How To Maintain Your Fingerboard

Fingerboarding is an incredibly fun and engaging hobby that has been growing in popularity in recent years. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, taking care of your fingerboard is essential to ensure that it operates smoothly and lasts a long time. Here are some tips on how to maintain your fingerboard.

Firstly, cleaning the foam tape is important to ensure that it doesn't lose its stickiness. You can do this by sticking some painters tape on the foam grip tape and pulling it off repeatedly; or cleaning it lightly with some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. This will help clear any dirt or gunk that may have accumulated over time. I do the tape pretty often, but clean it with rubbing alcohol about once a month or so. A touch of rubbing alcohol on some paper towel can also help your grip wear in faster.

Secondly, cleaning the wheels is also important to ensure that they roll smoothly. You can roll the wheels on the sticky side of the tape to clear any dirt or debris that may be stuck to them. Additionally, you can rub a Q-tip in the bearings to clear any loose dust or dirt that may have accumulated. It’s not the deepest clean but it helps if your riding a lot outdoors or on dusty surfaces.

Thirdly, flipping the bushings can help to increase their life span and make them feel squishy again. This is similar to rotating tires on a car and can help to distribute the wear and tear evenly. I take the ones on top and put them on bottom and vice versa.

Fourthly, it's important to make sure that no screws or bolts are loose or overly tight. This can affect the performance of your fingerboard and cause unnecessary wear and tear. Make sure the screws are all evenly down and double check your bolts. If you find your locknuts coming loose regularly, it may be time for a new set.

Lastly, it's a good idea to clean your fingers or wash your hands before using your fingerboard. This will help to ensure that the tape stays clean and sticky for longer periods of time. I find I fb the best with clean hands and clean grip.

In conclusion, taking care of your fingerboard is an important aspect of the hobby. Following these tips will help to ensure that your fingerboard operates smoothly and lasts for a long time. Happy shredding!

If you want to see a demonstration of how to maintain your fingerboard, check out this video!