Mounting & balancing tires yourself: Difference between revisions

Line 18:

[[Image:mount balance 1.JPG|150px]]

~~The photo above doesn't show the valve core tool or weights.~~ Use 11" (or so) tire irons, as they're just long enough to forgive sloppy technique but not long enough to give enough leverage to easily bend a rim. Tire lube isn't strictly necessary, but most people find it does make the task easier. So, if you're going that route, buy some purpose-made tire lube. Don't try to make do with something, and '''do not''' use dish soap and water, as that stuff can and will eat at the tire. It is possible to get nasty-looking tires with gooey, melty rubber from dish soap. It's designed to attack grease and oil, and tires are a petroleum product.

Use 11" (or so) tire irons, as they're just long enough to forgive sloppy technique but not long enough to give enough leverage to easily bend a rim. Tire lube isn't strictly necessary, but most people find it does make the task easier. So, if you're going that route, buy some purpose-made tire lube. Don't try to make do with something, and '''do not''' use dish soap and water, as that stuff can and will eat at the tire. It is possible to get nasty-looking tires with gooey, melty rubber from dish soap. It's designed to attack grease and oil, and tires are a petroleum product.

Dish soap is also not kind to your wheels. After a few years, it has eaten away the rim on this one to the point that it will no longer hold air.

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 [[Image:mount balance 1.JPG|150px]]
-The photo above doesn't show the valve core tool or weights. Use 11" (or so) tire irons, as they're just long enough to forgive sloppy technique but not long enough to give enough leverage to easily bend a rim. Tire lube isn't strictly necessary, but most people find it does make the task easier. So, if you're going that route, buy some purpose-made tire lube. Don't try to make do with something, and '''do not''' use dish soap and water, as that stuff can and will eat at the tire. It is possible to get nasty-looking tires with gooey, melty rubber from dish soap. It's designed to attack grease and oil, and tires are a petroleum product.
+Use 11" (or so) tire irons, as they're just long enough to forgive sloppy technique but not long enough to give enough leverage to easily bend a rim. Tire lube isn't strictly necessary, but most people find it does make the task easier. So, if you're going that route, buy some purpose-made tire lube. Don't try to make do with something, and '''do not''' use dish soap and water, as that stuff can and will eat at the tire. It is possible to get nasty-looking tires with gooey, melty rubber from dish soap. It's designed to attack grease and oil, and tires are a petroleum product.
 Dish soap is also not kind to your wheels. After a few years, it has eaten away the rim on this one to the point that it will no longer hold air.