Remove Skateboard & Longboard Grip Tape

Remove ANY Grip Tape easily on street decks, longboards, Penny boards, and scooters. Go to ratvision.com/ for more info.
For great prices on Longboard and Skateboard equipment we recommend checking out
stokedskateboards.com/
Most skaters think that removing grip tape is a difficult task, and some believe it can take about an hour to do. The truth is, grip tape can be removed in less than 5 minutes.
Tools you need:
1. Razor blade
2. Blow/hair dryer.
Steps for removing skateboard/longboard grip tape on a deck:
1. With a hair drier warm up an area roughly 10 inches (25 cm) along the edge or rail of the deck. This will loosen the adhesive bond between the deck and the grip tape.
2. Use a razor blade to lift up the edge of the grip tape off of the deck. What this does is keep the grip tape from snagging and tearing as you peal it off. You only need to go in about an inch along the rail.
3. After lifting up the grip tape around the edge warm up the entire sheet of grip tape for about 1-2 minutes.
4. Grab one end of the grip tape at the nose or tail of the deck and start to slowly peel it off. Make sure the grip tape does not start to separate. What can happen is the film layer of the grip tape can get stuck on the deck while the top grit layer peals off.
Watch for this separation and snagging and/or tearing caused by the truck mounting holes.
5. Using a razor blade scrape away tiny pieces of grip tape left behind, and any small raised pieces of wood from the deck. This will help you to cut a new sheet of grip tape that is applied afterwards.
6. Any of the clear/whitish adhesive left on the deck can easily be gripped over. It will not effect the feel or adhesion from a new piece of grip tape.
For any questions about this video or anything skateboard related send us a message.

[@GaryMarsh77]

I just finished doing this on my own for the first time, and it worked perfectly! Great stuff.

[@miguelsuarez3432]

Dude that was awesome! I was just thinking about removing my cousins grip tape off of his board but now I found this video that is really easy! Thank you so much for posting this!

[@RatVision]

Grip tape typically lasts for the life of the deck. Some people replace grip when it loses traction from too much dirt and crud. So, there is no matter of when, it's just if you want it or need it. It's really your call.

[@angelodeliola6293]

Hey dude, I love you for showing me this video. I can finally apply new grip-tape to my board.

[@ristyp]

lol, my moms hair dryer broke a couple of days ago... -.-

[@Alex-sh7qw]

darn

[@hankshraderovic]

is it still broken? 👁️👄👁️

[@sircamsalot5554]

No update?

[@araqdutwo8104]

It's been 9 years any update?

[@gerardbosma]

Its been 10 years. Any update my dude?

[@RatVision]

This all depends on the grip tape brand and the surface of the deck. Sometimes the adhesive will get left on the deck and sometimes it won't. It doesn't matter if you use heat or not, it just happens either way. After removing grip tape, it is totally ok to put new grip tape right over the adhesive left behind from the old grip tape. It will not effect the new grip tape at all.

[@kaiherrell8381]

Do the trucks have to be off while removing the grip tape?

[@greasenob4821]

@@kaiherrell8381 yes

[@RatVision]

Yes. Citrus cleaner will remove the adhesive left behind. However, if you are going to put new grip tape on, you can put new grip right over it and it won't effect anything at all.

[@SpankPatrol]

I feel the exact same way about your videos! You've really managed to make them thoroughly interesting. Also, they're easy to follow and you're a great instructor. Going to pick up skateboarding now and it's so amazing to have all this knowledge from the very start. Love it. Keep it up! Big thanks from Sweden! :)

[@RatVision]

I think it's amazing that you've had a board from K-mart for 15 years. Glad this helped though.

[@micalith1]

great vid. Very informative and well explained. Thanks

[@alanflores755]

I tried your method and it actually worked you rock you're the best KZbinr I've ever watched

[@ricardomontelongo5450]

I Remember Watching This Channel When I Was 13 Now I’m 19. Crazy How Much Life Changes

[@jackbaradog]

Do you have to use a razor blade or does something like a x-acto or retractable knife work just as well?

[@CaringDolphin37]

I used a razor blade, I think it might be easier with an exacto blade since there is a handle to hold on to.

[@thesatedrose9678]

all I used was a knife last night and it works :)

[@pizzamangargatuloth4804]

This is awesome. Your videos are great thank you!

