KOBO Paddle Care & Maintenance Guide

Protect Your Investment

Your KOBO paddle is precision engineered to deliver exceptional performance and durability. Proper care helps maintain its appearance, preserve its performance and maximize its service life. Whether you own the Thunder AXE Infinity or another KOBO paddle, following these care recommendations will help ensure years of reliable play.

Before Every Match

Before stepping onto the court, take a few moments to inspect your paddle:

• Check the paddle face for cracks, chips or unusual damage.
• Ensure the edge protection tape is securely attached.
• Confirm the grip is clean, dry and firmly attached.
• If you notice unusual rattling, loose components or structural damage, discontinue use and contact KOBO Customer Support.

A quick inspection before every match helps identify potential issues early and keeps your paddle performing at its best.

Daily Care

After every playing session:

• Wipe the paddle face with a clean microfiber cloth to remove ball residue, dust and dirt.
• If necessary, lightly dampen the cloth with clean water.
• Dry the paddle completely before storing.
• Store the paddle inside the supplied KOBO paddle cover whenever it is not in use.

A few seconds of routine care after each game helps keep your paddle performing at its best.

Cleaning Your Paddle

The carbon fiber face requires very little maintenance.

For normal cleaning:

• Use a soft microfiber cloth.
• Use clean water or a paddle cleaner specifically designed for carbon fiber pickleball paddles.
• Dry the paddle completely before storing.

Never use:

• Magic Erasers
• Abrasive pads
• Steel wool
• Acetone
• Paint thinner
• Bleach
• Alcohol-based solvents
• Household cleaners containing harsh chemicals

These products can permanently damage the textured playing surface and decorative finish.

Carbon Fiber Face Care

The raw carbon fiber face is engineered to provide consistent spin and ball control. After normal play you may notice:

• Ball marks
• Light discoloration
• Surface polishing in high-contact areas

These are normal cosmetic signs of use and do not affect paddle performance.

Never sand, polish or refinish the hitting surface.

Protecting the Textured Surface

The textured carbon fiber surface is one of the most important performance features of your paddle. To preserve maximum spin:

• Never use abrasive cleaners.
• Never scrape the paddle face with hard objects.
• Never attempt to polish the hitting surface.

Proper cleaning is all that is required.

Edge Protection Tape

Every Thunder AXE includes two complimentary KOBO Edge Protection Tapes. The tape is designed to:

• Protect the paddle edge from cosmetic wear.
• Reduce damage caused by normal court contact.
• Help maintain the paddle's appearance.

Replace the tape whenever it becomes worn or damaged.

Important: Edge protection tape helps reduce cosmetic wear only. It cannot prevent damage caused by severe impacts, dropping the paddle or striking hard objects.

Edge protection tape is considered a consumable accessory and is not covered under warranty.

Paddle Cover

Every Thunder AXE includes a custom KOBO paddle cover. Always use the cover during storage and transportation. The cover helps protect against:

• Scratches
• Dust
• UV exposure
• Minor impacts during transport

Avoid placing heavy objects on top of the covered paddle.

Grip Care

Grip performance naturally decreases with regular use. To maximize grip life:

• Keep the grip clean and dry.
• Allow the grip to air dry after playing in humid conditions.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture.
• Replace the grip when it becomes smooth, slippery or excessively worn.

Replacing a worn grip restores comfort and control.

Temperature Protection

Extreme temperatures are one of the leading causes of paddle damage. Never leave your paddle:

• Inside a parked vehicle.
• In direct sunlight for extended periods.
• Near heaters or fireplaces.
• Inside freezing vehicles overnight.

Excessive heat may weaken the bonding materials used during manufacturing. Extreme cold may reduce impact resistance. For best performance, store your paddle between 10°C and 30°C (50°F–86°F).

Water & Moisture

KOBO paddles are designed for outdoor play but should never be submerged in water. If your paddle becomes wet:

• Dry it immediately.
• Allow it to air dry completely before placing it inside the paddle cover.

Avoid prolonged exposure to heavy rain or standing water.

Transportation

When transporting your paddle:

• Always use the supplied paddle cover.
• Avoid placing heavy equipment on top of the paddle.
• Protect it from sharp impacts during travel.
• Avoid dropping the paddle onto hard surfaces.

Although KOBO paddles are built for durability, unnecessary impacts can shorten the life of any performance paddle.

Court Contact

Occasional light contact with the court during play is normal. Repeated scraping or striking concrete, asphalt, fences, benches or walls may cause cosmetic or structural damage.

Edge protection tape helps reduce cosmetic wear but cannot prevent damage from significant impacts.

Long-Term Storage

If storing your paddle for several weeks or longer:

• Clean the paddle thoroughly.
• Store it inside the paddle cover.
• Keep it in a cool, dry location.
• Avoid damp basements or hot garages.
• Do not place heavy objects on top of the paddle.

Proper storage helps maintain long-term performance.

Normal Wear

The following are considered normal wear and are not manufacturing defects:

• Ball marks
• Minor scratches
• Small paint chips
• Cosmetic edge wear
• Grip wear
• Worn edge protection tape
• Minor surface polishing from repeated ball contact

These cosmetic changes are expected with regular play.

What Is Not Covered Under Warranty

The KOBO Limited Warranty does not cover damage caused by:

• Abuse or misuse.
• Intentional impacts.
• Striking fences, walls or hard objects.
• Excessive heat.
• Improper storage.
• Unauthorized modifications.
• Normal cosmetic wear.
• Worn grips.
• Worn edge protection tape.
• Damage caused by accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave my paddle inside my car?

No. Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can become extremely high and may damage the internal bonding materials.

Can I use a Magic Eraser?

No. Magic Erasers are abrasive and may remove the engineered textured carbon fiber surface.

Can I wash my paddle?

Yes. Wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth and dry it completely before storing.

Should I replace the edge protection tape?

Yes. Replace the tape whenever it becomes worn to help protect the paddle edge from cosmetic damage.

Should I replace my grip?

Yes. Replace the grip whenever it becomes slippery, compressed or excessively worn.

Are ball marks normal?

Yes. Ball marks and light cosmetic wear are completely normal and do not affect paddle performance.

KOBO Care Tips

Treat your KOBO paddle like any premium piece of sports equipment.

• ✓ Keep it clean.
• ✓ Keep it dry.
• ✓ Store it in the paddle cover.
• ✓ Avoid extreme temperatures.
• ✓ Replace worn edge protection tape.
• ✓ Replace worn grips.
• ✓ Inspect your paddle before every match.

With proper care, your KOBO paddle is built to deliver outstanding performance for many games to come.

Thank you for choosing KOBO.

Engineered for players who demand more.