Removing Skateboard Wheel Bites

A lot of things can cause skateboard wheels to bite into the bottom of the deck, including loose trucks and worn bushings, or simply hard, fast riding. Severe wheel bite usually causes a sudden stop, resulting in damage to your body. Mild wheel bite can go almost unnoticed for a long time, resulting in damage to your board. Rub marks or burns can be ignored or removed with fine steel wool. Deep grooves should be repaired to prevent moisture from getting into the lamination and possibly weakening the deck.

Things You'll Need

  • Solid work surface
  • Old newspaper
  • Screwdriver or Allen wrench
  • Skate tool or ratchet wrench set
  • Masking tape (optional)
  • Sandpaper in various grits
  • Epoxy wood filler
  • Plastic putty knife
  • Sanding block
  • Enamel paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the skateboard on a solid work surface protected with old newspaper. Remove the trucks using a screwdriver or Allen wrench and a skate tool or ratchet wrench. Set the trucks aside in a safe place.

    • 2

      Position the skateboard deck grip-side down on the newspaper. Use masking tape to protect any graphics in the area of the wheel bites if desired. Sand the wheel bites lightly with medium-grit sandpaper to clean dirt from the grooves. Blow away the dust.

    • 3

      Mix up enough epoxy wood filler to fill the wheel bites. Spread the filler with a disposable putty knife, forcing the material down into the grooves. Mound the filler slightly over the grooves to counteract any shrinkage. Allow the putty to dry for the time recommended by the manufacturer.

    • 4

      Attach a piece of medium-grit sandpaper to a sanding block. Sand the bulk of the filler down until it is almost flush. Switch to fine sandpaper and smooth the repair so that it is even with the deck. Remove any masking tape and blow away the dust.

    • 5

      Touch up the wheel bites with enamel paint to seal the filler. Color match the surrounding graphics if desired, or create your own pattern to hide the repair. Reinstall the trucks once the paint has dried.