Tire machine trick to not scratch painted wheels?

[Nickmm]

Hello guys,

Question for you. My tire shop fails to understand when I bring in a $275.00 wheel, I don't want a damn ring scratched all the way around it. Their excuse is it just can't be helped.

I have 18x11 with 285/30-18s I have to get installed... I had one done for mock up and I don't want to bring them 3 more wheels to F up. I know these are large and difficult to work with, but wtf?

So, any tips to not mess up the finish? I'm thinking a good quality tape, plastidip, something like that over the lip may help. This is the part that's getting ruined. Any ideas to those of you who deal with tires often?

Here are the wheels, btw. I like the style quite a bit. They won out over a set of SSRs I was considering.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CKL3DW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dust Devil]

Supposed to use plastic sleeve over rod.

 

[IOWNJUNK]

If I can mount 18's on aluminum rims with a Tractor Supply tire changer without putting a scratch on them then so can someone who does it for a living. I think you need to find another shop.

 

[Mark118]

I've observed the process of changing tires on some of my alloy wheels (18" and 17") and it seems that with the right equipment, done correctly, there is no physical contact between the equipment and the wheel, except where it is secured to the machine. I'd look for a shop that has the proper capabilities.

 

[rlitman]

I've observed the process of changing tires on some of my alloy wheels (18" and 17") and it seems that with the right equipment, done correctly, there is no physical contact between the equipment and the wheel, except where it is secured to the machine. I'd look for a shop that has the proper capabilities.

The best machines are "no touch" machines. Either that's what they're using, or they're going to touch your rims. It isn't a matter of technique.

 

[rsanter]

The best machines are "no touch" machines. Either that's what they're using, or they're going to touch your rims. It isn't a matter of technique.

This
Find a different shop with a newer better machine

Bob

 

[Smokeshow69]

I was a tire tech. This can be done with a mid to upper level tire machine or even do it old school with some bars The shop you are using employs either idiots or inexperienced techs. Find another shop!

 

[Nickmm]

Supposed to use plastic sleeve over rod.

I wish they had this piece. Their tool has an arm that goes over the outer lip of the wheel, and drags the bead of the tire into the rim. This is what scratches the wheel.

I will call around for a "no touch" machine.

However, is it possible to find/buy a plastic rod for this machine? If so I will inquire. But yea, especially consideirng they want75/wheel to scratch my wheels, I'm finding a new place.

 

[shockwave]

usually that size will be best changed reverse mount style where the face of the wheel is down and use rag of plastic guard under iron


but i would stay away from any rim clamp style machines i think hunter makes some of the better tire changers but make sure they are not using rim clamp style where whole base is metel

 

[Fcvapor05]

Seriously- if you're taking high-end wheels to a shop that is scratching them, find another shop.

 

[Dust Devil]

Seriously- if you're taking high-end wheels to a shop that is scratching them, find another shop.

^^^^^This^^^^^^

 

[colin39]

I fitted 2 x 295/30-19 runflats on an amg merc today with no problems at all. No silly plastic covers no silly sleeve on my bar just a good machine thats set right and tight and the correct tyre soap removing and re installing the tyre.

 

[theoldwizard1]

No-mar Mount/Demount Bar

 

[jayoldschool]

I wish they had this piece. Their tool has an arm that goes over the outer lip of the wheel, and drags the bead of the tire into the rim. This is what scratches the wheel.

I will call around for a "no touch" machine.

However, is it possible to find/buy a plastic rod for this machine? If so I will inquire. But yea, especially consideirng they want75/wheel to scratch my wheels, I'm finding a new place.

That is a no-touch machine, they are just using it wrong. That shoe should be clamped ABOVE the lip of the wheel, not ON it. As the wheel spins, the bead gets pulled down, rubbing on the shoe, not on the wheel.

Go stop by your local high school. They'll actually know how to mount tires, and they'll probably do it for free.

 

[Chuck122]

Having changed tire professionally for a while, I can tell you it is a matter of technique. I have mounted run-flats, low-pro's and all on regular old school machines and the bar never even cam close to touch the rim. Those in the know know that changing tires fast and well takes skill and/or expensive equipements

 

[pop pop]

I'm thinking the OEM guys put them on from the back?

 

[rice rocket]

If I can mount 18's on aluminum rims with a Tractor Supply tire changer without putting a scratch on them then so can someone who does it for a living. I think you need to find another shop.

Really? How long is your bar?

And I'm guessing they're not 30-series tires like the OP has.

I mounted 265/70-17's pretty easily with a manual changer, but there's no way in hell I'd try anything lower than a 45 series, let alone a 30 series tire.

