How to Make a Skateboard Ramp Waterproof
Skateboard ramps come in all shapes and sizes and include half pipes, quarter pipes, launch ramps, boxes, table tops and others. Ramps make skateboarding possible in remote areas, fun in urban areas and add depth and dimension to the sport. Ramps can also be very costly to maintain depending on the size of the ramp and whether the ramp is kept indoor or outdoor. Waterproofing a ramp can add years to its life and save money in costly repairs.
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Things You'll Need
- Skatelite, 4-foot by 8-foot sheets
- Roll of tar paper
- 2-3 lbs. of 2.5-inch wood screws
- Spar Urethane or Polyurethane paint
- Tarp
- Power drill and screwdriver bit
- Saw
- Paint brush, rollers or sprayer
Instructions
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Seal it up
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Add a layer of tar paper underneath the top layer of the ramp. Tar paper can be an effective way of keeping moisture from seeping into deeper layers of your ramp. Remove the outermost layer of Masonite or Skatelite on your ramp. Add a layer of tar paper. Resurface the ramp with a fresh layer of Masonite or Skatelite.
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2
Add a layer of Skatelite surfacing to the ramp. Skatelite is highly durable, waterproof and is the industry standard material for surfacing ramps. Skatelite can be purchased at special retailers or online at skatelite.com. Skatelite comes in a variety of types, including their eco-friendly hemplite, and in sizes including the standard 4-foot by 8-foot sheets of plywood.
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3
Paint the surface of the ramp with waterproof outdoor paint. The most effective paint to use is a spar urethane paint. But this can be costly at around $35 dollars a gallon. A less expensive paint that will still do the job is a polyurethane paint. They cost around $25 dollars per gallon. One gallon of paint will cover around 500 square feet of surface, so budget and purchase accordingly.
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4
Throw a tarp or other waterproof cover over the ramp when it's not in use. A good tarp can add years to your ramp.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're using a ramp or grind box, pull it inside when not in use.
Always remove water from the ramp quickly.
Always use proper safety gear when skateboarding.
