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Padel racket care: how to make a racket last, and what can be repaired

By the Lobwell Padel team. Updated 1 November 2026.

Short answer: Most padel racket damage comes from three things: scraping the top of the frame on the glass or turf, heat from a car boot, and hard knocks between rackets. Fit frame protector tape, store the racket in a thermal cover at room temperature and change the overgrip often. Small paint chips and loose grips are easy to fix; a cracked frame or a face separating from the core usually means a new racket.

A professional padel player leaps into an overhead smash on a blue indoor court, his reflection mirrored in the glass wall.
Photo: Harpagornis, CC BY-SA 4.0

The five habits that matter most

  • Fit frame protector tape before your first session. It takes the scrapes instead of the frame.
  • Never leave the racket in the car. EVA cores soften in heat and stiffen in cold.
  • Keep it in a cover or a padded bag sleeve, away from keys, bottles and other rackets.
  • Change the overgrip when it goes shiny, so the racket does not twist out of your hand.
  • Do not tap the racket on the floor or the glass between points. Small knocks add up.

Heat, cold and the UK car boot

A padel racket's core is foam, usually EVA, bonded to carbon or glass fibre faces with resin. Heat softens EVA and can stress the bond between core and face. On a sunny afternoon a car boot can get far hotter than the air outside, so a racket left there is at risk. Cold has the opposite effect: the core stiffens and the racket feels harder until it warms up.

Bring the racket indoors after you play and keep it at room temperature. A thermal cover, foil lined like ours, slows the temperature change on the drive to and from the court.

A row of floodlit outdoor padel courts at night, with players on the green turf and picnic tables on the lawn.
Photo: Thomas Roberts, CC BY-SA 2.0

Protecting the frame

Low defensive shots near the glass and the turf take a toll on the top of the frame. Protector tape is a clear or coloured polyurethane strip that runs over the top edge. It costs a few pounds, adds very little weight and can be replaced when it wears through. Fit it on a clean, dry frame, warm it slightly in your hands, and press it down from the centre outwards. Our full guide is padel racket protector.

What can and cannot be repaired

Some independent repairers offer frame fixes with resin and carbon patches. Results vary, the balance usually changes and it may not be worth it on a racket under £100.

Common damage and what to do
Damage Fixable? What to do
Paint chips on the frame Yes Clean, dab with model paint or nail varnish, cover with protector tape
Scuffs on the face Cosmetic Leave them; they do not change play
Worn or torn overgrip Yes Replace it in two minutes
Flat or loose base grip Yes Replace the base grip and add an overgrip
Frayed wrist cord Yes Replace the cord; it is compulsory under FIP rules
Small crack in the paint only Usually Tape it and watch it. If it spreads or creaks, stop using the racket
Crack through the frame No Retire the racket; it can fail suddenly
Face lifting from the core No Retire it; the feel will be uneven and it can get worse
Rattle inside Rarely Loose foam or resin. If it affects play, replace it
A packed indoor arena surrounds a blue padel show court on a red floor, seen from the top of the stands.
Photo: Harpagornis, CC BY-SA 4.0

Cleaning the face

Ball felt and court dust build up on the face, especially on rough surfaces. Wipe it with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then dry it. Do not soak the racket or use solvents, which can damage paint and resin. A soft brush helps clear dirt from textured faces. Clean the holes too, since sand can collect in them on outdoor courts.

  1. 1Damp cloth

    Warm water and a drop of washing up liquid. Wring the cloth out well.

  2. 2Wipe the face

    Work in small circles. Use a soft brush on rough or sand textured faces.

  3. 3Clear the holes

    Blow or tap out sand and grit.

  4. 4Dry and store

    Pat dry, leave it out of its cover for half an hour, then store at room temperature.

Grip and cord care

A sweaty overgrip left in a zipped bag smells and loses tack fast. Unzip the cover or bag pocket after play so the handle dries. Check the wrist cord for fraying every few weeks: you must wear it, and it is what keeps a racket from flying into the glass if it slips. See how to regrip a padel racket and the padel overgrips and grips range.

How long should a racket last?

With good care, a racket for a once or twice a week player commonly gives a year or two of useful life before the core loses noticeable liveliness, longer for occasional players. Heavy users and players who hit hard on stiff rackets will wear one out sooner. The signs to look for are in when to replace a padel racket. Carrying a second racket in a padel bag also spreads the wear.

Questions people ask

Can a cracked padel racket be repaired?

A crack in the paint only can be taped and watched. A crack through the frame or a face separating from the core is not worth repairing; replace the racket.

Does heat damage padel rackets?

Yes. Heat softens the EVA core and can weaken the bond between core and face. Do not leave rackets in hot cars.

Should I put tape on my padel racket?

Yes. Frame protector tape takes the scrapes from the glass and turf and is the cheapest way to make a racket last longer.

How do I clean a padel racket?

Wipe the face with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, clear sand from the holes and let it dry before storing.

Sources

Keep reading

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