this step—just wipe off any dust and degrease the deck with rubbing alcohol.

🛠️ How to apply new grip tape step by step?

You’ll need a new sheet of grip tape, a utility knife with a new blade, a file (or another metal object with an edge, such as an Allen key or screwdriver), and a clean deck. Work at a desk, not on your lap.

1. Clean and degrease the board. With alcohol and a clean cloth, then let it dry. The one step you can’t skip; glue residue and dust are why griptape starts peeling at the edges after a week.
2. Measure out the sheet. Place it dry on the board, with the protective paper still attached. It should extend at least one centimeter on all sides. Think about where the griptape should end: usually from the board’s neck (at the head tube) to the brake. The brake and Flex Fender remain without grip tape.
3. Peel off part of the protective paper at one end (about 5 cm), leaving the rest in place for now. Do not touch the adhesive surfaces with your fingers.
4. Apply the grip tape to the board with the peeled end, align it, and press it down. Then gradually peel off the protective paper and smooth the griptape from the center toward the edges. Work in small sections, not the entire sheet at once.
5. Squeeze out the bubbles. Use your palm or a cloth to wipe from the center outward. Pierce any remaining bubble with a pin and squeeze out the air. Do not try to peel off the grip tape and reapply it; it won’t stick as well the second time.
6. File the edge of the board. Place the file flat on the grip tape and run it all the way around the edge of the board. The edge of the grain is worn down, revealing a white outline of the board. It is then cut precisely according to it.
7. Trim the excess. Using a utility knife, cut along the white outline, keeping the blade slightly tilted toward the board. Cut in a single pass wherever possible. Keep the knife away from the hand holding the board.
8. Sand the edge. Run the file or the edge of an Allen key around the entire perimeter once more. The edge will be smoothed, adhered to the edge of the board, and will not lift. Trim smaller pieces around the neck of the board and near the brake using the tip of a knife.
9. Let the griptape settle. The adhesive bonds best in warm conditions and under pressure. A few hours in the room before the first ride is enough.

⚠️ Most Common Mistakes When Replacing Griptape

❓ FAQ