Rim marring

[alaskey2]

After two years of a flat tire not able to find someone to help I ran to harbor freight and got some tire irons. Whoopsie, totally forgot about rim protectors. The irons dug right into the aluminum rims which brings me to the question.

How much rim damage is too much? Once I realized what was happening I stopped snapped the picture and got rim protectors, but the damage is done.

[Radioguylogs]

That is no problem, assuming the inside of the rim doesn't have significant gouging.

You can see from the shape of the tire, most of the sealing occurs on the lip inside of the wheel rim edge.

JAT, you can smooth those gouges with a file and sandpaper- but then you'll want to polish the whole wheel (where it's not painted)

[alaskey2]

Thanks
It's probably best to take the whole tire off and inspect.

[jetmechmarty]

JAT, you can smooth those gouges with a file and sandpaper- but then you'll want to polish the whole wheel (where it's not painted)

I concur. Use file. then sandpaper. followed by polish.

It's probably best to take the whole tire off and inspect.

That will make it easier to do your blend repair.

BTW, is your wheel marked "SUITABLE FOR TUBELESS" in one of the spokes? If not, it's designed to run with a tube installed.

[alaskey2]

It's a 78, drilled for rim locks and all. No tubeless for me. I'm concerned about complete wheel failure instead of air leak.

[cajun31]

After two years of a flat tire not able to find someone to help I ran to harbor freight and got some tire irons. Whoopsie, totally forgot about rim protectors. The irons dug right into the aluminum rims which brings me to the question.

How much rim damage is too much? Once I realized what was happening I stopped snapped the picture and got rim protectors, but the damage is done.

I have seen worse and have cleaned up worse. As has been stated those can be worked out.

[alaskey2]

I have seen worse and have cleaned up worse. As has been stated those can be worked out.

I guess my follow up is. Do they have to be worked out? Is it cosmetic at this point?

[2WheelFun]

Cosmetic, if it's holding air you didn't mar the sealing surface where the bead seats.

[cajun31]

I guess my follow up is. Do they have to be worked out? Is it cosmetic at this point?

Based on the fact that you said no tubeless for you it is for sure cosmetic.

[alaskey2]

Okay, tips for getting the valve stem through the rim? I did the tire halfway, then I fed the tube in but can't get the stem in the hole. I tried stem in the rim first but then I couldn't get the tube under the bead.

[alaskey2]

Well... I ruined that tube.

[cajun31]

Well... I ruined that tube.

sounds like the bead is not broke loose. That and use some soapy water to make things slippery.

[2WheelFun]

Just curious as to why you want tubes. My valve stems had washers and a nut, ez peazy.

[DiverRay]

What I do is: 1. put on one side of the tire bead. 2. Insert tube by putting the valve in and then work the tube into the tire. 3. start the second beat at the valve stem, going both directions by hand as best you can and then using tire irons. Keep PLENTY of soapy water on the tire beads. This works with NEW tires. If the tire you have IS the old one in the picture, and is over six years old, DO NOT TRY TO MOUNT IT!!

[alaskey2]

Just curious as to why you want tubes. My valve stems had washers and a nut, ez peazy.

I have a 78. The wheels are not tubeless. I don't have a choice.