How to Paint Skateboard Decks

Painting your own skateboard deck is a good way to completely customize your board and showcase your artistic talent. Instead of using a skateboard that has a design that others may have, a custom painted deck will give you a one of kind design.

Designing and painting your own skateboard deck isn't too difficult. You need to spend some time preparing the deck and sealing it so the finish doesn't get damaged when used.

What You'll Need:

• Primer


• Various paints


• Various paint brushes in different sizes


• Sandpaper


• Paint sealer


• Blank deck


• Microfiber cloth

1. Remove the wheel axles off the board. You want to work with the deck only without the hardware attached.


2. Sand the deck so that it's smooth. It's best to use a fine sandpaper, like a 2-point paper. This will give you a clean sand that won't create scratches in the paint later.


3. Wipe down the deck with the microfiber cloth. This will remove the dust created from the sanding process.


4. Prime the deck. This will allow the actual painted design to adhere to the board. You want a clean, even coat. Allow the primer to dry and check for streaking or spots that may have been missed. Paint these areas and allow it to dry. It takes at least two hours for the primer coat to dry.


5. Start to design the deck. You can use pencils to draw the design on the board. If you want to use a background color you want to apply this first. Once you have the look you want set the deck to the side to allow the paint to dry.


6. Seal the paint with a sealant or paint finish. These are available in different levels of gloss so you can pick the finish you want. The finish is important because it seals the paint in and helps prevent damage to the paint. Allow this to dry completely before reinstalling the hardware.