[@RatVision]

Thank you

[@moneshdevireddy9752]

Thanks so much I did this to remove my grip tape and put new grip tape on my board after my local skate shop said they wouldn't do it. It took just a little over an hour for the whole process. Sure it wasn't perfect, but it was extremely good especially for my first time!

[@RatVision]

Yes it can effect how you pop or ollie. The deck gets "softer" on the tail as it becomes easier to flex. This causes less pop.

[@yung_legna]

I got new grip tape. Accidentally stepped on tar. Got stuck for like a second. Kept pushing. Didn't notice I ended up wit tar all over the middle of the board.

[@oc800.]

Yung Lil Legna why the fuck is there tar in the middle of the road where you life

[@sumswaggaming]

I've been there, I cruised right through a road that was freshly done, that board got ruined.b

[@pianoandeden]

nice

[@corbettrandell1694]

i removed the grip without going around the sides, i just did the blade under the nose/tail then i pulled the rest of the way

[@memes5life776]

Corbett Randell me too

[@BoulderBoulder_]

I didnt even heat it...

[@becca8185]

i guess it really depends on how they apply the grip tape in the first place

[@django8968]

I dunno what'd do without this dude

[@RatVision]

You can scrape the adhesive off with a blade like we showed in the video or use some rubbing alcohol to remove the adhesive and dirt but that can get messy.

[@TheAjgang]

How do you remove the stickyness of the grip tape?

[@nicmunro]

cum

[@Lazy_Prophet]

You dont, doesn't matter since you'll be putting new grip over it.

[@dylanmaglio]

Lazy Prophet it does if you wanna do a custom paint job or design on the board before applying let’s say clear grip tape

[@Keilincastellon]

Dylan Maglio use goo gone 🤷‍♀️

[@mtbriding5471]

Nic M.T lmoa

[@dangillooly594]

I did this and it took about an hour and a half to remove the grip

[@chrisdavenportshoots7479]

...

[@Katy-bb2cd]

Same

[@pianoandeden]

took me 2💀

[@pianoandeden]

needed another person to help me

[@RatVision]

Thanks for the awesome comment. We really appreciate it. Makes creating these videos worth it. If you any questions at all send us a message through our channel.

[@jb-ir1mb]

worked like a charm thank you. very useful. i only had to heat up to get it loose. as i pulled it off i just kept the dryer in one hand and kept pulling with the other. it came off super easy

[@JoseRodriguez-tu1hn]

Can't wait to put some Grizzly tie dye grip tape on my deck! Thanks man, I appreciate this video.

[@richierich8986]

Dude that's gonna look sick,I have mental pizza griptape on a superior board but I'm hoping to get that griptape for my backup board.

[@uninja7650]

Get some Mob Tie Dye griptape, best grip and it looks sick

[@JoseRodriguez-tu1hn]

uninja7650 I saw some the other day in City Beach. They also have really sick marijuana grip tape too.

[@2011rubik]

+José Rodriguez does anyone here know if the plastic razors grizzly sells can be used to take off the griptape?

[@homeschoolcrewe2367]

literery I just went out and got grizzly tie die grip tape :roast my spelling please

[@lakislak1392]

nice thanks

[@RatVision]

Awesome. Thanks. Out of curiosity, why did you watch them and how did you come across them.

[@infalaxys6668]

I am making my first customized board soon! So excited. Hopefully gonna try to sell them soon

[@christianmichel2216]

can we use a knife if we dont gave a blade

[@RatVision]

You'll ruin the knife blade.

[@leonj1844]

+Rat Vision - Skateboard Tech PLS MAKE MORE VIDEOS

[@smogxzy7022]

This man makes it look easy. My skin on my fingers is fricken peeling

[@RatVision]

Yes. This does work for longboards. Same exact grip tape as a short street board.

[@FreeFunnyCrap]

HOLY CRAP, i have done this other ways and yours was the most easy one!!! Thanks :D

[@howiboy]

good job captain america

[@dominicshipp6408]

The glue stayed thanks for screwing my deck up

[@YesterdaysHeadlines]

Doing this right now and so far working like a charm, thanks for making theses vids! Subscribed!

[@StrayedThermidor]

This channel is saving skateboarding.

