Protecting Carbon Fiber Wheels

Protecting Carbon Fiber Wheels

Because carbon fiber wheels are so delicate, cleanliness is next to godliness when mounting and demounting these wheel assemblies.

When a high-end sports car or supercar rolls into your shop, one thing is certain when servicing this type of wheel assembly: those rims are expensive, so protect the wheel at all costs.

This is especially true with today’s composite wheels, and, in particular, carbon fiber wheels.  

Carbon fiber wheels are made from a composite and injected with a resin to create their shape. They’re lighter compared to metal wheels that are made from materials like steel and aluminum. Because of this, they offer a savings of about half of the unsprung weight of a traditional alloy wheel. This reduces the wheel’s rotational mass and leads to better rolling resistance. 

Because more and more carmakers are working to reduce vehicle weight for better fuel economy, carbon fiber wheels are an emerging high-end wheel trend that has started to make its way into the mainstream.  

If you haven’t already, you’ll start seeing more of these wheels in your service lane as sizes become more available. Because carbon fiber wheels are so delicate, cleanliness is next to godliness when mounting and demounting these types of wheel assemblies. Below are a few tips for the next time these wheels roll into your service department.  

Inspection 

It’s important to inspect the tire changer before putting a carbon fiber wheel on it. Make sure the tire changer, as well as its helper devices and other components, are clean. This includes the pedestal, upper and lower roller, and entire leverless duckhead, as well as the center locking mechanism (if you’re using a center-clamp tire changer). 

A rim-clamp tire machine can be used, but it requires a few precautions. Use soft jaws or jaw protectors to protect the wheel.

Protection 

Because of the delicacy of carbon fiber wheels, it’s recommended that the tire mounting paste, as well as the lube brush, be new or completely clean. Dust particles or debris from the tire changer can make their way into the lube, creating an abrasive paste when applied to the wheel. This abrasion could lead to scratches.

On center-clamp tire changers, use a protective cover over the centering cone to protect the wheel face. Don’t drag the locking device over the top of the wheel. 

On rim-clamp machines, always use a poly duckhead and a poly cover over the tire lever. 

In addition, if you have new consumables, replace them. This includes leverless duckhead protective pieces and the center cone on the lock of a center-clamp tire changer.  

Care and Considerations 

When possible, it’s recommended to use a center-clamp tire changer when mounting and demounting delicate wheel assemblies, such as carbon fiber wheels, since nothing touches the back of the wheel.  

When lifting the wheel assembly on the tire changer’s pedestal, be sure to set it down gently to avoid scratching the backside of the wheel and line up the locator pins with the lug holes.   

When you go to lock the wheel, make sure to hold the locking mechanism with two hands — one at the tip and one at the handle — to ensure it doesn’t bump the wheel.  

Once the tire is demounted, clean the entire wheel with a dry cloth. Throughout the tire-changing process, it’s important to use a liberal amount of lube on the tire, in the drop center, on the barrel of the wheel and on both beads.

You May Also Like

Selecting the Ideal Car Lift for EV Servicing

When choosing the right car lift for servicing electric vehicles there are several key factors to consider.

Key Factors in Selecting the Ideal Car Lift for Electric Vehicle Servicing- Coats

The rapid surge in electric vehicles (EVs) has reshaped the automotive industry, necessitating specialized equipment for their servicing needs. One crucial piece of equipment is the car lift, which is pivotal in safely and efficiently maintaining EVs. When choosing the right car lift for servicing electric vehicles there are several key factors to consider. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the key factors you should consider when choosing the ideal car lift for your facility.

Mayhew Introduces 14-Piece Micro Hand Tool Set

This new set is a compilation of all the current micro line products, including pry bars, picks, hooks and screwdrivers.

This new set is a compilation of all the current micro line products from Mayhew; including pry bars, picks, hooks and screwdrivers.
BendPak Offers Space-Saving Full-Rise Scissor Lift

The new BendPak SP-7XE Series of full-rise scissor lifts provides the performance and undercarriage access of traditional two-post lifts in a more compact, space-saving package.

The new BendPak SP-7XE Series of full-rise scissor lifts provides the performance and undercarriage access of traditional two-post lifts in a more compact, space-saving package. Floor- and flush-mount models of this frame-engaging lift are available.
Hunter Engineering Wins Optimizely Award

Hunter employed several Optimizely products to help provide exceptional customer experiences. With the assistance of Optimizely CMS, Hunter’s corporate website Hunter.com saw a 70% increase in monthly average pageviews.

Hunter Engineering Wins Optimizely Award
Collision Careers Launches Digital Campaign to Attract Technicians

Aimed at attracting technicians to the field, the videos highlight various professional roles in collision repair including structural technicians, estimators and electric diagnostics technicians.

collision careers tech shortage

Other Posts

ASE, Dealer Associations Partner to Increase Awareness of Automotive Careers

ASE is partnering with dealer associations to conduct student competitions designed to increase awareness of automotive career opportunities.

young automotive technicians and mechanics
Access Tight Spaces with Mini Angle Die Grinder

The low-weight, ultra-compact design provides added control and maneuverability.

Florida Pneumatic Manufacturing Corporation recently released the AIRCAT 6250 1⁄4” Mini Angle Die Grinder.
Used Car Sourcing and Predictable Appraisal Accuracy

Trade-ins remain essential, so when their owners walk through the door, give them the fairest offer you can — and be sure the spread you need isn’t diluted by appraisal oversights.

Used Car Sourcing and Predictable Appraisal Accuracy
Unlocking Your Dealership’s Hidden Revenue: The Power of Warranty Reimbursements

Partnering with a qualified vendor to ensure you receive what you’re legally owed is more than just advantageous — it’s a necessity.

Unlocking Your Dealership's Hidden Revenue: The Power of Warranty Reimbursements