How Long Do Skateboards Last? – (2021 Important Points)
Most beginners often think about how long do skateboards last. Well, I used to think the same back in the days when I first started skateboarding. To answer this question I had to do a short survey as it requires multiple data to make a hypothesis.
Skateboard’s last for about 5 to 6 months on average. However, it mainly depends on the usage and may sometimes last longer if the rider isn’t too harsh on the board. But if the skateboard goes through heavy moves like ollie then it may last shorter than average
Just as I mentioned above, a skateboard’s life depends on how you ride it as well as how you treat your skateboard. Some skateboarders just ride their board all day long and don’t even take care of it. Due to this, the skateboard loses its quality and eventually breaks.
However, there are some other factors too that may ruin the skateboard’s life. These factors include
- Environmental challenges
- Low build quality
- Poor riding style
- Lack of maintenance
- Skateboarding in water or rain
How Often Should You Replace Your Skateboard?
If you want to learn how long do skateboards last then you should also know when to replace your skateboard. I wanted to know the exact time frame after which I should change my skateboarding.
For that purpose, I did a lot of research on the internet and I had to ask a few pro skateboarders on Youtube and Reddit. After a quite bit of digging, I learned some interesting facts which I am going to share with you.
If you are a beginner then your skateboard will stay in shape even after months of practice. It is mainly because most beginners are limited to certain moves. However, if you are a professional then you need to replace your skateboard after every 3 to 4 months.
It is because the deck, trucks, and even the bearings lose their quality with time and continuous usage.
Do Skateboards Go Bad?
Yes, skateboards are not invincible and even a good skateboard will lose its quality with time. However, there are some factors that may speed up the process which isn’t good. First of all hardcore stunts such as high jumps and ollies will put too much pressure on your deck and trucks.
As a result, it loses its quality and will eventually break. Apart from that, if you are careless about your skateboard and ride it even in rain then you will ruin the deck pretty much earlier than the average life span.
However, if you think your skateboard will go bad just by laying in the storeroom then you are wrong. Skateboards will never lose their quality just by lying idle. As long as they are safe from environmental challenges such as rain and snow they will be safe and in good condition.
How Can I Make My Skateboard Last Longer?
If your skateboard is of low quality from the manufacturer then there isn’t much you can do about it. However, there are still a few things that will make your skateboard last longer. First of all, you need to take proper care of your skateboard.
By proper care, I mean regularly cleaning its deck, grip tape, and wheels. Apart from that, you can increase its quality by cleaning skateboard bearings. However, you should be careful while cleaning the board and its parts.
Especially when it comes to using cleaning agents I wouldn’t recommend using any harsh detergents etc otherwise you will ruin the deck and bearings. Apart from that, you need to ride your skateboard on plan ground with less or no bumps at all.
Rough surfaces damage the skateboard’s trucks and bearings because of the vigorous vibrations and as a result, your skateboard may stop working.
Where Should I Keep My Skateboard?
Most people just keep skateboards in their storeroom or beneath their beds. However, this isn’t the right way at all. I broke my skateboard accidentally when I was pushing the dressing table in my storeroom and it fell on the skateboard.
The best way to keep your skateboard protected when not in use is by hanging it on the wall. There are different skateboard hangers available on the market. You can use them to hang your skateboards on the wall where they stay safe.
Apart from that, these hangers make them look beautiful in your room. In addition to this, if you don’t like hanging your skateboard then there are racks available for skateboards. You can buy one of these pretty cheap from Amazon and use them to keep your skateboard safe.
Can I Wash My Skateboard With Water?
If you want to know how long do skateboards last then you should also learn what ruins their quality. Since skateboards are made of maple wood most of them are prone to damage when exposed to water.
This is exactly why I don’t recommend washing your skateboard with water. It will ruin the deck quality and will also cause the bearings to rust. Due to such issues, you wouldn’t be able to ride your skateboard for longer and will eventually lose it.
If your skateboard is really dirty and you want to clean it then you can use a slightly damp cloth. It will do the job but make sure to apply dry cloth right after using the damp cloth to clean the board.
Will Rain Ruin A Skateboard?
Rain is the main thing that will leave nothing on your skateboard and will ruin it completely. It is because rainwater contains different chemicals dissolved especially when it is the first shower of rain.
After coming in contact with the skateboard’s deck and especially with bearings it will completely waste these parts. Your skateboard’s bearing will rust and become useless and you will have to buy a new one in order to ride your board.
Apart from that, your deck may soak water which will damage it and make it completely useless. Therefore most professional players do not recommend riding the skateboard when it is raining.
How Do You Clean Griptape Without Ruining It?
Grip tape is as important as the skateboard’s deck and wheels. It provides traction and allows you to perform different stunts. However, being in direct contact with your feet, it will get dirty more often.
If your skateboard’s grip tape has art on it then the dirt will completely ruin its looks. Therefore you need to clean it regularly in order to make it look awesome and keep it maintained. However, grip tape cleaning isn’t an easy task to perform.
A slight bit of carelessness can ruin the complete grip tape and will you will have to buy a new one. Therefore you will need to be very careful when cleaning the one that you have already applied on the deck.
I highly recommend using a simple brush with water to clean it. Now you must be thinking I told you not to use water. Don’t worry we are not going to spill it right on the deck. You will need to put it in a spray bottle and spray the water on the dirty spots only. After that, you can finish the job with a brush.
Why Do Skateboard Wheels Turn Yellow?
You may have noticed that mostly skateboard wheels turn yellow with time. Have you ever thought why does that happen? If no then today I am going to tell you the secret behind skateboard wheels turning yellow.
We all know the fact that the wheels of skateboards consist of polyurethane. Its true color is yellow and different companies paint just to make them look attractive. However, these wheels with the passage of time and usage start to lose their paint quality.
As a result, they start gaining their true color which is yellow. It sometimes happens due to other factors as well such as skateboarding in rain and sometimes the heat can be an issue.
Is Skateboarding an Expensive Sport?
Before thinking about how long do skateboards last, you may think is it an expensive sport. Well, it depends on the situation and your choice sometimes. If you are a professional skateboarder and you care too much about quality then yes skateboarding can be a bit expensive for you.
You will have to spend money on high-quality wheels, decks, trucks, and even bearings. However, if you are just riding for fun then you don’t have to spend that much amount on your board. Since you are not spending too much, in such conditions skateboarding will not be an expensive sport for you.
Final Thoughts
If you want to know how long do skateboards last then you are in the right place. I have written a detailed article after doing in-depth research on the topic. I collected different facts from multiple sources and after that, I wrote this article just to explain how long do skateboards last.
A good skateboard will last from 4 months to sometimes 2 years. However, it mainly depends on your usage. Sometimes it can last shorter than the above-mentioned time. You can increase its lifespan but riding on smooth surfaces and properly maintaining your skateboard often.
If you have enjoyed reading this article please share it with your friends and family. However, if you want me to add additional information then feel free to let me know in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts.
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