Material Prep – Upcycled Skateboard Decks

Project video on YT shorts, < 1 min. https://youtube.com/shorts/zqCCWhxB-Lk?si=Gge8QooH7jQ3jotD

For my upcycling project, I am repurposing old skateboard decks into colorful plywood for making jewelry and possibly a bowl. This project draws inspiration from Bauhaus and De Stijl aesthetics, emphasizing geometric patterns, sharp lines, and bold color contrasts.

Material Collection and Prep

I collected used skateboard decks, each with its level of wear, some were in decent shape and others had both the nose and tail chipping off. The preparation process was as follows, I got the inspiration for how to do this from this YT video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dW18fQ_arQ. Also all of the work listed below was done in the BTU lab in ATLAS.

• Removing Grip Tape: I used a heat gun to soften the adhesive, making it much easier to peel off.
• Stripping Paint and Residue: I then used a convex paint scraper for the top of the board to remove layers of paint, stickers, and any residual grime from the deck’s surface. The biggest problem was this, it took about an hour for the first deck and then ~30 min for the next two each.
• Sanding for a Smooth Finish: Progressing from rough to fine sandpaper, I sanded each board to a 300-grit finish, uncovering vibrant colored layers within the plywood.

One of the most exciting aspects of working with skateboards is the variety of color layerings unique to each deck. Skateboards are constructed from multiple thin veneers of wood, each dyed in different hues. Sanding down the decks reveals, multicolored layers.

Fab Schedule

Now that my wood is prepped, the next steps are as follows.

Finalize sketches and do some test cuts to determine the best way to show layers. Begin cutting and assembling the pieces. Sand the pieces down for detail and a smooth finish. Finish the pieces with MinWax clear finish or some wax/oil.

Sketches