How To Paint A Skateboard? [ With Acrylic and Spray Paints]

If you don’t want other people’s skateboards to look like yours, you have got to make a custom painting on your skateboard. But, do you know how to paint a skateboard? Well, if you don’t, read this discussion and you’ll find out how.

Simply put, you have to first take apart the wheels, trucks, etc, and then sand off the main deck. After that, you can add a primer to the deck and paint the deck with spray paint according to your choice.

Now, although these steps look really straightforward and easy to do, they require you to have a solid grip on the inside and out of this whole process. And, that’s why, in order to paint your skateboard like a pro, you will need to read the tutorials we have provided here.

So, stick with us till the end!!

Step By Step Guide On How To Paint Your Skateboard

In this subsection, we have listed down the steps you have to take in order to successfully and artfully paint your skateboard. 

1. Acquire The Needed Items

In the process of painting the skateboard, you’ll need to make sure that you have the below items in your hand:

• Sandpaper X 1
• Spray primer / aerosol primer X 1
• Design stencil/custom design paper
• Transparent tape roll X 1
• Paints (spray paint)
• Paintbrush X 1

Remember, if you want to complete the painting job with the utmost neatness, it is imperative that you start the painting process by making sure that the above items are present in your hand.

2. Removing That Skateboard Components

In order to complete a perfect painting job, you need to take apart all the parts of your skateboard such as the wheels, bearing, trucks, etc. If you take those parts apart before starting the printing job, you can rest assured that you won’t accidentally spill paint on the wheels or the truck, making them jammed with paints. 

3. Sanding Off The Previous Paint

Note, if you want your paint to permanently stick on the skateboard deck, you’ll have to remove the previous paint beforehand. That’s why we suggest that you use sandpaper to scratch and remove the old paints from the skateboard deck.

To be more specific, in this step, you will have to wear your hand gloves and use a piece of sandpaper to scratch the dirt paint, or any other existing pollutants off. 

Then, to make sure that the paint you’re going to apply sticks to the deck permanently, we suggest that you keep scratching the sandpaper for at least 15 minutes.

4. Clean Off Any Existing Sawdust

After sanding off your skateboard deck, you should notice that some sawdust has accumulated on the deck. Now, it’s time to clean off the sawdust that has been created.

In order to clean out the sawdust, you can use a paintbrush so that the cleaning job does not stay undone. 

One thing to note here is that if you leave out any sawdust on the deck and miss to clean it off, your paint will not stick to the deck. So, be really careful to ensure that the sawdusts are completely cleaned after the sanding process.

5. Securing The Screw Holes With The Tape

Now, grab a transparent tape roll and secure the screw holes and the sides of your skateboard deck. By doing this, you’re effectively protecting your screw holes from getting jammed by paints. 

Also, in the process, you are making sure that the paint will not drip onto the sides of your skateboard deck.

6. Applying A Primer

In order to make sure that the painting job is done evenly in all areas of your skateboard deck, you have to apply primer on the deck. Now, our recommendation is that you apply aerosol primers so that the application of primer is perfectly distributed in all areas of the deck.

As a result, a primer ensures that the painting job you’re doing is durable enough to sustain itself for at least a couple of years.

Now, after applying the aerosol primer to your skateboard deck, you have to let the skateboard deck sit in the open air for about 30 minutes. 

This process will make sure that the primer is completely dried off. Consequently, your skateboard will be ready to be painted.

7. Spring A Base Color

At this point, you’re going to spray a base color on your skateboard deck. And, later on, you’re going to add one or more other colors on top of the base color in order to create an eye-catching painting pattern on your skateboard.

Depending on which type of design/patterns you want on your skateboard, you have to choose a certain color as the background color of your skateboard deck. Remember, evenly applying a base color makes sure that the pattern or design that you were going to paint on your skateboard deck looks attractive. 

Therefore, make sure that the base color is being sprayed evenly on all the areas of your skateboard deck. And, after the spraying is done, let the best color sit on the skateboard for 24 hours, so it can get completely dry.

8. Make A Stencil For Yourself

After you have applied a base color to your skateboard deck, it’s time to make a stencil for the design you’re going to paint on your skateboard deck. In order to make a stencil of your chosen design/pattern, you can either draw a design on paper or you can also print a certain design on paper with a printer.

Now, after the pattern has been drawn on the paper, you have to cut the necessary portions of the pattern, and, in turn, prepare the stencil paper to be used for painting your chosen design on the deck.

9. Attaching The Stencil

Once you have painted your chosen design on paper and cut it to make a stencil out of it, it’s time to stick the stencil on the skateboard deck. In order to stick the stencil to the deck, you’re going to have to use transparent tapes. 

After that, you have to check and verify if the stencil has indeed stably got attached to the skateboard deck or not. 

Why? It’s because, if the stencil is flimsy or not firmly attached, it can get displaced in the middle of the painting process. As a result, it could mess up your whole painting.

10. Applying The Secondary Paint

If you are completely sure that the stencil has been attached to its place, now, it’s time to apply the secondary paint to your stencil. So go grab a spray paint and steadily apply the spray paint on the stencil.

Now, in this process, be careful not to apply the spray paint outside the stencil. Remember, if by any chance the secondary paint is applied outside the stencil, your painting job can get really messed up.

11. Removing the Stencil

After applying the secondary paint to your stencil, you can detach the tapes and remove the stencil at once. After that, just let the paint sit on the skateboard for 24 hours, so it can get completely dried.

Once the painting has dried, you can rest assured that it won’t get removed very easily. And, at the same time, you should realize that you just finished painting your skateboard. Congrats!!

How To Apply Paints Over The Deck Of The Skateboard?

