Tyre service – top 10 products How to choose tyre service and car repair tools
Looking for some equipment for your tyre service? Not sure what to begin with? It might seem that everybody knows how to choose wheel weights, tyre valves or tyre mounting paste. However, the very fact that you have been choosing a certain product does not mean it was the best choice. So – – get to know our short guide on choosing the best tyre bay consumables and machines.
Let’s start with wheel weights. What should you know while choosing them? How to pick the best adhesive and clip-on counterweights? Learn more below!
Clip-on weights for steel rims
As you know, clip-on weights can be used both for steel and alloy wheels. They can be made of three materials;
- lead
- zinc
- steel
CAUTION!
There are weights made of steel and plastic but they rarely appear on the European market. They are particularly popular in Canada, though.
Which material is the best?
Lead weights for steel rims
Most tyre bay specialists choose lead weights, as they are easy to put on the rim. The material is flexible, so it fits the rim perfectly. Plus to that, it is resistant to the elements. And – lead wheel weights are just cheaper than those made of other materials.
Why is that so? Well, the manufacturing process is just less complicated. Lead would not require that high temperatures for melting, which means lower energy consumption. You need to remember though that using products made of lead in passenger cars is forbidden since 1 July 2005.
Zinc wheel weights
Zinc wheel weights could be a great alternative. They are as easy to put on as lead ones. In addition, they might be used all over European Union. And – they are perfectly resistant to corrosion.
Also, they are resistant to scratches – even more than steel weights.
Clip-on weights for ALU rims
In general, there are some ALU rims where you have to clip the weight on, instead of adhering it. For instance, some older models by Audi, Volvo and RENAULT. So, it’s always a good idea to have a stock of clip-on weights for ALU rims. The rules are just the same as in case of other clip-on weights.
How to choose adhesive wheel weights?
Up to 90% of clients coming up to your tyre bay have ALU rims of a large size. And look to put them on during the summer. After all, these look just great – especially those sized 18″ or 19″. And if you choose the weights correctly, you can rest assured that these rims look even better.
This pertains both to the shape (you got round and edgy), as well as the color – so that it fits the rim. In larger rims, the weight must not look like a part adhered there by force. Instead, it should look as if it were a stock part of the wheel. So, it might be a good idea to have a stock of weights that fit different rims.
Before you choose a certain model of adhesive wheel weights, be sure to check how their surface was protected. How to check that? Be sure to reach out to the seller and ask them about it. Usually, weights are protected with an epoxy surface. Also, galvanizing is another popular way to protect surfaces of weights.
This means, you should not be worried about clients’ driving back with claims about corrosion or other dirt particles. And there are clients that avoid a certain tyre bay due to that!
Tyre mounting paste
What tyre paste are you using at your tyre bay? It matters – take our work for that. Pay attention to the contents of the box. Be sure to check what material is it made of. In general, better choose pastes based on water. Why is that?
- it dries quicker than oil-based ones – so there is no risk of tyre’s moving against the rim
- oil-based pastes are 100% safe for the rubber
So – read the box before choosing one!
Impact wrench – choose it properly!
No matter if you are working at a tyre service or car repair garage – an impact wrench is just essential. So, it’s extremely important to choose one correctly. So – how to choose an impact wrench? Pay attention to:
- max. torque
- torque setting (how many positions)
- the wrench’s casing (better choose composite than metal)
- air consumpiton
Why is it important ? Learn more here: https://redats.com/blog/2019/07/22/how-to-choose-an-impact-wrench/
Tyre changers
You often query us about the choice between a semi-automatic and automatic tyre changer. And the answer is – it depends. To put it simply, the difference lies in the way that you set the arm:
- semi-automatic – you do it manually
- automatic – the arm is set automatically – using a pedal
What does that mean for you? An automatic tyre changer allows for much quicker operation. So, a unit like that is a must-have for larger tyre bays. In case of semi-automatic ones, they are a good choice for garages where dealing with tyres is just one thing that the company provides.
Another things – wheel sizes. Be sure to check what wheel sizes it is able to deal with. You can check it by looking at the clamping parameter:
- external
- internal
The external clamping matters for ALU rims. The internal clamping matters for steel rims. In order to explain this, we will describe one of the tyre changers we have in our offer – namely, the REDATS M-221-3D1.
- external clamping – 10”-21”
- internal clamping – 12”-24”
This means, you can use this tyre changer for working with the following rims:
- ALU – 10”-20”
- steel – 10”-23”
Wheel balancers
How to choose the right wheel balancer for your tyre service? What to consider while choosing the balancer for you? Get to know the most essential facts that you have to remember about.
Similarly to tyre changers, it is important to choose a wheel balancer that provides comfortable operation with wheels that you work with at your tyre bay.
- rim width,
- rim diameter,
- rim weight.
What parameters are perfect? For working with passenger cars, you can consider wheel balancers able to deal with rims sized to 20″. How about rim diameter? The minimum is 24″.
