Waterproofing your Foot Pads

⚠️ WARNING: MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

The Onewheel+ comes from the factory with a coat of Oil-Based Polyurethane. This is what makes your foot pads resistant to water. This coating can however come off, particularly if scratched from an accident for instance.

Urethane / Polyurethane touch up

In this tutorial we will cover how to do a "touch up" to maintain the water resistance of your foot pads by reapplying some polyurethane or spar urethane onto the footpads. It is important the Urethane or Polyurethane you are using is Oil based.

Supplies

Oil-based Polyurethane or Spar Urethane
Sandpaper in different grits:
- 100-180 grit to smooth out cracks and dents
- 240-800 grit for finishing
(Optional) Carpenter's Wood Filler, stainable if possible
Mineral spirits or paint thinner (for cleaning)
Paint brushes

Instructions

1. (Optional) Remove the grip tape (see Grip tape replacement for instructions) from the footpad(s). You can also follow the instructions below for a simple "touch up".

2. Sand down the imperfections to obtain a smooth surface (start with the lower grit).

3. (Optional) Fill the holes in the wood with some Carpenter's Wood Filler according to the instructions. Let dry then sand to the appropriate shape.

4. Sand down the entire area where you'll apply the varnish (to ensure the coating "sticks").

5. Apply the polyurethane or (spar) urethane following the manufacturer's instructions.

6. Re-apply as many layers as desired, making sure the layers are completely dry before applying a new coat. If a coat has been drying for over 12 hours, lightly sand before re-coating:

7. You're done! Wait for the varnish to thoroughly dry (24-72 hrs) prior to use. If you removed the grip tape in step one, now you can install a fresh set!