How to Customize Longboards

Longboarding is a sub-category of skateboarding that is more closely related to surfing. As the name suggests, the boards are significantly longer than street or ramp boards, and they generally lack the concave shape. They're narrower and use much larger, softer wheels. They're used for cruising and high-speed runs, but not aerial skating, as jumps and grinds are practically impossible to execute on the larger board. Because they have less potential to be scratched and scuffed, they're often elaborately decorated and painted.

Things You'll Need

  • Craft knife
  • Acrylic paint
  • Brushes
  • Clear lacquer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw some geometric patterns on the grip tape on the top surface. Carefully cut around them using the craft knife. Use a template and ruler if necessary as the rough, bumpy surface of the grip tape can make it difficult to keep the blade moving in a perfectly straight line. Once you've cut out a complete shape, peel back the edge using the point of the blade. You can remove areas of tape to create patterns and slogans, just be sure to leave enough to keep the surface nice and tactile.

    • 2

      Paint the underside of the board using the Acrylic paints. Acrylics are hard-wearing, bright and fast-drying, ideal for painting onto wood surfaces. Once your designs are dry, paint over them with the lacquer. Even if you only paint a small design, lacquer the whole underside of the board to ensure an even finish. Apply a coat, allow it to dry, then repeat. Three to four coats will create a thick barrier to protect your custom paint job, and provide a rich sheen.

    • 3

      Install some brightly colored wheels to set off your custom paint job. The soft "Krypton" rubber wheels used for longboarding are available in a vast selection of colors. They can be clear, translucent or bright neon. A common practice among creative skaters is for a group of four friends to buy a different set of wheels each, then trade among themselves so everyone has four different colors on their board.