Nothing lasts forever, but if you take care of your board properly you may significantly lengthen its lifespan. In this article, we will give you the do and don’ts of board maintenance.

1. How long will my longboard last?

It highly depends on a number of things. Before you buy a board do research: ask the users about their experiences with a longboard brand, ask the producer. The quality comes with a price, and if you get your board from a respected manufacturer you will enjoy it longer.

Freestyle freaks already know that landing high-impact tricks will eventually destroy even the most durable deck. Our rider AJ the Kid needs a new board once in 2-3 months (but he’s a ripper who shreds every day - check out his videos) while an average rider who mostly cruises places and longboard dances from time to time enjoys his longboard for years.

2. What not to do

Here are a couple of things to avoid if you want your longboard to last longer.

First of all, never cruise when it is raining. Longboards are made of wood and when a deck soaks up water it becomes more vulnerable and may crack easily. Riding on wet roads will also destroy the trucks and may hurt you if the wheels slip. So avoid contact with water and if the board gets wet don’t shred it before it dries. But never leave it next to the heater to dry!

High temperatures such as long sun exposure make your board fragile. The resin that glues the layers of your longboard together may start cracking when you overheat your board. Store your deck inside dry, clean and shaded places.

Another thing is that be careful whom you are lending your board. The producer usually specifies the weight range for a particular deck. If you weigh 50 kg and have a suitable board for you, think twice before you allow your 100 kg muscular buddy to land tricks on it.

3. Longboard maintenance

Besides cleaning off the dirt from your board and keeping it away from water and heat here’s what you can do to maintain your boards.

Clean dusty or muddy grip tape with a soft brush and try to avoid washing it with water and soap if not necessary so it doesn’t lose its qualities. You can also use silicone rubber (you can get it in a skate shop or online) to clean the dirt off the grip tape.

If you wanna treat your deck with a fresh and shiny grip, remove the old one using a hairdryer to melt the adhesive. Use a flat razor blade underneath the edges of the old grip but carefully, so you don’t cut the board (or your fingers). Peel it off slowly, then scratch off the remaining pieces and put on a new grip. 

Cleaning your bearings is important if you wanna keep rolling. Squeaking sounds not pleasant (unless you are a masochist) so pay attention that your bearings don’t get rusty and sticky with water, mud and dust.

Equip yourself with bearings cleaning kit or use kerosene or mineral spirits. First, remove the rubber cover (gently), clean the surface, rinse in rubbing or isopropyl alcohol and let it dry. Before putting the bearing together, apply bearing lubricant.

As for the wheels, they will eventually wear off. We won’t advise you to skate only on smooth and shiny surfaces, just shred whatever makes you feel good! In the end, longboarding should give us fun and pleasure. 

Just make sure you get the appropriate type of wheels designed for the type of longboarding you wanna do. For downhill choose sliding wheels, not cruising wheels, etc. To wear them out evenly so they last longer, rotate the wheels from time to time.

If you notice that the performance of your wheels decreased, that the rust on your bearings is impossible to be cleaned anymore don’t ride until everything falls off completely and put your health at risk.

Do you find this article helpful? Let us know on our Instagram, Facebook, or via info@alternativelongboards.com!

Sustainability is a priority for us at Alternative Longboards, and we aspire to shape boards that are more durable to generate less waste. We implement the latest technology and test new solutions to make the best boards on the market. If you are looking for a new deck that will provide you with the best performance and be your faithful companion for longer, check the awesome things we offer at land-mfg.com!