Safeguarding against rim damage when having tyres fitted?

[VinceFox]

I've got to order 2 new rears shortly for my car and the wheels i have are powdercoated and completely unmarked, i'm dead fussy about them. One of the fronts received a tiny, tiny nick when i had them done a while ago and i'm a bit nervous about making sure thesedon't get any marks or damage when fitting the new tyres on the rear.

So, has anyone got any sure fire tips for making sure the rims don't get damaged at all when having tyres fitted?

[gf15]

I just had 2 rears on mine. When the fitter was allocated, I went to him and said
1: No air gun please.
2: Be very carefil with the rims, we examined them before he started.
3: There is a £5 in it for him.

Job done.

However I still ended up with oil on my cream floor mat form the guy who drove the car into the bay (different from the guy who changed the tyres).

[VinceFox]

gf15 said:

I just had 2 rears on mine. When the fitter was allocated, I went to him and said
1: No air gun please.
2: Be very carefil with the rims, we examined them before he started.
3: There is a £5 in it for him.

Job done.

However I still ended up with oil on my cream floor mat form the guy who drove the car into the bay (different from the guy who changed the tyres).

The fiver idea is good, i like that.

[TaffRichie]

Its down to the guy fitting the tyres, if its done properly you dont contact any part of the outside of the rim.

[VinceFox]

TaffRichie said:

Its down to the guy fitting the tyres, if its done properly you dont contact any part of the outside of the rim.

I know, i've fitted one or two myself. I understand exactly how it SHOULD work, the hard part is making sure they don't get damaged during fitting by someone else doing it.

[GrahamC230K]

I share your worry too. Been there and had my wheels assaulted more than once.

First off I only go with the wheels clean so it is easilly clear what condition they are in beforehand. I normally have a word with the fitter and explain I am one of these types that like their wheels mint (as they can see) and can they please take extra special care. I tell them of my bad experience elsewhere and that I'm sure they aren't like that at all, but can they please take care anyway. I also always make sure they don't have any ideas about hammer on weights on the outside edge!

Luckilly I have Black Boots (Wheels in Motion) not a million mles from me who are a cut above the norm and such nannying isn't necessary. Anywhere else and I am on edge until the job is done.

[SirSamuelOfBuca]

When I used to change tyres on expensive alloys used to use a leather cloth to put under the bar

[shovelheadrob]

TaffRichie said:

Its down to the guy fitting the tyres, if its done properly you dont contact any part of the outside of the rim.

This is patly true, but they have to clamp the wheel on the machine & this can leave marks on the inner face.

[Daston]

I had some new wheels and tyres arrive for my Supra took them to my local tyre place and they were as good as gold. The manager overlooked the guy doing the fitting and passed me each wheel one done to ensure I was happy with it before it was fitted.

[Ozzie Osmond]

gf15 said:

...my cream floor mat...

Oh dear.

[TaffRichie]

shovelheadrob said:

TaffRichie said:

Its down to the guy fitting the tyres, if its done properly you dont contact any part of the outside of the rim.

This is patly true, but they have to clamp the wheel on the machine & this can leave marks on the inner face.

True, but originally there would of been protective covers or pads depending on the machine, and rubber mats on the base so if done properly... also on some the shape of the grip mean it actually grips above the inner rim edge.

[VinceFox]

Ozzie Osmond said:

gf15 said:

...my cream floor mat...

Oh dear.

[paddyhasneeds]

Go somewhere where you can lurk is my advice. That or go in with spanking clean wheels and make sure you leave in broad daylight.

Basically be nice and polite but make sure they know you're a fussy fker without sounding like you're suggesting they'll do a can-opener on your wheels.

[m8rky]

I often find just talking to the boss or the fitter in a friendly way and explain you are a bit fussy always works.Don't expect them to be so understanding though if you are supplying internet deal tyres for them to fit.
Also when seeking out a firm to do the work a quick judgement on the standard of the cars outside is a good indicator,i.e a local kwik fit that most people would not touch with a bargepole is run by a couple of enthusiasts (nice Sierra Cosworth and Skyline outside) and they will always help out fellow petrolheads.

[Deva Link]

paddyhasneeds said:

Basically be nice and polite but make sure they know you're a fussy fker without sounding like you're suggesting they'll do a can-opener on your wheels.

The trouble is, the usual response is they look at you as if you're some kind of moron.

I took my 18mth old Merc to a well regarded place, Jeffreys in Warrington, to have the rears changed for the first time. The wheels were completely unmarked.

They broke the surface right around the edge of the rim of both wheels and gouged the face of one of them. One of the fitters (not the one who worked on my car) said they were like that already! The manager said to get them refurbed but even MB don't refurb wheels, they replace them, and there was no way they were going to pay for new ones.

Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 22 January 19:05

[windy1]

One of the reasons why I bought the kit to do it myself.

[Platinum]

I had new tyres fitted to my new wheels by Event Tyres. I was very happy with the condition of the wheels after fitting - not marked at all. I was watching them being fitted most of the time though!

[philmots]

Go to a local wheel re furbisher?

If anyone is to take good care it should be them.