If your grip tape is dirty, it’s way better to clean it than to change it out. The Onewheel front footpad has a sensor underneath it, and removing the tape is a delicate procedure.
You should always try to clean the grip tape to try and restore it as the first step, and once your grip tape starts to weaken, then it’s time to change it. Here is what you need to clean your tape.
- Abrasive Rubber cleaning stick (any piece of natural rubber that would work on sandpaper)
- Brush (any brush with soft nylon bristles)
- Microfiber cleaning cloth (to be used in dampening or patting the board dry)
These items are essentials for any Onewheeler because they don’t cost that much and will always come in handy.
What You Need To Cleaning Your Onewheel Grip Tape
Cleaning your Onewheel grip tape is easy with the right tools. As stated above, you only need a couple of items, so don’t overlook them when you are performing routine maintenance on your board.
Brush
A brush with some stiff nylon bristles is a great tool to remove excess dirt without damaging the grip tape on your Onewheel. I’m using a brush with a good handle, a dish brush is a cheap alternative to remove stubborn mud and debris.
Brushing away loose dirt is the first thing you do when cleaning your grip tape.
An abrasive Rubber cleaning stick
The abrasive rubber cleaning stick is the next step after brushing away debris and dirt. It works like how pencil erasers remove mistakes on paper, but instead it removes dirt from in between the sand particles on your grip tape.
Don’t buy the Onewheel Grip Tape Eraser or any skateboard Griptape erase. Getting a generic abrasive rubber cleaning stick for belt sandpaper and sanding disc instead. It’s made of the same materials as the grip tape eraser, natural rubber, just at a way better price. The grip tape on your board is sandpaper that’s a bit more weather-resistant than normal paper.
The erasers are perfect for removing dirt stuck inside the paper between the sand and removing it from your grip tape.
Microfibre cleaning cloth
It’s good to use a microfibre cloth for the last polishing steps of your board or to soak up any excess water after you have wiped down your board or been riding in wet conditions. Remember that your board is only water-resistant and not waterproof unless you have badger the board. It is, therefore, recommended not to soak the board and wipe away any water before it makes its way into the internals of your board
Onewheel Grip Tape Eraser
Just don’t buy the grip tape eraser, get a natural rubber abrasive cleaning stick made for sandpapers and sanding discs. It’s way cheaper compared to the official grip tape eraser. The same goes for the skate brands out there that sell the same product.
How To Clean Your Onewheel Grip Tape
Step-1 Remove lose dirt and as much of the bulk of it
Use the brush to brush away any loose or easy-to-remove surface dirt. Try to force the bristles into the grip tape to remove the bulk of any caked-on dirt, mud, or soil sticking inside the grip tape granulates.
This is an important step as grip tape erasers only work best in removing small particles of sand and dust from the tape
If you can’t remove caked-on dirt go to step 2 else go to step 3.
Step-2 Apply Water For Heavily Caked On Dirt And Mud
If brushing the board is ineffective and you can’t remove all the dirt, you could try and dip the brush in some water. Scrub the grip tape and repeat the step above. Remember the board is not waterproof so use only a small amount of water and clean it off with a microfibre cloth afterward. Let the board dry and go back to step 1.
Step-3 Clean with the Abrasive Rubber cleaning stick (grip tape eraser)
To clean your grip tape from the small particles rub the abrasive cleaning stick on the grip tape, This will remove the particles from your board like a pencil eraser.
Using the different sides from time to time while rubbing it will give your board a better cleaning of the tape. Once done, your board will then look clean; the grip tape will reveal a darker shade of black and a better grip than before.
Be careful not to sand down your Nuckles or fingertips on the grip tape, it’s like sandpaper.
Step-4 Clean the board with a microfiber cloth
Use a clean dampened microfiber cloth to gently clean the board from all loose dirt and mud that has been removed from the tape. Make sure to wipe up any remaining water.
Quick Summary
| Tools Needed | Steps to Clean Onewheel Grip Tape |
|---|---|
| Brush with stiff nylon bristles | Remove loose dirt by brushing the surface |
| Abrasive Rubber cleaning stick | If necessary, apply water for heavily caked-on dirt and mud. Scrub with the brush and clean with a microfiber cloth afterward. Use the abrasive rubber cleaning stick (grip tape eraser) to remove small particles from the tape. Rub it on the grip tape, using different sides for better cleaning. Be cautious not to sand down your knuckles or fingertips. |
| Microfiber cleaning cloth | Clean the board with a dampened microfiber cloth. Wipe away any remaining water. |
