I got a nail in my tire and had to get it patched, when the guy took it off he used a crowbar and my wheel as leverage resulting in my painted wheel getting some paint worn off and metal burn.

Is there a special tool tire shops are supposed to use for painted wheels. I tried to stop the guy but figured he knew what he was doing and it was too late before I could say anything.

I used a local guy for this, but I was wondering of any of the retail chains are better?

Costco
NTB
or whatever else. I just dont want my wheels to get scratched to pieces. Luckily the metal rub doesnt look too bad, but it drives me nuts.

Also If i go to Costco they only sell Michelline products, So if I have to replace my wheels will I have to replace all 4 of them (now running Potenzas) guessing my rear tires will go in about 5000 miles

thanks

Summary

1) where is a good place to get a tire change that wont scratch your wheels
2) is there a special tool I should tell them to use or put a towel in between

thanks

 

1. Well, the old style typical tire changer calls for using a metal bar to pry the tire off the wheel.......some shops have a heavy thick plastic/composite bar!!! but you gotta call around....

Plus this style of tire changer has an arm that pulls the bead free........most tire shops have the heavy duty NYLON insert to mount onto this arm to help prevent paint coming off, but it can still happen....

They style im talking about look like this:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...9543_200329543


2. I would look for a high end shop or even a Lexus or BMW dealership to change your tires! reason i say them, is they dont want to have to pay for wheels because they have lexus and bmw owners complaining that their wheels got ruined while changing a flat......etc....

so those dealerships use high end tire changers that dont call for touching the rim at all!!!

im trying to find a picture of one, but in short its a completely different design that mounts the wheel at an angle to the operator and has an arm that does the work..

- J

 

So in short......i say go to a lexus or bmw dealership as everyone of those places seem to have the high end tire changers that do the job with out even coming close to scratching a wheel.......

oh ya, but get ready to pay 30 bucks a tire change/flat fix...

 

With low profile tires its more about the person changing the tires than it is the machine they are using. I'm not aware of any machine that is idiot proof. And I'm sure you've noticed there are many idiots out there.


I mounted my own tires on an 80's era Hunter machine (I have 06-07GT wheels...so 19x10 in the back.)...I didn't want some asshat scratching my wheels...I used a steel bar, a friend, and lots and lots and lots of lube.

 

That's 100% correct.
In other words, good luck trying to find a decent tire shop.
If you read on these boards, most people have had BAD results
with just about all tire shops. Try and find an extremely high end
wheel shop, and maybe you'll get a good result.

 

Thanks for help!

It cost me 35 bucks at my local place, and they scratched my wheel. Now I feel like I just got screwed. guess its a win win going to BMW or someone else.

Plus BMW has to replace a lot of those runflat tires which I have heard are 10 times a difficult to take off the wheel, so im guessing they have state of the art equiptment like you said.

I cant imagine a guy who owns a $100K M6 is going to be just dandy if they knick his rim.

 

You go to a competent tire shop. Ask for recommendations in your regional forum.