Balancing tires

[west coast]

I am no tire guy but this is great info on mounting and balancing since I do my own. Ok here is a dumb observation, what is the purpose of the duct tape, because the adhesive on the stick on weight seems to be way stronger then duct tape. Duct tape rip’s right off and I usually have to spend about 10 minutes getting off the wheel weights and adhesive off and cleaned up. Am I the only one that has thought this, where did the duct tape thing come from?

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by west coast

I am no tire guy but this is great info on mounting and balancing since I do my own. Ok here is a dumb observation, what is the purpose of the duct tape, because the adhesive on the stick on weight seems to be way stronger then duct tape. Duct tape rip’s right off and I usually have to spend about 10 minutes getting off the wheel weights and adhesive off and cleaned up. Am I the only one that has thought this, where did the duct tape thing come from?

Duct Tape helps to seal the tape on weight adhesive from the elements - dirt, water, etc. that will cause the adhesive to lose its grip. That's what I was told by Firestone 40 years ago.

[Keith 944]

Yes that’s exactly what it does, protects the adhesive on the weights. if you accidentally get some brake cleaner on it you will see why

[nhramnl]

Originally Posted by Keith 944

Yes that’s exactly what it does, protects the adhesive on the weights. if you accidentally get some brake cleaner on it you will see why

In an earlier post, you mentioned that you prefer "aluminum tape" to duct tape. i admit that I don't know exactly what that is. Is it the tape that some HVAC guys use on duct joints? And why do you prefer it to duct tape? I'm looking for a better alternative to duct tape (have been looking for years), because it never completely conforms to the shape of the wheel weight, and ends up lifting, over time.

[KRatcliff]

Originally Posted by nhramnl

In an earlier post, you mentioned that you prefer "aluminum tape" to duct tape. i admit that I don't know exactly what that is. Is it the tape that some HVAC guys use on duct joints? And why do you prefer it to duct tape? I'm looking for a better alternative to duct tape (have been looking for years), because it never completely conforms to the shape of the wheel weight, and ends up lifting, over time.

Kind of ironic that we put duct tape on an aluminum wheel and aluminum tape on an air conditioner duct.

[Lenny5160]

I don't mount my own, but I'm pretty sure my Hoosier radials have a yellow dot that gets lined up with the valve stem.

Everything of mine gets spin-balanced.

[Keith 944]

Originally Posted by nhramnl

In an earlier post, you mentioned that you prefer "aluminum tape" to duct tape. i admit that I don't know exactly what that is. Is it the tape that some HVAC guys use on duct joints? And why do you prefer it to duct tape? I'm looking for a better alternative to duct tape (have been looking for years), because it never completely conforms to the shape of the wheel weight, and ends up lifting, over time.

I believe it is used in HVAC. We used it for masking aircraft windows before striping the paint. Anyway, yes it conforms to the shape bettter and wet stuff won't get through it . Pretty sure you can buy it in lowes/home depot. i use 2" wide rolls sticks very well and i have never lost a weight with it. i even put it over other "hammer on" weights for insurance.... try it, you will not go back to ducktape for this purpose
for a side note, i have changed from using generic duck tape to "gorilla tape" for general duck tape use, that is some strong stuff!!!
here is an example of the aluminum tape...


https://www.walmart.com/ip/JVCC-AF20...yABEgIluvD_BwE

[mtkawboy]

There is a huge difference in strength of Duct tapes. T-Rex Brute Force is expensive but it really strong. Gaffers tape is another one that's really good. The Chinese stuff is worthless

[terry1]

Thanks "1720", for posting the "mark" dot on the slick.
See, I'm not that crazy?
Then again........
Terry K