How to Fix a Tech Deck

The more you use your Tech Deck fingerboard, the greater the chance it will eventually become damaged. Grinds and bails can cause wear on the grip tape while hard landings can bend the trucks or chip material off of the wheels. You can fix your Tech Deck by removing the damaged parts and replacing them with new Tech Deck components that are included with new decks or available separately. Always keep additional Tech Deck parts on hand to fix your fingerboard without having to purchase an entirely new deck.

Things You'll Need

• Tech Deck tool
• Replacement trucks
• Replacement wheels
• Grip tape, 1-by-4-inch rectangle
• Utility knife
• Scissors
• Butter knife

Instructions

Trucks

1. Place the Tech Deck wheels down on a flat surface. Insert the screwdriver end of the Tech Deck tool into one of the four screws holding the truck in place.

2. Rotate the tool counterclockwise to loosen and remove the screw. Place the screw off to the side. Repeat with the remaining screws.

3. Remove the truck from the underside of the deck.

4. Insert the ratchet side of the Tech Deck tool into the center hole of the wheels on the truck. Rotate the tool counterclockwise to remove the wheels from the damaged truck.

5. Place a new truck under the deck so the rounded side of the truck faces inward. Push the truck against the deck and replace the four screws. Rotate the tool clockwise to secure the screws in place.

6. Slide one wheel over each axle on the new truck. Insert a nut into the ratchet side of the Tech Deck tool. Place the tool onto the center hole of each wheel and rotate clockwise to secure the wheels to the new truck.

Wheels

1. Hold the Tech Deck in your left hand. Rotate the deck so the damaged wheel is facing you.

2. Insert the ratchet end of the Tech Deck tool into the center of the wheel where a small nut is located. Tilt the deck so the wheel is facing down.

3. Rotate the Tech Deck tool counterclockwise to loosen and remove the nut. The nut should remain in the ratchet end of the tool.

4. Slide the damaged wheel off of the deck and slide the replacement wheel into place. Insert the Tech Deck tool into the center hole of the wheel and rotate clockwise to secure the nut into place.

5. Repeat on any additional damaged wheels.

Grip Tape

1. Hold the Tech Deck in one hand with the grip tape facing up.

2. Slide the blade of a utility knife under the damaged tape. Lift up to peel away the tape. Repeat on any other pieces of grip tape left on the deck.

3. Place the Tech Deck face down on the back of a 1-by-4-inch rectangle of grip tape. Trace around the deck. Cut the grip tape around the outline.

4. Peel the back off of the grip tape and lay it flat onto the deck. Smooth the tape from center to end to remove any air pockets.

5. Press the dull edge of a butter knife on the edge of the Tech Deck. Move the knife around the perimeter of the deck to create a white line separating the excess tape from the rest of the deck. Cut the excess tape off with a utility knife.

Tips & Warnings

• If the actual board of your Tech Deck snaps in two, remove the wheels and trucks before discarding the board and use the parts to build a new deck.

References

• Skateboarding isn't a Crime: Fingerboard Trick Tips