In order to easily apply paint over your previous paint, you need to follow the steps below:

1. Disassemble and remove all the components of your skateboard including the wheels, the trucks, etc.

2. Apply sandpapers on the old paint in a mild manner. Do not entirely remove the old paint.

3. Clean off any sawdust from the surface of the skateboard.

4. Use aerosol primer on the skateboard deck, so it is prepared to take the painting.

5. Make a stencil for yourself and use tapes to attach the stencil paper to the skateboard deck. 

6. Now, apply spray paint of your selected color on the stencil. Make sure not to spray outside the stencil.

7. Remove the stencil from your skateboard deck. Let the paint sit on the skateboard deck for 24 hours.

Now, if you want to add an extra layer of base color over the previous color of your skateboard deck, you can add an extra step (between step 4 and step 5) in the process to add a base paint to the skateboard deck. 

Remember, your college-going boards are always painted with multiple base colors and patterns. So, don’t forget to personalize your skateboard by utilizing multiple colors.

How To Paint On A Skateboard With Acrylic Color?

The process of painting your skateboard with acrylic paint is the same as the above-mentioned steps, with just an extra step. 

More specifically, if you want to paint your skateboard with acrylic paints, you need to take apart all the components of your skateboard and use sandpaper to clean off the previous paints (or, do a mild sanding off if you want to keep the previous paint).

After that, you can apply to spray paint to give a base color for your acrylic paintings. Then, you have to use an acrylic matte medium, so the acrylic painting completely sticks to the spray-painted base. We suggest that you use the Golden Acrylic Fluid Matte Medium – 32 oz Jar.

At last, once you have applied the matte medium, it’s time to paint your skateboard deck with your desired acrylic color. Also, in this step, you can make any design/pattern of your liking with the acrylic color.

What Type Of Paints Should I Use On My Skateboard?

You can use two types of paints on your skateboard: spray paints and acrylic paints. However, you can also use both types at the same time and make your own customized pattern of colors as well. 

While spray paint is best suited as a base color,

acrylic paints can be used to draw custom designs/patterns on the spray paint base. Furthermore, you can also use stencils in order to make custom designs with spray paints.

Remember, the best skateboards for pops, jumps, and flips are always best suited to be painted with multiple colors of different types. So, if your skateboard is also painted with different colors, you’re sure to catch a lot of attention from your pals.

Is It Possible To Paint The Bottom Side Of A Skateboard? 

Yes, it is possible. In fact, it is quite recommended that you paint the bottom side of your skateboard deck with the base color of the design you are going to paint on your skateboard’s upper side. 

I mean, it wouldn’t be very nice to see a skateboard having one color on the upper side and another color on the bottom, right?

That’s why, when you’re painting your skateboard deck, we recommend that you paint the bottom side as well. This way, the color and painting of your skateboard will look more professional and less chaotic. 

Is It Possible To Paint The Bottom Side Of A Skateboard With Acrylic Color?

Although it’s not very common to see, it is possible to have your skateboard deck’s bottom painted with acrylic paintings. Painting the bottom side of the skateboard is especially suited for those skateboards which are used for popping.

That’s why the best skateboards for pop are always painted on both sides and their decks. Therefore, if you have acrylic paint in your home, you should utilize the paint right away by drawing up your desired pattern/design on the backside of your skateboard deck.

Is It Mandatory To Sand A Skateboard Before Painting?

No, the sanding process is not absolutely mandatory. However, it is highly recommended that you sand through the surface of your skateboard deck, so the color can permanently sit on the surface. 

Furthermore, since sanding the deck clears away any existing dirt, rust, paint rust, etc, sanding before applying the paint is highly beneficial for the durability of the paint. But, if you want to apply paint without sanding the skateboard deck, you can absolutely do so. 

How Can You Prepare Your Skateboard For Painting?

The preparation process for your skateboard deck includes several steps such as taking the wheels and the truck apart, sanding the deck with sandpaper, cleaning any existing dirt and sawdust, applying primer, and applying a base color.

Now, although the above-mentioned procedures are most commonly followed, you can skip or add some extra steps according to your need as well.  

For instance, if you want to apply spray paints on stencils, you’ll also have to prepare a stencil alongside the above-mentioned steps. 

On the other hand, if you want to apply acrylic painting, you’ll have to apply an acrylic matte medium on the spray paint, so the acrylic color can permanently stick to the skateboard deck.

How Do I Paint On A Really Old Skateboard?

If your skateboard is really old, you’ll have to give more time to the sanding process. This way, you can easily smoothen the rough surface of the old skateboard deck. As a result, the paint you apply will stick to the old skateboard’s deck just like it would stick to a new skateboard’s deck.

However, if your old skateboard is a very cheap one, you need to apply an extra amount of primer to ensure that the color you’re going to apply binds with the surface permanently. 

Remember, cheap skateboards such as skateboards under 50$ or 60$ need extra care during the time of painting because they are made from low-quality material.

Also, you will have to apply a thicker layer of spray paint / acrylic paint in order to make sure that the scratches, bruises, and cavities are covered by the paint. Consequently, you’ll have a completely new-looking skateboard to yourself.

Painting Skateboard Video Tutorial

Conclusion

Now that you have gone through this discussion of ours, you should have a crystal clear idea of how to paint a skateboard. However, the bottom line of this discussion is that painting your skateboard is a process that completely depends on your preference.

This means, you can customize the painting process according to your will and make necessary modifications in the application of paints as you see fit. 

But, in whichever way you paint your skateboard, we wholeheartedly suggest that you wear safety equipment such as gloves, glasses, etc, at the time of painting. That way, you can stay safe and apply your full concentration in the painting job. Best of luck to you!!

Read also: Custom Skateboard Helmet [7 Steps With a Stickerbomb Video]