Can Skateboards Get Wet? How To Avoid It?

Have you ever left your skateboard outside in the rain? Can skateboards get wet? You are probably wondering about these questions.

A skateboard will be damaged if people use or leave it in the rain. Skateboarding in the rain is not a wise idea unless you don’t mind breaking it.

After the hardware becomes wet, you may preserve it by drying, cleaning, and relubricating it. Unfortunately, you can’t do the same with grip tape and a deck.

The article will give you detailed explanations for the above question.

Let’s scroll down and get into the details!

It is more prone to get wet

Can Skateboards Get Wet?

The answer is Yes, your skateboard can get wet. Although you preserve some elements of your board carefully, the deck’s wood can be permanently ruined, which you must avoid if you do not want to spend more money.

When water penetrates the wood fibers, they expand naturally. The form of your board will distort as a result of this! Due to the shifting curvature of the board, the adhesive will fail.

Unfortunately, you cannot always foresee how and when a skateboard’s adhesive may break.

You may believe that your board is still safe to ride, and theoretically, you are correct. However, you will discover that it no longer pops as effectively as a properly-maintained board, and it will shatter more easily.

Kids can still use waterlogged skateboards, and they will not notice much of a difference. But, if your child attempts to learn a skill, you must purchase a new board for them.

We recommend avoiding skating in the weather and ensuring that your shoes are dry before stepping on your skateboard.

You must avoid wet grass, tiles, and puddles. But, there is no difference between skating in wet conditions and skateboarding on dry surfaces with wet feet.

What Occurs When Your Skateboard Gets Wet?

Water will damage the skateboards

Skateboards are not wet-suitable surfboards. They do not appear to be submerged in water.

The oil to lubricate your skateboard’s bearings may wash away. Then, water will seep between its epoxied layers, weakening the glue. Your skateboard will bend and become more brittle as a result of this.

The worst-case scenario is that the water destroys your board. Bearings, on the other hand, may be cleaned, preserved, and re-lubricated.

Steel vehicles will not rust, and iron-containing components may remove moisture. However, if your board becomes wet, it will never be the same as when you bought it.

Your board will grow heavier and will no longer pop as well. The board’s wood will deteriorate, making it more vulnerable to brittle fracture. That’s where it takes the most harm.

If you do not want your board to feel like that, stay away from damp surfaces and not skate in the rain. Skateboarding on wet surfaces will make you regret it, we’re sure.

Why Should You Not Ride It When It Is Wet?

We have wanted to skate outside when it’s been raining for days on end. Yet, rain damages every part of a skateboard and can result in some pretty severe injuries.

In rainy situations, specific bearings and wheels perform better than others. On a slippery surface, however, all wheels may lose traction.

So let’s look at how water affects each component of your skateboard.

The Deck Can Warp And Get Waterlogged

The primary reason why most skaters advise against skating in damp weather is that it damages the deck.

Multiple plies (typically bamboo or maple wood) are cemented with epoxy coating to form your board.

But, the epoxy glue loses its grip between the plies as water penetrates the layers. It can cause the board to delaminate, rendering it completely worthless.

It will indeed become soggy if it does not delaminate. You can still ride it; however, it will become bent or distorted.

The Grip Tape May Become Peel And Slippery

All the wheels can lose traction when they are wet

Even though grip tape may be the cheapest skateboard component, it still stinks when it’s wet. When grip tape comes into touch with water, it loses a lot of its hold and becomes quite slippery.

Old grip tape also begins to peel away, enabling water to penetrate the deck. You will almost certainly need to replace it if the grip tape gets slick but doesn’t pull away from the surface.

Just ensure the deck isn’t bent or soaked with water. If this is the case, you may need a new entire skateboard.

You Will Ruin The Bearings

Bearings are those that should not be wet at all possible. Although they have an outer shield, it’s not waterproof.

Although bearings are not the most costly component of a skateboard, you should not throw them away. The inner housing and ball bearings will corrode and rust.

That’s time to get a new set of bearings. If they’ve just been exposed to a small amount of water or rain, you can try to revive them if they’ve become stuck.

You must take excellent care of the bearings if you want them to endure an extended period. If you lubricate them with specific oil regularly, a good pair can last a year.

The grease inside the bearings degrades over time, causing the bearings to deteriorate from inside. Fortunately, cleaning them is easy, takes little time, and is the most excellent way to keep them from degrading.

