WTH is up with tire shops as of late?

PA DETAILER

PA DETAILER

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Upon inspection of my wheels this morning, the tire machine did indeed leave some surface scratches on the faces of the wheels. NOT DEEP GOUGHES, just some scratching. But of course prior, they were not there. I did buff them out this morning, and they do look better. FIRESTONE. I can live with them. But i am really debating if i should contact them over this to see their take?
 
I think it's just people not caring.

I would call them... not sure what you want to get out of it though.
 
Say something, if not for you the next guy. If they're aware maybe it'll be prevented in the future.... Maybe
 
Just called. He said swing it by tomorrow for a look see. He also stated they just had the machines serviced.
 
pro 4x said:
Just called. He said swing it by tomorrow for a look see. He also stated they just had the machines serviced.
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Cool :dblthumb2:

FYI- my husband just got the same tires for his Jeep.
 
They are a highly rated A/T tire. Maiden voyage on them will be today.
 
They all suck. Been saying it for years. You have to take your wheels some place where they refinish wheels as well - so they know about "scratches" and they can refinish them there if they mess them up.

Or, you can take them to the dealer and tell them if they scratch it they will provide a new wheel.


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I used to mount tires for several years. I remeber this one guy, who bought 4 american racing rims through our shop, complained about marring marks that occured on the outer portion of the rim. We went through three sets of rims, and it still didn't turn-out perfect. There was a black piece of plastic of the mounting machine that would, inevitably, touch the rim when mounting a tire and cause a mark on rims w/ soft CC/finish.
The job came my way on the last set. I made sure the rims were clean, cleaned and lubricated that black plastic peice of the machine, used lube that was as thick as snot, and proceeded with caution.
After all that caution and work, marks still appeared after installation.
Even though it's frustrating for everyone involved, many times damage, or "wear & tear" through maintenance, is unavoidable.
 
Yea, i mean they did not trash them, but it should have never happened. I'll be curious to see what they say/do. You pay a hefty price for new tires and should be 100% satisfied.
 
Yes, you're 100% right. I bet the tire guy thinks that too. You would think the machines would not cause any blemeshes to occur.
Did you try any products on the marks? I'm guessing, from what you've stated, they are now permanent.
 
Just an FYI. There are 2 common types of tire machines. On the older, cheaper type - the tire lever drags along the side of the rim. This is what shops commonly call a "steel wheel machine" - although the machine is not sold as such.

Then there is the newer type, where there is a metal arm that looks like a duck bill. The tire lever goes over that - instead of contacting the wheel. This is commonly called a "mag machine" or "aluminum wheel machine" - although it's safe for any wheel.

Although it's possible to use the later machine to scratch a wheel, if used correctly - nothing actually makes contact with the face of the wheel. The other machine must contact the edge of the wheel by design - as its from the time of steel wheels and hubcaps.

If you see a steel wheel machine - run.


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expdetailing said:
I used to mount tires for several years. I remeber this one guy, who bought 4 american racing rims through our shop, complained about marring marks that occured on the outer portion of the rim. We went through three sets of rims, and it still didn't turn-out perfect. There was a black piece of plastic of the mounting machine that would, inevitably, touch the rim when mounting a tire and cause a mark on rims w/ soft CC/finish.
The job came my way on the last set. I made sure the rims were clean, cleaned and lubricated that black plastic peice of the machine, used lube that was as thick as snot, and proceeded with caution.
After all that caution and work, marks still appeared after installation.
Even though it's frustrating for everyone involved, many times damage, or "wear & tear" through maintenance, is unavoidable.
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Bad machine?
 
I was under the assumption that they do their best not to mar them but it happens. After all, the machine has to touch your wheel. It is frustrating though. Paid almost 2500 for my rims and when they put the tires on they marred the center area a little. I saw them take their time. Part of it buffed out but not perfect.
 
