Removing OEM Adhesive Wheel Weights - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

JML · 11-01-2009, 10:57 AM

I had new tires mounted on my Mazda 17" wheels, and the shop didn't fully remove the tape residue left on the inner surface of the wheel from the old wheel weights. This stuff seemed to be incredibly strong double-sided foam tape (that's how many of these weights are made). Solvents alone would not remove the glue, and I had to use Scraperite plastic "razor blade" scrapers and an orange-oil solvent together to get everything off, followed by some Flitz metal polish. Hopefully this will save someone else some time and grief when this has to be done. It took me about two hours to get all the stuff off all four wheels!

3M adhesive remover probably would have worked. But I was afraid it would also remove the paint, and it's highly toxic/carcinogenic because it's a blend of xylene, naphtha, ethylbenzene, toluene, and benzene.

jzack · 11-03-2009, 12:10 AM

Not sure - but might have helped to use a heat gun (or blow dryer) to warm the glue up a bit. That trick usually works on a number of adhesives -- but it's still a pain getting all the residue off....

JML · 11-03-2009, 09:03 AM

The heat gun might have helped, but the sticky stuff was behind spokes, which would have been hard to reach without possibly overheating the wheel paint on the spoke adjacent to the glue. And the adhesive used on the weights is, judging by the descriptions by makers of the stuff, very heat-resistant because it has to withstand the heat generated by brakes. So I don't know, and I hope I never have to do this job again.

ttshark · 11-07-2009, 05:35 PM

I just scraped it off. Bit of muscle no probs.

To make it easier take the wheel off :P

Also, chances are that exact same spot on the wheel won't be used for weights for a long time. The wheel fluxes over time so every when you go to get new tyres the shape is different.
The weight location at some shops is determined by a computer so the liklihood that it will be in that same spot is not very prominent. The "span" of the weights also differs. They may be concentrated in one spot (badly bent wheel) or spread out (good condition wheel). Plus the weights have great glue so even if there is residue, it will still stick over the top.

ps. always avoid potholes.

11-01-2009, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
JML Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I had new tires mounted on my Mazda 17" wheels, and the shop didn't fully remove the tape residue left on the inner surface of the wheel from the old wheel weights. This stuff seemed to be incredibly strong double-sided foam tape (that's how many of these weights are made). Solvents alone would not remove the glue, and I had to use Scraperite plastic "razor blade" scrapers and an orange-oil solvent together to get everything off, followed by some Flitz metal polish. Hopefully this will save someone else some time and grief when this has to be done. It took me about two hours to get all the stuff off all four wheels! 3M adhesive remover probably would have worked. But I was afraid it would also remove the paint, and it's highly toxic/carcinogenic because it's a blend of xylene, naphtha, ethylbenzene, toluene, and benzene. __________________ 2008 Mazda6 5-door i-Touring (Volcanic Red)

11-03-2009, 09:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
JML Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	The heat gun might have helped, but the sticky stuff was behind spokes, which would have been hard to reach without possibly overheating the wheel paint on the spoke adjacent to the glue. And the adhesive used on the weights is, judging by the descriptions by makers of the stuff, very heat-resistant because it has to withstand the heat generated by brakes. So I don't know, and I hope I never have to do this job again. __________________ 2008 Mazda6 5-door i-Touring (Volcanic Red)

11-07-2009, 05:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
ttshark Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 423 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I just scraped it off. Bit of muscle no probs. To make it easier take the wheel off :P Also, chances are that exact same spot on the wheel won't be used for weights for a long time. The wheel fluxes over time so every when you go to get new tyres the shape is different. The weight location at some shops is determined by a computer so the liklihood that it will be in that same spot is not very prominent. The "span" of the weights also differs. They may be concentrated in one spot (badly bent wheel) or spread out (good condition wheel). Plus the weights have great glue so even if there is residue, it will still stick over the top. ps. always avoid potholes. __________________ 2002 Mazda 6 Manual 2.3L I-4 Australian Model (Jap Spec) 10.6:1 High Comp Mods: BC Racing Coilovers \| Injen CAI \| Advanced Timing \| Yellow Fog Lights \| 18" Mazda RX-8 Wheels \| Raybrig 4500K Parker Bulbs \| ipod Connection \| Fluoro Orange Rocker Cover \| Custom Grounding Kit \| Breather Filter \| Apexi Auto Timer \| PCV Oil Catch Can \| RDA Front Slotted Rotors \| ACRE Pads \| NGK Plug Wires \| Red Interior Lights \| Honda S2000 Gearknob \| HIDs \| Corksport Front/Rear Strut \| Exedy Sports Organic Clutch

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11-03-2009, 12:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
jzack Learners License Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Not sure - but might have helped to use a heat gun (or blow dryer) to warm the glue up a bit. That trick usually works on a number of adhesives -- but it's still a pain getting all the residue off....