[@jakebogdanyi8247]

how do I clean my BUTT please help IT IS ALWAYS ICHY and very SMEELY also very slimy

[@hostile_ghost9688]

Hmmm maybe try top piss helps me al the time

[@mad_mobmusic]

Wipe better

[@--Paws--]

Wet wipes

[@davidlowe9297]

peepee

[@BertoBoyd]

Successfully removed the old grip from my Natas after watching this. It’s like brand new. Thanks guys!!🤟🏼

[@theclassicmanila-style8435]

Man nice video, keep the look dude, you remind me of the late 90s and early 2000s skateboarding scene

[@RatVision]

Deoending on the deck surface sometimes the grip will come off leaving no adhesive left behind, but other decks love the adhesive ad it doesn't come off. You can apply your new grip tape right over it. The adhesive will not affect the new grip tape and you won't notice it at all. It is totally OK.

[@RatVision]

You are very welcome! Thank you for the very nice comment. We do have a lot of subscribers for only 17 videos. We will be posting a lot more videos in the near future. We are wrapping up another project that shut down all the video production. New videos will be posted this Summer.

[@rattopo1ka]

Thanks a lot! It took me around 45 minutes total to switch grip tape from a complete board. I figured best way to really test mob grip is by using it on a fresh enough board I'm already perfectly comfortable and familiar with and previously had more Jessup type smoother grain grip.

[@mg78am]

Thank you so much, you just saved me 2 hours of trying to do this without a hair dryer....

[@RatVision]

Is it just the sticky adhesive or is it actually the thin vinyl layer that is dark gray?

[@RatVision]

In the video, the deck surface that you see is orange stained wood. The wood veneer was dipped in orange die. Most decks have a colored veneer on top.

[@ItsMatYo]

I actually only used the hair drier on one end, and once I got some of the grip up, I just started pulling and it worked like charm. THANKS!

[@THURNISJACKSON]

This channel is so AWESOME!!

[@MattMalam2424]

Used this method and it worked pretty well! Very happy with the result

[@johnderickvargas4189]

I like this channel,because he reply in our questions...

[@lm23333]

this actually worked really well, thanks!

[@RatVision]

Still working on it. Been super busy with the new website, and these new videos. We have one more video to shoot in a week, and then it's full dedication on bushings. It will be a long video explaining everything.

[@RatVision]

Yes. Prospect grip only has holes throughout the sheet.

[@streetbeers6536]

I did this yesterday, It didn't take long but it was a lot of effort, thanks for some tips

[@RatVision]

Usually if it's a struggle it's because the grip tape didn't get hot enough. Glad it worked out tho.

[@RatVision]

I think we have this grip laying around somewhere. If I remember right it's pretty standard grip tape. Like most brands in the skate industry, they are probably not making their own stuff. So, they most likely got it from a manufacturer that makes "abrasive non-slip tape". Your grip tape probably wore down because of what you are doing, but there is always the possibility that the grip tape is cheap crap too.

[@Taintain101]

I want to remove a section of my griptape for dancing, would you recommend citrus cleaner to remove the residue in this case too?

[@jenessa1670]

any tips on spray painting the board?

[@RatVision]

What if something spilled on a new board, or the deck is still in good shape? Should everyone buy a new board?

[@RatVision]

Yes, but in the middle of the fixing a chip video. People were asking us all the time how to do it. So removing grip needed it's own video. We're going to do the same thing with the bearing cleaning kit.

[@RatVision]

It's on the list of video to make. The truth is they all work, but some people like more or less grip, so it becomes personal to everyone. There is no "best" grip tape for that reason. What we will show is the different types, and how they work so people can choose the grip tape that has the properties they want. So we'll show the differences between MOB, Jessup, Iron Horse, Black Magic, etc. Silicon carbide vs. Aluminum oxide grit. Some info is on our site @ ratvisionDOTcom

[@RatVision]

This will be in our new video that we are currently working on. It will explain everything you could ever want to know about bushings.

[@fhhu3167]

This guy is way ahead of his time

[@skivvy100]

Thanks for the great video. I used this method to remove the grip from my micro kickboard scooter and it was so easy.

[@RatVision]

Depends on where you live. Grip in the USA is about $5-7.

[@zakariaabderrahmanesadelao3048]

thank you clearest tutorial ever made

[@RatVision]

You may not notice a difference at all, but your bearings might. Washers act as a bushing between the axle nut and the hanger bearing stop. They also are used for loads and pressure applied by the axle nut. So they help with proper bearing functionality. In the end they can make bearings more efficient and last longer.