OCD Detailing said:
I was under the assumption that they do their best not to mar them but it happens. After all, the machine has to touch your wheel.
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The machine does not have to touch the face of your wheel. There are claws that grasp the wheel from the barrel - but they are covered in rubber. But on a mag machine - there is no contact of the machine and the face of the wheel... Assuming the operator is using it correctly.


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I work right now for a aftermarket performance shop that does wheel mounting/balancing. We deal with all types of rims from stocks to aftermarket and have machines to make sure we don't damage any rims. It's not 100% avoidable, but I do make sure everything is set up properly and lubricated to avoid damage.

I often chat with the customers when they wait for their vehicles and many say they come to us because their rims have gotten damage from places like Firestone or Costco. Not to say that those places do bad work, but their machines may not be the safest ones out there for your rims.

What I'd suggest is to look for aftermarket specialty shops. They may cost more for a mount/balance, but I would pay for that extra piece of mind my rims won't get damaged.
 
swanicyouth said:
The machine does not have to touch the face of your wheel. There are claws that grasp the wheel from the barrel - but they are covered in rubber. But on a mag machine - there is no contact of the machine and the face of the wheel... Assuming the operator is using it correctly.


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Mine had the scuffing by where the lug nuts go. They are inset about 3 inches and around that area they got scuffed. Doesn't seem like scratching but I couldn't get them all out. That was before I started detailing so maybe once I get the new Flex PE8 I can try something with more power rather than my hand. But in the end, they get nicked from rocks anyways, especially at the track. Just had to get the first few nicks then I was able to not stress about it anymore.

But maybe it's old technology I just assumed that dmg can occur as part of the process and they aren't liable, to an extent. I have been wanting to flip my tires on the wheels do to the inside edges getting pretty low on tread and the outsides not as bad, I have just been holding back due to not wanting more dmg, but I guess I have to do it someday.
 
Let me guess...their response will be something like, if there was damage it was already there, you should have checked the car over before you left. I ALWAYS, take pictures of my wheels AND have the service writer note on the order they wheels are NOT damaged in any way prior to service (of course after he and I look them over)
 
swanicyouth said:
They all suck. Been saying it for years. You have to take your wheels some place where they refinish wheels as well - so they know about "scratches" and they can refinish them there if they mess them up.

Or, you can take them to the dealer and tell them if they scratch it they will provide a new wheel.


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Click to expand...
Just about every dealer has wheel refinishing surfaces too.
 
DylansDetailing said:
I work right now for a aftermarket performance shop that does wheel mounting/balandcing.

We deal with all types of rims from stocks to aftermarket and have machines to make sure we don't damage any rims.
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Those machines do cost a pretty penny, but the cost is recouped fairly soon by reputable shops.

DylansDetailing said:
It's not 100% avoidable, but I do make sure everything is set up properly and lubricated to avoid damage.
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Wait a minute!!
I thought you said you have machines to make sure you don't damage any rims?!?! ;)

DylansDetailing said:
What I'd suggest is to look for aftermarket specialty shops. They may cost more for a mount/balance, but I would pay for that matter extra piece of mind my rims won't get damaged.
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It'd be a pretty good bet that they'd be out of business in a heart beat if they damaged a few sets of 24"-30".

DylansDetailing said:
We have machines to make sure we don't damage any rims.
swanicyouth said:
The machine does not have to touch the face of your wheel. There are claws that grasp the wheel from the barrel - but they are covered in rubber. But on a mag machine - there is no contact of the machine and the face of the wheel... Assuming the operator is using it correctly.
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^^^:iagree:^^^

This is an example of one of the "touchless" machines:




Bob
 
UPDATE: Took it up this morning in a downpour of course. Met the manager and we pulled it inside. I took some ww and a towel with me. Under his flashlight, sure enough the scratches on all 4 wheels were there as i pointed them out. OK This is what we will do. We have contact with a company that refinishes wheels and does them on site here. I will call them and set up a appointment for you and provide a rental also for that day. That sounds good to me. Fair enough. They still cant figure how it happened. So in my book i think thats fair.
 
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