Balancing tires

[terry1]

I have a good picture of "the mark" on my new slick:
I can not post the pic for some reason.
If some one would PM me their email addy I would send them
the picture and maybe they could post it.
I would like some one to see the "mark" just to show
that I'm not going crazy!!!
Terry K

[Myron Piatek]

I've always balanced slicks & fronts. White mark across from the valve stem helps track any slippage on the rim (no tubes) and rotating the slicks from side to side after each race helps keep the tires near the original mounting location & balance.

[Keith 944]

Yes I would like to see this Mark I know about Street tires having the paint dots on them for this purpose but I’ve never noticed anything on a slick so a picture would be helpful also like most people, I use stick on wheel weights and tape except i use aluminum tape not duct tape if the duct tape gets brake fluid or any cleaners on it it seems to really make a mess the aluminum tape seems to work a lot better

[1720]

The "mark" you mention? My slicks don't have one like that, but I try and line up the valve stem with the date code box...which may be the same idea. Bubble balance only, no tubes or screws used on Radial Slicks!

[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.