 

[stage20]

i keep a set of "rim protectors" around for this same thing. even the best guys can have a slip up, but if this is happening all the time, find a new shop. the guys at the local discount tire have a nice machine.

good way to find a shop that mounts tires is drive around and look in their parking lot. you want to see some lowered imports or maybe even a truck or suv with some big chrome wheels. this is the shop you want to mount your tires. employees have similar interests as you and will respect your wheels like their own.

you show up at a shop with a pile of tires throwed everywhere out back and trucks with mud all over them, billly bob doesnt understand the level of service you are looking for.

im serious. LOL

 

[66354dream]

I was a tire tech for a while to, The machine we had was outdated big time but had plastic "inserts" to protect wheels from scratches we were able to do expensive wheels both factory and aftermarket without a scratch, find another tire shop that actually cares.

 

[IOWNJUNK]

Really? How long is your bar?

And I'm guessing they're not 30-series tires like the OP has.

I mounted 265/70-17's pretty easily with a manual changer, but there's no way in hell I'd try anything lower than a 45 series, let alone a 30 series tire.

Ha, got me. Supposed to be an apostrophe, not feet. And no, they aren't 30 series (didn't catch that in OP), I can see a lower profile tire giving someone a lot of trouble with a manual changer. If I had to guess, I would say a 60/65 series is the lowest profile I have ever changed. Mostly trailer and truck tires.

 

[jayoldschool]

A 30 series tire is tough if it's a 205. Not if it's a 285

 

[rice rocket]

A 30 series tire is tough if it's a 205. Not if it's a 285

Really? You'd do a 3.4" sidewall on a manual tire machine?

And they don't make 205/30's anyways.

 

[stage20]

i remember when 205/40/16 first came out and all the tire shops are like "we cant mount them" there was only one or two shops in town that would do it. took years it seemed for everyone to catch on. how times change.

 

[ironmutt]

i can tell you the duck head makes a difference on the machine . we went to plastic head but i would still turn you away for bringing in a 285/30/18 and i want to know where you are getting nice rims that size for 275 thats around what i pay for factory rims from the junk yard on a lot of cars . most the time a scratch on rim happens when a weight is left on but since say these are new and tires are new it can also be a stiff side wall scraping the rim as its rolled over the rim lip with out enough lube

 

[tdkkart]

I just had a 245/45/20 repaired the other day, not a single part of the tire machine touched the face of my rim at any point in the process.
There's no excuse for being in the tire biz with a crappy machine, the no-touch machines
are old enough now they're on the used market fairly reasonable.

 

[theoldwizard1]

It IS possible to mount those tires without a machine. It will take 2 possibly 3 people

Start with a piece of carpet on the garage floor. Place the rim face down so you are mounting from the back side. If there will be any scratches, they will be back rim edge.

Using a tire mounting paste lube (or the original paste Murphy's Oil Soap), lube the face of the front bead. Press the tire bead over the rim edge and into the "drop center" of the rim and have one person hold it there. (It is very important that you understand what I just said ! Watch NO-Mar YouTube videos) If the bead is in the drop center on one side and the opposite bead face is properly lubed, the bead should slip over the rim possibly without a spoon. Additional hands may be required to prevent the parts of the bead already over the rim from slipping off. Usually the first bead will go over the rim edge without tools, if you are keeping the bead opposite of where you are working in the drop center.

The second bead is done more or less the same. You need to keep both the top and bottom bead in the drop center. Use small blocks of wood to help keep the top bead (currently on the bottom) in the proper location. Lube the areas of the tire and rim edge that have to slide over the rim. You may need a spoon to get the last bit over the rim edge. Hitting the tire with a non-metal hammer at the point it is stuck sometime works.


The keys to the whole process are LUBRICATION and keeping the portion of the bead already over the edge of the rim IN THE DROP CENTER !

 

[rednotch]

Supposed to use plastic sleeve over rod.

a chain store using a plastic head rim clamp mount on every damn wheel that comes in is still going to scratch the finish putting on a low pro tire. The plastic heads get chewed up by the steel wheels and lazy kids working them, a chewed up plastic head will mar the finish. Most people won't ever notice it. someone who is **** about it will. I suggest they don't go to a chain store for them and find a high end rim shop that doesn't beat the hell out of their machine.

I'm just glad I got out of that job before the stretched tires **** started. Talk about liability.

 

[Nickmm]

i can tell you the duck head makes a difference on the machine . we went to plastic head but i would still turn you away for bringing in a 285/30/18 and i want to know where you are getting nice rims that size for 275 thats around what i pay for factory rims from the junk yard on a lot of cars . most the time a scratch on rim happens when a weight is left on but since say these are new and tires are new it can also be a stiff side wall scraping the rim as its rolled over the rim lip with out enough lube

I think I linked it in amazon. But SSR and TRW are good rim manufacturers who both offer rims in 18x9-18x11.5 or 18x10.5. My rim is 18x10.5 not 10, my mistake. I had a lot more options than you may think. If you go to the subie forum nasioc, you find a lot of the 5x114.5 subaru wheels in this 18x9-18x11.5 range. Not a ton, but subarus, 350z and one other car use these as I was browsing. The TRWs are a really nice bargain though, and my tires on discount helped seal the deal. My other wheels will be 15" with specialty track tires, still working on that. I think the TRWs are as cheap an option as it gets, but others in the range:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CKL3DW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...sw-nurburgring-forged-lightweight-wheels.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y3I3M8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K85M4QK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Nickmm]

It IS possible to mount those tires without a machine. It will take 2 possibly 3 people

Start with a piece of carpet on the garage floor. Place the rim face down so you are mounting from the back side. If there will be any scratches, they will be back rim edge.