[@RatVision]

Yes you do need to remove it. Sorry for the late reply. Have any questions?

[@jenessa1670]

your video on how to take off and put on grip tape helped alot!

[@RatVision]

That's really a matter of opinion. They all work. We are going to do a video on grip tape talking about how they are different from each other. Then when people learn how they work they can choose the grip tape that has the properties they want. Basically, the difference is grit material, grit size, and grit amount. MOB has smaller grit size than Jessup, and the grit is closer together too. So it feels different. If you want to learn more send us a message thru our channel.

[@purpledanklady5905]

This was really easy. Thanks man!

[@RatVision]

Yes. Be careful with the heat.

[@joshfalls2870]

your videos are amazing and so helpful your content is amazing and you diserve more views and subscribers thankyou and please keep making great videos , thankyou from me and im sure ALOT more people

[@RatVision]

In another video. We redid it since a lot of people were asking.

[@RatVision]

Don't worry about. The adhesive is usually always left on the board. All you do is put your new sheet of grip tape over it. The adhesive does not effect the new sheet.

[@LeafTreez]

I'm so glad this actually worked

[@mikeveras9619]

Can you make a video on what are the best griptapes out there?

[@RatVision]

Thank you

[@minecraftyoutuber7654]

thank you. my grip got water on it and ive had an extra sheet for a while. this was helpful

[@arielvillaverde8813]

I don’t see a lot of peeling of the deck paint. Would a Powell logo be ripped right off if the tape was applied over-top the logo? Nice video btw!

[@RatVision]

We just tested bushing and will soon be posting info on our website- RatVision(dot)com. Is there anything specific you'd like to know?

[@Tomtheacidfox]

Worked perfectly, thanks a bunch.

[@RatVision]

That might be it the reason. How small?

[@tasmanager3530]

I have a board with the sandblasted clear grip tape but I want it to come off so I can replace it. Should I just sand it off the board or is there a better way to do it?

[@RatVision]

If it's just thin carpet fibers you can grip right over it. New grip should stick on just fine. Some adhesive is usually left on the deck after removing the grip tape. So it does not need to be removed. If you really want to clean it off use citrus cleaner or rubbing alcohol, but this can be time consuming, messy, or just not worth cleaning to begin with.

[@maxridesbikes8466]

Thanks, I just Ordered a new set and I’m planning to use this vid then

[@theaxedude1]

You should make a video on different types and brands of grip

[@RatVision]

We are currently doing the product testing for that video.

[@matr4858]

GREAT VIDEO THANKS!!!!! :) u guys should tell skate shops about this tip because it seems really useful

[@RatVision]

Heat guns are great. We prefer them over hair driers, but not too many people have a heat gun and a hair drier works just as good. It only takes a little longer to heat the grip with a hair drier.

[@justinsalazar4944]

This was very helpful I literally put Jess up grip like 1 day ago and my blade wasn't so good so I didn't cut good so I tried this and totally easy .. Easier then I expected .. Really helpful

[@ramiroguzman9495]

Hey i got a new strip of mib grip and i was thinking would it be good to just apply the new grip over the old grip without taking off the old grip?

[@RatVision]

No. But are you referring to a sheet of clear grip or grit that is glued to the board?

[@RatVision]

It should not be moving at all. There is no curing time. Once you put grip tape on it sticks. What did you do to remove the grip tape? Did you put anything on the deck at all that would cause this problem?

[@RatVision]

Yes.

[@nataliemillan5663]

How do you take off the adhesive/glue residue? Can i just put the new grip tape over the adhesive, or will it ruin the new grip tape?

[@lil_saint_nick]

For 11 years ago, this guy had a great camera

[@Applejack118sao]

Thanks +rat vision for the helpful instructions video

[@landonyoung4216]

can u make a vid on how to fix stress cracks

[@RatVision]

Absolutely!

[@RatVision]

Try it and let us know how it sticks. Ever tried putting a sticker on a dirty surface? Do you think it will stick?

[@RatVision]

Remove it and apply a new sheet. We have a video for applying grip tape if you haven't seen it. Subscribe if these videos helped you thanks.

[@jonathanaudette3485]

You make it look so easy