How to Make Your Hoverboard (Swegway) Scratch-Proof

Due to the fact that they can cost quite a bit of money, mini-segway owners are advised to look at ways in which they can protect their boards-especially from scratches, damages and daily wear and tear.

Hoverboards, otherwise known as mini-segways or self-balancing scooters, have been one of the fastest trending gadgets in the last few years, and there have already been more than a dozen different brands which have emerged on the market in recent times. Whilst there are plenty of options available which are relatively affordable, the most expensive scooters can reach up to £1,000-with some fetching an even higher price.

It definitely pays off to do some research beforehand as to how to successfully scratch-proof your hoverboard and protect it from becoming tarnished or dented. The hoverboard is normally classed as being sports equipment, so has been created specifically for outdoor use. Therefore, it will eventually become less pristine and more susceptible to becoming damaged if it is used constantly.

Despite a mini-segway being relatively easy to learn to ride, if you are using one for the first time then it is inevitable that you will probably fall over or crash a scooter on unavoidable obstacles. However, whilst this is unavoidable, there are things which an owner can do in order to protect their board against scrapes and scratches:

1. Foam Tape
Foam tape is a thin strip of foam with tape adhesive on one side. The tape can be applied on the surfaces of the hoverboard in order to safeguard it from bumps, scratches and scrapes. Aside from the edges and corners of the swegway, one of the best places to apply foam tape to are the wheel arches which cover each wheel on the scooter.

Foam tape is easy to apply, relatively inexpensive and is available in all good DIY shops. But, whilst it will effectively protect your board at first, it can fall apart after getting wet, or even after a small amount of wear and tear, which could prove problematic.

2. Rubber Tape
Rubber tape is comprised of a roll of rubber-like material, with tape adhesive on one side. It is mainly used for insulation purposes and protection against water and electricity, but also works extremely effectively when it comes to protecting your balancing scooter against damage. Rubber tape is best applied on edges and corners of the hoverboard as these areas suffer the most punishment.

Rubber tape is durable, versatile and hard wearing, and can withstand daily wear and tear with ease. However, it is not made for temporary use, and is hard to remove from surfaces once it is applied. Mini-segway owners might want to consider other options if they want something less permanent.

3. Vinyl Decals
Vinyl decals are decorated or coloured stickers with adhesive backs which can be applied to a swegway in order to add a new layer of design and style, as well as provide protection against daily wear and tear. It is advisable to purchase decals which are created specifically for mini-segways as this guarantees 100% satisfaction every time.

Even though most decals are made out of thin vinyl so do not provide much protection compared to other means, they are perfect for owners who want to add a little extra ‘je ne sais quos’ as well as scratch prevention. As far as swegway accessories go, they are an extremely popular choice.

4. Bumper Strips
Bumper strips are plastic or rubber bands which can be applied to devices in order to protect it from bumps and bangs. They are normally intended for unicycles and other rather unorthodox pieces of sporting equipment, but can also be used on self-balancing scooters. Some strips come with adhesives, whilst others may require other types of adhesive in order to be fixed to a surface.

They are designed to protect the body of the device against bumps and crashes, but these strips can be bulky and unwieldy, and will not add anything to the overall aesthetic appeal of a hoverboard. However, if you are a rather rough rider then bumper strips will come in pretty handy.