The Trucks Might Be Fine, But Other Parts May Rust

Trucks are sturdy and can withstand a lot of harm. They are frequently the last thing on your mind.

It will be fine if they get wet a few times, but too much water might cause them to rust. Water can cause damage to the kingpin, nut, washers, axles, and hangar.

Even though they are tough, drying them after a ride is good if they become damp. Trucks are simple to clean, but you must disassemble them first.

Take each component and thoroughly dry it. Then, assemble the sections and place them back on the board once they’ve dried.

The Wheels May Lose Grip

Skateboarding on wet surfaces is not a wise idea

Cruiser wheels and longboards, which are big and squishy, are more stable than skateboard wheels. Longboard wheels can handle damp conditions better than skateboard wheels, while wheels on a skateboard cannot.

Although your skateboard wheels are flexible, you may lose control in rainy circumstances. However, all other parts of your board are still at risk of being harmed by the water. It is true with cruisers and longboards.

How To Avoid Getting Your Skateboard Wet?

If you live in a rainy region, you have little choice but to be cautious and sensible in your skateboarding choices.

If you do decide to skateboard in the rain, here are some excellent suggestions:

• It would be best if you avoided puddles. Although it may seem self-evident, it is worth mentioning.
• If at all possible, avoid skating in severe rain.
• When you finish skating, be sure to dry the board right away. Carefully and completely dry it. If you can, use a clean and dry towel and a hairdryer. If you leave the board wet, it will become worthless.

Therefore, if you feel it necessary to skateboard in the rain, here are some suggestions. You might also consider investing in a Penny board.

The only item that may get harmed is the bearings, as these are plastic skateboards with huge, squishy wheels. Last but not least, always be cautious.

What Can I Do If My Skateboards Get Wet?

You will face damaging the skateboard and harming your body

Most riders will get their boards wet by mistake at some time. It is not a big concern if there is only a splash or a drizzle.

If you leave the board in the rain or fall into a large puddle, you must repair it. If the skateboard becomes wet, follow these instructions.

• To begin, remove this from the water source as soon as possible.
• If the board is wet, pat the outside dry with a towel.
• Remove the trucks as well as the hardware from the deck. Dry the area where the hardware attaches to the board with your towel.
• Dry it in the sun. If you can not get sundry the board, air it out in an open area such as a garage. Heat will destroy the glue that holds your board together, so do not dry it this way.
• Disconnect your hardware’s bearings and wheels. Then, dry them. Apply a bit of skate-specific bearing lube to the bearings by utilizing an old toothbrush. Lubrication will prevent your bearings from deteriorating in the future.
• Allow time for the components and board to dry. A  day should be enough.
• Reassemble your board and get back out there. This time, you’ll be more intelligent and more effective.

All you have to do now is follow the steps. Try not to be sluggish since time is crucial in this situation.

See also: How To Store Your Skateboard

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions we have collected while researching this field. We hope all of them are beneficial to you and your time.

Will Rain Ruin A Skateboard?

The answer is yes. Riding a skateboard while it is damp outside is severely discouraged. The bearings will deteriorate, the grip tape peels off, the deck loses its pop and delaminates.

Can You Waterproof A Skateboard?

Yes. One possible step is to use a protective layer to waterproof the deck (if it is wood). Spray paint is typically the easiest, but any waterproof clear finish from the hardware store would suffice.

Can Long Boards Get Wet?

Yes. Most longboards appear to be solid, long-lasting, and water-resistant. However, to be more specific, consider the following variables when considering how to maintain your longboard best after it has been wet.

Can You Longboard In Wet?

Avoid riding your skateboard wet as much as possible. The board, trucks, bearings, and bolts are damaged by water.

Furthermore, you may experience hydroplaning, impairing your capacity to control the board. Therefore, avoid skating in puddles.

Conclusion

Now, you can answer the question, “can skateboards get wet?” Yes, skateboards and water do not mix well.

Waterlogging and warping your deck, loosening your grip tape, and removing part of the lubricant from your bearings are all effects of getting the board wet.

Bearings may spin slowly and eventually harm themselves and your vehicles. If you do not mind your board becoming wet, you can skateboard in the rain.

Remember that you should only skate on level ground with gritty concrete for traction.

Getting your board excessively cold or hot will not have much of an effect. Although it will produce some mechanical harm, it isn’t significant.

Thank you for reading!