Skateboarding is extremely fun to do during the summer but not so fun during the winter when it’s cold. Most people store their skateboards in a closet during the cold season. Are there specific storage methods to use on your skateboard to maintain its condition?
Before storing a skateboard, remove the wheels and hanger shafts. Then, clean the wheels and board. After the board is completely dry, store it horizontally. If storing the skateboard on a rack, it is not necessary to remove the wheels before putting the skateboard on the rack.
Keep reading to learn more about what you should do before storing your skateboard for the winter and why it is important to store your skateboard properly.
What to Do Before Storing Your Skateboard
Before you store your skateboard, you need to clean it. If you don’t clean your skateboard before storing it, the dirt and grime on your skateboard will harden, making it harder to get off in the future. This dirt and grime can damage your skateboard over time.
To clean your skateboard, dampen a cloth and wipe your skateboard until it is completely clean. Don’t avoid cleaning areas of your skateboard that already look clean, as they may have a small layer of dirt and dust. Make sure you clean all of the nooks and crannies of your skateboard, even the wheels and hanger shafts.
When cleaning your skateboard, try to only use water, however gentle soaps like Dawn dish soap can be used when cleaning things like grip tape residue, or grease off your board.
After you finish cleaning your skateboard, let it air dry completely before putting it into storage.
Before putting your skateboard into storage, take off the wheels and hanger shafts and clean them thoroughly. Keep the screws in a plastic bag and tape it to the hanger shafts. Keep all of the wheels and hanger shafts together. Taking the wheels and hanger shafts off of your skateboard before putting it into storage will allow you to store multiple skateboards in the same, flat space. However, if you are going to store your on a rack, you don’t need to take the wheels or hanger shafts off of your skateboard.
Where to Store Your Skateboard to Maintain Its Condition
You can store your skateboard in many places around your home. However, it is best to store skateboards in areas that aren’t humid and are quite dry. If you live in a humid climate, put a dehumidifier or moisture-absorbing product in the area you store your skateboards in.
Don’t store your skateboards vertically, as this can cause them to warp over time. Take off the wheels and hanger shafts and stack them on top of each other, with the bottom of the board facing the ground. This will help prevent the boards from warping. Don’t worry if your skateboards don’t fit together perfectly when you stack them.
Avoid storing your skateboard in the trunk of your car, a garage, or a shed. Essentially, store your skateboards indoors. Avoid storing your skateboards in an area where they will be exposed to a lot of sunlight.
Store your skateboards in a temperature-controlled area. If your skateboards get too cold or warm, the finish will likely start to become discolored. The wood may also start cracking and the wheels may become brittle.
It is best to store your skateboards on a rack that is designed to store them, After all, if they are on a skateboard rack, they will be out of the way and won’t be tripping hazards for you and your family members. Skateboard racks also allow you to showcase your skateboards in a clean, aesthetically pleasing way.
A good place to store your skateboards is in a plastic tote. Put the plastic tote in a dry, warm place like a closet or mud room. The plastic tote will keep water and moisture away from your skateboards.
When you are ready to start riding your skateboards again, your skateboards will be easily accessible and ready to use. However, it will be easier to store your skateboards in a plastic tote if you take the wheels and hanger shafts off first, so you may have to reassemble them before you can ride your skateboards again.
Why It’s Important to Store Your Skateboard Properly
While it may seem like you can simply throw your skateboards in your closet until the weather improves, that is not the case. If you don’t store your skateboards properly, the wood can become warped and start cracking. If the wood of your skateboard becomes warped, it will likely be harder to use. If the wood of your skateboard starts cracking, it may splinter or break entirely when you start actively using it again. If your skateboard breaks, you will have to replace it sooner than anticipated.
The wheels on your skateboard can also become damaged over time if you don’t store them properly. If exposed to high temperatures, plastic wheels can become brittle over time. This increases the likelihood they will break or be misshapen when you start riding your skateboard again.
Overall, if you don’t store your skateboard properly, you may shorten its lifespan. This can get expensive over time. It is best to simply invest in a skateboard rack or large plastic tote so you can store your skateboards properly.
While it may seem like a hassle to clean and take apart your skateboards before putting them in storage, doing so helps keep them in tip-top shape for a long time.
You can store your skateboards in almost any area as long as it is indoors and out of direct sunlight. Avoid storing your skateboards outdoors, as if you do, they may become damaged over time.
If you take care of your skateboards and store them properly, they will be ready to use when the weather improves and you are able to actively use them again. This means that while it may seem bothersome to take the time to put your skateboards into storage, the effort will be worth it in the long run.
