Adhesive wheel balancing weights

[Donald O.]

What is the least damaging way to a aluminum wheel to remove the adhesive attached wheel weights? The weights in question are on the inner side of TTD wheels and not visible until I rotate the tires/wheels. Getting ready for a new set of Diamondback redlines.

Don

[Bob R.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights

Mineral spirits will usually remove the adhesive without damaging anything. Lighter fluid works also.

[Warren M.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights

Prep- sol , grease & wax removal, bug & tar remover . All work well .

[Mark S.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights

3M adhesive cleaner

[James W.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights

I second Mark's response. I also use the 3M Weather Strip Adhesive Cleaner to remove the remaining glue from the knock-off wheels.

James

3M adhesive cleaner

[Paul D.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights

To remove the weights, I use a heat gun (hair dryer would work) and a PLASTIC scraper or PLASTIC razor blade. This will get most out of the way, then use one of the products suggested above to remove the adhesive residue. Chip.

[Duke W.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights

Right... before you remove the residual adhesive you have to scrape off the weight. Harbor Freight sets a set of four plastic scrappers, 1.5 to 5" wide for a couple of bucks. They come in real handy, and the heat gun will make it even easier and virtually impossible to mar the wheel or paint.

Duke

[Donald O.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights - DONE

Only took 3 hours to do the four wheels.
I used plastic scrapers then acetone, WD40, lacquer thinner, paint thinner, and naptha. I didn't use any MEK, Xylene, ot Toluene. Finished with a final cleaning with Awesome and then some spray detailer.

Now to get the new red stripes.

Thanks for all the ideas and tips.

Don

[Paul D.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights - DONE

Don, be aware that depending on what kind of spray detailer you used, you may have left a surface too slick for the weight's adhesive to work properly. I would wipe off with the acetone (or any wax/degreaser) before having balanced. You could always go back and reapply after weights are installed. Chip.

[Donald O.]

Re: Adhesive wheel balancing weights - DONE

Great tip!
Thanks