Tape over wheel balance weights

[ducatiman]

I have just had the tyres put on to the wheels and balanced and these just have the standard stick on balance weights.

What tape can people recommend to ensure that the balance weights don't fall of in the future.

[turbonutter]

If the wheel is clean when they are stuck on they shouldn't come off! I have never lost one on either of my stratos replicas...
When I was sprinting I used to put Gaffer tape on them...

[Monte76]

The first two times I had my wheels balanced the weights kept falling off, very strange as the wheels were well prepared. Even the tyre guy was confused.

It wasn't too big a deal as to keep the period look I wanted to tape over my weights anyway, as per most race teams I use aluminium foil tape and it works perfectly. I also asked them to put the weights on the outside of the rim which isn't something they tend to do these days.

Vince.

[ducatiman]

Hi Vince
That is exactly what has happened with my weights, the just fell off after being balanced. Again the preparation had been done correctly.

Andy

[GrahamH]

I second Vinces use of silver tape. Used on some race cars too. Sticks well and forms over the weights. Needs proper degrease tho. If the weights are falling off must be the prep for the bond or the adhesive on the weight. Most tyre guys I've observed give a wipe with a dirty rag and thinners or solvent. Cleaner prep and good amount of degrease should sort it. Or the weights used these days have a poorer adhesive. All bonding is about the glue and the prep. I had a weight fall off my smart rear wheel and the weight was still sticky, poor prep.
Decent brake cleaner , clean rag and degrease at least 5 times should do it. The wheels may have a silicone polish on from new.
Go for the foil to make sure,