Finding the right fingerboard grip tape can honestly make or crack how your setup feels below your fingertips. It's the only part of the board you're constantly touching, when it's as well slippery, too rough, or simply feels "off, " your tips are likely to suffer. I've seen people invest eighty bucks upon high-end trucks plus wheels, only to slap on several cheap, generic tape that ruins the whole experience. It's like putting spending budget tires on the Ferrari—it just doesn't make sense.
When you're first beginning out, you might not believe there's much of a distinction between one brand and another. After all, it's somewhat strip of backing material, right? Yet once you've already been skating for the while, you realize that will the texture, thickness, and even the way it dons down with time completely change the "pop" and "flick" of your board.
Polyurethane foam vs. Sandpaper: The truly great Debate
In the day, almost everyone used sandpaper-style grip because that's what came on Technology Decks. It has been rough, it tore up your cuticles, and it didn't have much give. Fast forward in order to today, and almost all serious fingerboarders wouldn't be caught dead using anything some other than foam.
Foam fingerboard grip tape could be the gold standard for any reason. It's far more comfortable for long sessions, and this actually provides more "grip" for your own skin than actual sandpaper does. Mainly because your fingers aren't as heavy otherwise you feet on the real skateboard, you don't need grit to stay on the board; you will need something that creates a little bit of friction with your skin.
That said, some individuals still recommend slim, fine-grit sandpaper grip. It gives an extremely specific, snappy film that's hard to replicate with polyurethane foam. If you're straight into technical, high-flip tricks, you may actually choose the way sandpaper releases from your fingertips. But for the majority of us, the "squish" associated with foam is exactly where it's at.
Why Thickness Really Matters
You'll usually see polyurethane foam tape sold in two main thicknesses: 0. 5mm and 1mm. It doesn't sound like a huge difference, but in the particular world of fingerboarding, half a millimeter is huge.
The 1mm stuff is exactly what a lot of people start with. It's plush, this covers up the hardware holes properly, and it's very forgiving. If a person have a deck with deep concave, the thicker tape may help mellow it out a bit. On the other hand, some motorcyclists seem like 1mm tape makes a "disconnect" among them as well as the wood.
That's exactly where the 0. 5mm fingerboard grip tape comes in. It's super thin—almost like a second epidermis for your deck. It lets you feel each curve of the wood and makes the board experience much more responsive. Drawback? It would wear out faster, plus if you don't apply it completely, you'll feel every single tiny imperfection underneath.
The Breaking-In Process
One thing no one tells newbies is that brand-new grip tape usually sucks for the first hour. Whenever you first peel off the backing and stick it on, it might feel the bit too "dusty" or way as well grippy. You'll try out to perform a kickflip and the plank will just stick to your fingers, or it'll feel weirdly advanced.
Don't anxiety and rip it off. Most polyurethane foam tape needs a "break-in" period. Because you skate, the oils out of your pores and skin soak into the polyurethane foam, and the surface gets slightly buffed down. After the day or 2 of solid use, it hits that will "sweet spot" where it's perfectly grippy but nevertheless lets a person slide your fingertips for different trick setups.
I've actually recognized people who use a bit of fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand down their brand-new foam tape simply to accelerate this particular process. It seems crazy, but this works if you would like that will worn-in feel immediately.
Getting a Clean Cut Every Time
Applying fingerboard grip tape is usually a bit of an talent. We've all seen these boards in which the grip is jagged or peeling on the sides, and it simply looks messy. The secret to a pro-looking grip job isn't a pair of scissors—it's a metal file.
Here's the technique: stick the tape down firmly, making sure there are usually no air pockets. Then, take the small metal document (even a toe nail file works within a pinch) and rub it at a 45-degree angle along the edge of the particular deck. This scores the foam plus creates a perfect format from the board. As soon as you've filed all the way around, you can simply peel the excess away, and you'll have a clear, beveled edge that looks like this came straight from the factory.
If you want to get really fancy, a person can do "grip gaps. " This is where you cut the tape into pieces and leave a tiny sliver of the wood deck displaying through. It doesn't really replace the functionality, but it appears cool as hell and lets you show off the workmanship of your deck.
Keeping It Clear
Over time, your fingerboard grip tape is usually going to obtain gross. It picks up dust, soot from your pouches, and dead epidermis cells (yeah, it's a bit awful when you think regarding it). Once the tape gets dirty, it loses its grip.
You don't need to substitute it every period it gets the bit dusty, although. A classic trick is to use a piece of Scotch tape. Simply press the sticky side of the particular tape onto your grip and peel this off. It'll raise all the particles right out associated with the foam skin pores without damaging the material. Many people make use of "grip gum, " which is generally a rubbery block out designed for full-sized skateboards, and that works wonders too.
Just prevent getting it damp. Water can wreck the adhesive backing and make the foam go almost all soggy and weird. If you absolutely have got to use dampness, a very slightly damp microfiber cloth is the way to go, but make sure a person let it air flow dry completely before skating again.
When Is This Time to Replace This?
So, how do you understand when your fingerboard grip tape is actually dead? Presently there are a few telltale signs. First, consider the edges. If it's starting in order to peel up or even "dog-ear" at the nose and tail, it's probably time. Not only does this look bad, yet those peeling sides can catch on your fingers mid-trick.
Second, verify the texture. When the foam has turn out to be completely smooth and shiny in the particular spots where your fingers usually get, you've lost your own traction. When this occurs, you're basically skating upon a slick surface area, and your consistency is going to tank.
Replacing grip is usually actually one of the easiest ways to create an old set up perform again. It's an inexpensive "upgrade" that will provides instant gratification. Plus, it provides a person a chance in order to inspect your deck for almost any stress breaks or loose hardware which you may have skipped.
Personal Preference is King
At the end of the day, there is usually no "best" fingerboard grip tape that works regarding everyone. A few of the best pros on the planet make use of the cheapest foam they can discover, while others won't touch anything except premium, hand-cut sheets from specialty brands.
It's all regarding what feels right to you. If you love a board that feels soft and cushioned, go with regard to the thick polyurethane foam. If you would like maximum control and don't mind a bit of a rougher feel, try the slim stuff or actually a fine sandpaper.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Buy a few different types and see which one can help you land that trick you've been battling. You might find that the simple change in grip tape will be exactly what you needed to take your own skating to the particular next level. In the end, fingerboarding is almost all about the "feel, " as well as the grip tape is how that will feeling begins.