I learned the hard way about protecting cultural value. Years ago, I acquired a fantastic piece of street art on canvas—not one of our decks, but a traditional painting. I loved the energy it brought to my first apartment, hanging directly opposite a window. After a year, I took it down to move it and saw the difference: the sun had subtly, but irreversibly, bleached the most vibrant reds and blues. It was a crushing lesson: your skateboard art collection is an investment in time and culture, and like any investment, it requires meticulous, conscious care.
At DeckArts, we ensure every piece of authentic skateboard graphics is built to last, using premium maple and durable, specialized finishes. But this longevity is only as strong as the environment you create for it. This isn't just about occasionally dusting; it’s about strategic placement, environmental control, and thoughtful maintenance. Here is my definitive guide to caring for your skateboard wall art to ensure it remains a pristine and valuable asset for decades to come.
Placement is Protection: Guarding Against the Elements
The biggest threat to any wall art, whether canvas or custom deck, is the environment immediately surrounding it. Art does not thrive on dramatic shifts.
The Enemy: Sunlight and UV Rays
As I learned in my own experience, direct sunlight is your art's nemesis. The UV radiation accelerates the breakdown of pigments in the ink, leading to irreversible fading and color shift. This is particularly devastating for vibrant, saturated colors common in contemporary street art. We treat all our decks, especially the highly collectible Limited Edition Collection, with a professional, UV-resistant coating during the final production stage. This is a crucial line of defense, but it only mitigates the risk—it doesn't eliminate it.
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The Rule of Shade: Never hang your skateboard home decor directly opposite a large window where sunlight pours onto it for hours during the day. If that wall is your absolute best aesthetic option, you must invest in museum-grade, UV-filtering film for the window or use blinds and curtains to shield the art during peak sun exposure (typically late morning through mid-afternoon). The investment in solar protection is always less than the cost of replacing faded art.
Temperature and Humidity: The Battle Against Warping
A skateboard deck is a piece of 7-ply maple, a natural, organic material that constantly interacts with its environment. Wood absorbs and releases moisture, which is necessary for its stability. Extreme or fluctuating temperatures and humidity are the fastest ways to cause the wood to warp, crack, or delaminate.
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Avoid Extremes and Instability: Never hang your decks above a direct heat source (like a radiator, vent, or fireplace) or near an entrance or exit point that experiences sharp, sudden temperature changes. The dry, intense heat from radiators can rapidly pull moisture from the wood, leading to warping.
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The Climate Consistency Zone: Aim to keep the humidity level in the display area stable, ideally between 40% and 60%. Areas like kitchens (steam, grease) and bathrooms (high humidity fluctuation) should be avoided for your most valued pieces, such as those from our Street Artist Series. If you want more details on the material's inherent stability, read The Complete Guide to 7-Ply Maple Quality.
The Cleaning Ritual: Gentle Care for Skateboard Wall Art
Cleaning your deck art should be a simple, non-abrasive ritual performed perhaps once or twice a year. Over-cleaning or using the wrong product can be far more damaging than simple neglect.
Dusting: The Soft Touch and Why It Matters
Dust is not merely unsightly; it’s an abrasive material that can slowly dull the finish and, in high concentrations, attract moisture and even harbor micro-organisms.
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Use Microfiber Only: The sole tool you should use is a clean, dry, soft microfiber cloth or a very soft, natural-hair brush (like a cosmetic brush). Gently wipe the deck surface and the sides, following the grain of the wood. This removes dust without scratching the protective coating.
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The No-Chemical Rule: Never use dusting sprays, ammonia-based cleaners, or harsh chemicals. These substances can break down the UV-protective finish and cause irreparable damage to the custom inks beneath. Never use a damp cloth. Introducing moisture unnecessarily risks penetrating the protective layer and damaging the wood over time.
Hardware Maintenance: Checking the Mount
Your artistic investment is only secure if it's properly mounted and the hardware is stable. If you used high-quality, discreet wall mounts, they are designed for security, but an annual inspection is still essential.
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Tighten and Inspect Annually: Once a year, gently check the mount to ensure all screws or fixings are still secure in the wall and the deck is sitting tightly against its support system. Even slight movement over time can lead to wear and tear or minor surface rubbing. If you used a professional installation, a quick visual check should suffice. For detailed mounting instructions, refer back to our comprehensive guide, How to Mount Skateboard Art.
Insuring and Documenting Your Collection
Caring for your art also means caring for its financial and historical paperwork. This is a critical component of maintaining value.
Documentation is Value
For all your limited edition skateboard purchases, you must create a secure physical and digital archive. Keep the artist's certificate of authenticity, the specific edition number (e.g., 25/100), and the purchase receipt in a secure folder. This paperwork validates the piece's history, authenticates the edition number, and greatly simplifies the process if you ever choose to sell or need to make an insurance claim. This is especially vital for pieces that rely on scarcity, like the exclusive items you find in our catalog.
Insurance Coverage and Appraisal
Your standard home insurance often has low, blanket limits for fine art and collectibles. As your collection of skateboard home decor grows and increases in value, contact your insurer to add a specific "Art Rider" or endorsement to your policy. This ensures that the replacement value of your specific, custom skateboard art pieces is covered in the event of theft, fire, or accidental damage. Periodically, refer to our catalog and comparable sales to keep your appraisal values up-to-date, ensuring you are adequately covered for the true value of your cultural assets.
By taking these preventative and documentary steps—controlling the environment, performing gentle maintenance, and maintaining clear provenance—you ensure that the vibrant culture captured on your deck remains an enduring, beautiful, and valuable fixture in your home.
About the Author
The true thrill of DeckArts is providing art that is built with integrity—from the 7-ply maple we use to the UV-resistant inks. But my work doesn't stop when the deck ships. I view my role as a custodian of street culture, and that means educating collectors on how to preserve the value and beauty of the art they bring into their homes. I'm Stanislav Arnautov, and my personal collection has taught me that the lifecycle of art is a continuous journey. Caring for your collection is the final, crucial step in honouring the artist's original work and securing your investment.
Find me sharing my latest thoughts on art conservation and design: Instagram @rntv and stasarnautov.com.