How to Make a Cheap Skateboard Look Good

Skateboarders often opt out of purchasing the expensive name brand skate decks and instead buy a blank deck without graphics. Skaters like to customize their setups with stickers and paint jobs to create their own customized skateboard. Making a cheap skateboard look good can range from changing out the wheels and grip tape to adding your own painted designs with paint pens or spray paint. Buying a cheap skateboard, which generally has the same quality of wood and glue as the more expensive options, allows the skater to save money for the customization of his setup.

Things You'll Need

  • Grip tape
  • Utility Knife
  • Wheels
  • Trucks
  • Gel pens
  • Spray paint
  • Stickers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a sheet of colored grip tape and apply it to the top of the cheap skateboard deck. Cut off the excess grip tape with a utility knife.

    • 2

      Buy a set of four brightly colored wheels to serve as a replacement for your old wheels. Invest in a set of trucks with a unique design or colorful graphic pattern.

    • 3

      Draw pictures or phrases on the top of the sandpaper-like grip tape with the paint pens. Cut out illustrations from a piece of cardboard to create homemade stencils. Place the stencil on the grip tape and spray the paint in the cut out area to create professional looking prints.

    • 4

      Purchase stickers from your favorite skateboard brands or your favorite bands. Place the stickers on the bottom of the cheap skateboard deck in areas that won't get scratched.

    • 5

      These simple steps can turn a cheap skateboard into your own customized setup.