How to Apply Slip Tape to a Skateboard

Slip tape is a protective, slippery layer of material that is placed on the bottom of your skateboard over the graphics. Slip tape helps to prevent wearing on the bottom of the skateboard while making it easier to slide and perform certain tricks like boardslides, noseslides, and bluntslides. Slip tape is easy for anyone with a basic tool set to install, and will more than pay for itself by protecting your deck, allowing you to shred longer without needing a replacement.

Things You'll Need

  • 8mm socket and wrench
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Slip-tape
  • X-Acto knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hold the sellf-locking nuts on the underside of the trucks in place using an 8mm socket and wrench. Remove the mounting screws with a Phillips screwdriver. There are four screws and nuts on each truck. Remove them all to remove the trucks from the board.

    • 2

      Peel off the adhesive backing of the slip tape. Line the tape up on the bottom of the board and press down to stick it in place. Using your hands, work out any air bubbles that form underneath the slip tape.

    • 3

      Using an X-Acto or similar knife, cut around the edges of the deck to get rid of the excess slip tape sitting at each corner.

    • 4

      Set your trucks in place over the slip tape and slide the mounting bolts in place through the other side of the deck. Affix a self-locking nut to each of the mounting bolts.

    • 5

      Tighten the mounting bolts to hold the trucks firmly in place by using a Phillips screwdriver and 8mm socket and wrench.