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Guides / Prep a wheel for a stick-on rim protector

Prep a wheel for a stick-on rim protector

Clean and dry the outer lip, then check the temperature, before you press on a stick-on rim protector.

Here's what you need

  • Isopropyl alcohol and water in a 50:50 mix, or the isopropyl alcohol wipes in the kit
  • The directions on the listing for the piece you opened
  1. Check the lip for tire shine, silicone lubricant, and brake-dust repellent wheel cleaner.
  2. Wipe the fitting area with a 50:50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water, in one direction. If the kit includes isopropyl alcohol wipes, use those instead.
  3. Let the lip dry.
  4. Check the wheel temperature before you press the strip on.

Things you should know

  • 3M says most surfaces are prepared by wiping in one direction with a 50:50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water, and that the surface must be dry. RimSavers and Rimblades say to use the isopropyl alcohol wipes in their kits. Rimblades says the wiped area usually dries in under 1 minute.
  • 3M states a desirable tape application range of 21–38°C. Suggested minimums in that guide are 15°C, 10°C, or 0°C, depending on the tape. The 0°C figure is for tape 4951 on high-surface-energy substrates, and for LSE-060WF, LSE-110WF, and LSE-160WF.
  • RimSavers says not to fit in cold or damp conditions unless you use warm air to dry and warm the wheel. In colder conditions, Rimblades says to use a hairdryer so the wheel surface is free of moisture.
  • If the lip has heavy oil or grease, 3M says to cut the oil with a degreaser such as 3M Citrus Cleaner or white spirits, then wipe with the alcohol-and-water mix.
  • Rimblades says tire shine, silicone lubricant, and brake-dust repellent wheel cleaner can prevent bonding. RimSavers says their product won't stick to silicone left by cleaning solutions, or to low-surface-energy coatings and cleaners.
  • Rimblades doesn't recommend their product for a ceramic-coated wheel unless the coating is professionally removed.
  • If the wheel was refinished or repainted, Rimblades says to let the paint cure for at least one week before fitting.
  • If the kit includes an adhesion promoter, RimSavers says to let the primer dry for 5 minutes. Rimblades says to wait 5 minutes, and that their promoter stays effective for up to 20 minutes.
  • RimSavers says to let their tape bond for 24 hours before you drive above 65 km/h (40 mph), and that a full bond takes 72 hours. Rimblades says a usable bond is reached within 24 hours, and a full cure takes about 72 hours.
  • The listing for the piece you opened has the directions for that product.

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