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Steve W.[_4_]

wrote:
On Wednesday, December 11, 2013 8:21:49 PM UTC-5, Jim Wilkins wrote:

Speaking of wheel problems, how do you properly seal rim leaks on
steel and aluminum wheels? I haven't had particularly good luck with
Slime on my garden tractor's rusty rims, and now one of the car's
tires is slowly losing air along the bead.

jsw

Break the bead on that side. If it's a steel rim take a STIFF wire brush
to the rust and scale on the bead. Brush on a coat of "rusty metal
primer" then a coat of rustoleum type paint. Then while the paint is
still sticky re-inflate the tire and seat the bead.

If it's aluminum it is a bit more difficult. Basically you do the same
steps, BUT the aluminum will probably be VERY pitted. For that grab a
can of bead sealer (usually at the commercial counter of your local
FLAPS) Runs about 12 bucks for a large can. Apply a coat to the rim and
a coat to the tire. It is basically rubber cement with a binder added.
Re-Inflate and the leak should be gone.

Now IF you wanted to do it the best way and don't want to buy new rims:
Dismount the tires, bead blast the bead areas to remove all the crud,
then TIG up the bad areas and file/sand them back to smooth. Spray with
the proper paing and re-assemble.

As far as lawn tractor stuff. Tube them. BUT clean the rim very well
first, if you used slime be prepared to replace the rims, that stuff
rots steel worse than salt water....

--
Steve W.