Tired of jerkin' meself off w/ the stick-on weights on alloy wheels thing. Seems it's only a matter of time before they decide to depart if left alone.
What's the best tape to tape over stick-on wheel weights? Heat and weather resistant, on for the duration of the tires.
My first choice is helicopter tape. Abrasive resistant, sticks like hell and is formable w/ heat gun w/o losing adhesive properties.
Second would be HVAC foil tape, thinner than heli tape, sticks like hell.
Duct tape is out.
Whattayagot GRM?
I've been using the HVAC tape and have learned not to be stingy in applying it. Good wide margins around the edges are required.
No longer have to get a wheel balanced between run groups at Fleet Farm in Plymouth, WI when at Road America.
Never had a problem with duct tape in Florida heat.
Try Gorilla tape if nothing stays put.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:
ISC Aluminum Foil tape
Is that similar to the HVAC foil tape?
AF race tape as shown is 3.25 mil vs HVAC at 2.0 or 2.5 mil, IIRC.
In reply to fasted58:
It's thick tin foil with really good glue. It works great for wheel weights and passing tech with holes in your firewall. Instant patches. Anything that needs to conform to a shape and not stretch or melt. I keep a couple rolls in the trailer for anything that is too tough a job for duct tape.
Had to look up helicopter tape. And I work on helicopters. We don't call it that though. We call it erosion tape.
You can get the thick weatherproof foil tape at good home improvement stores. Great stuff.
We use duct tape. Never an issue ever.
If you're worried about residue, it comes right off with penetrating oil. It's magic.
I have some Nashua foil tape (1.27-2.0 mil?) that tears a little too easily for this use, great for securing firewall insulation and sealing tho. Have Heli tape too but might not form as well around the weight profile as the foils so I'm kinda sold there.
Mainly looking for protection from the elements in DD situation, heat/ cool cycles, maybe add some retention to the weight stickies, easy inspection at intervals. Life of the tires kinda thing. If a weight flies the foil should at least leave a footprint when it shears of where the weight was as compared to guessing.... which is where I'm at now... long story. I doubt the heli or duct tape would leave that footprint.
Found 3M #425 4.6 mil foil tape that sounds great but way too pricey. Might go w/ the ISC foil tape that GPS suggested, sounds pretty good.
I use the heavy Nashua aluminum tape. I clean the insides of the wheel barrels w/ lacquer thinner and paper towel until there's nothing left that gets the towels dirty before they go to the tire shop. After I get them back I wipe again with Windex to get any dried mounting lube off then another wipe with lacquer thinner. Then I go over the lead tapeweights lightly with a ballpein hammer so they're conforming and well stuck. Then I cut a rectangle w/ rounded corners, stick it to the weights then burnish it down to the wheel, tucked close around the weights.
13" wheels spin very goddamn fast at 140 mph and I've flung weights before, but since using the heavy Nashua it's stayed perfect 'til I peel it off.
Available at Home Despot!
So, I ordered the ISC aluminum foil tape from GPS's link. The other foil tapes looked good but the thicker 3.25 mil sold me, particularly for a street driven car. Price didn't hurt either as compared to the 4.6 mil 3M tape.
It'll get done this week.