Using a tire mounting paste lube (or the original paste Murphy's Oil Soap), lube the face of the front bead. Press the tire bead over the rim edge and into the "drop center" of the rim and have one person hold it there. (It is very important that you understand what I just said ! Watch NO-Mar YouTube videos) If the bead is in the drop center on one side and the opposite bead face is properly lubed, the bead should slip over the rim possibly without a spoon. Additional hands may be required to prevent the parts of the bead already over the rim from slipping off. Usually the first bead will go over the rim edge without tools, if you are keeping the bead opposite of where you are working in the drop center.

The second bead is done more or less the same. You need to keep both the top and bottom bead in the drop center. Use small blocks of wood to help keep the top bead (currently on the bottom) in the proper location. Lube the areas of the tire and rim edge that have to slide over the rim. You may need a spoon to get the last bit over the rim edge. Hitting the tire with a non-metal hammer at the point it is stuck sometime works.


The keys to the whole process are LUBRICATION and keeping the portion of the bead already over the edge of the rim IN THE DROP CENTER !

I have little to lose trying this out. I'll give it a shot. Doing new tires, it doesn't sound so bad. I will have to get a tire spoon and bar set. Thanks for the tips.

http://tires.about.com/od/understanding_tires/a/Wheel-Anatomy-201-Beads-And-Flanges.htm
http://tires.about.com/od/tire_wheel_galleries/ig/Article-Photos/wheel_diagram_500.htm

 

[WhiffySpark]

A 30 series tire is tough if it's a 205. Not if it's a 285

Shows how much experience you have.

 

[bwringer]

Go down to the 'hood and look for a shop with a bunch of 22" and larger rims out front secured with hefty locking cables. These guys have a demanding clientele and will have the skills and equipment to do it right.

There's simply no excuse for scratching rims.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have little to lose trying this out. I'll give it a shot. Doing new tires, it doesn't sound so bad. I will have to get a tire spoon and bar set.

You don't need a bar unless you have a clamping device with a center post. Spoons, lube, some hardwood blocks, a non scratching surface to work on and technique are really all that is required to install new tires.

I have seen folks use regular pry bars instead of spoons.

Put a couple of layers of electrical tape on the bar where it will contact the rim. Insert it between the bead and the rim with the curved end pointing up. Once in place, roll it 180° degrees so the curved end is down.

I will tell you, wide, low profile tires can be a real ***** because you almost have to get the tread to fold to keep the bead in the drop center. This is where the wood blocks help. (Watch the No-mar videos on YouTube.)

The No-Mar tire changers are the best manual tire changers out there. Pricey, but very good. The Northern Hydraulic manual tire machine is pretty good (better than the HF one). You need some padding (carpet) on the base where the rim rests and something between the center post "nut" and the rim. Then go buy the No-Mar mount/demount bar !

 

[Nickmm]

I may start doing my own tires, if I can get it down easy enough. Summer/winger changeouts every season on my Mazda 3. the 18s are not seasonl changers.

Thanks for the tips guys. I prefer to bring it to a shop for time sake, but I'm going to try one and see how it goes.

 

[fsae0607]

I've had decent luck with my home manual changer by wrapping the tire iron contact points with clear packing tape and using plenty of lube. Ghetto yes, but it works.

 

[Dust Devil]

Silicone spray makes an awesome tire lube.

We use this at the shop

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/942/35719/Pro-Honda-Silicone-Spray

 

[rice rocket]

Or you can just buy the right stuff.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...re-Mounting-RuGlyde/_/R-BK_7651338_0361134381

 

[Dust Devil]

Silicone spray is made for lubricating and conditioning rubber......how is that not the right stuff? We are a Honda dealership so we have plenty of Pro Honda silicone spray, why go to Napa?

We have a coats tire machine but we still hand mount all tires so I guess we are wierd......

 

[kiatech]

It takes practice and the right equipment. Ive mounted 25 series on 28 inch rims with out a scratch but I had LOTS of practice.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I may start doing my own tires, if I can get it down easy enough. Summer/winter changeouts every season on my Mazda 3.

If you are going to unmount and then mount 4 tires twice a year, by hand, even with a manual machine, it will get old quick ! Go buy a set of used rims.

 

[GuyllFyre]

I find that a diluted solution of dish soap works better for tire mounting lube than anything else I've tried.

If your shop is marring the rim, just go to a better shop.

There's five around me, one is completely mobile, and I know two of the people personally at two of the other places.

Low profile? No problem.
Stretched? No problem.

The shop you went to is full of idiots.
Go to a better shop.