Lead Adhesive Wheel Weights

Adhesive Wheel Weights - What Surface?
When looking at types of adhesive wheel weights available on the market, you can see that they differ by the type of surface. Here's a short list of surface types you can choose from:
Polymer
Coated
Zinc-plated
What are the differences? Let's think about it!

Polymer Surfaces
These are usually used for adhesive wheel weights made of lead. Did you know there are adhesives based on this material? They are mainly used for motorcycle wheels. And when you compare them with adhesive wheel weights for cars, they are a bit thicker. It is important to know that weights made of lead are not that prone to corrosion like those made of other materials. And one more thing - those adhesive wheel weights cannot be used on rims of cars driving through numerous EU countries.

Adhesive Wheel Weights - Painted Surface
This is just a paint of a certain color. We got them in Edgy shape, for instance - they are in black. Thanks to that, they perfectly fit darker rims.

Obviously, you can find adhesive wheel weights in other colors, too. However, the black ones are the most universal choice - they fit darker rims. Thanks to their color, you can easily hide them behind the wheel spokes.

Adhesive Wheel Weights - Zinc-plated
The zinc-plated weights are galvanized. This means, they are less prone to corrosion - which is an obvious thing if the car is driving through salty roads.

How To Choose Adhesive Wheel Weights?
When on the lookout for the adhesive weights, consider the following:
Design
Surface protection
Ease of mounting on the rim.

How To Choose These?
Design
It's been a long time since most cars had small tyres. By default, most contemporary cars have rims sized 17 or even 18". And roads are getting better all around Europe, so more and more car owners settle for ALU rims. So, here choosing the right wheel weights comes into play.

The larger the rim, the higher the risk that the weight looks like an element that was stuck there as if by accident. It should rather fit the overall rim design - so, it might be a good idea to sort mode silver or black wheel weights.

Before you settle for a certain type of adhesive wheel weights, make sure to check how their surface is protected. Don't be afraid to inquire the seller about it. Usually, adhesive wheel weights are protected using an epoxide surface. Galvanization is another popular method of protecting their surface.

Why Is That So Important?
If the weights are protected that way, they are less prone to corrosion. It also lets them keep their looks for longer.
So you don't have to be afraid about a client coming up and complaining about ugly looks of their rim - be it dirt, be it corrosion. Do not make the clients stay away from your tyre service!

Ease Of Mounting
Ever counted how many cars you work at daily? be it 30. Be it 40. It all takes time. Loads of time. You have to take off every wheel, then balance it, then mount it again. It is time-consuming, isn't it?

Are wheel weights of any importance here? Yes. Quite a huge one. It is important that the tape can easily be taken off the surface. In weights of good quality, the tape sticks out of the edges. You should be able to grab it by hand and take off. Saving a few seconds may not seem like a lot but if you deal with many cars during the day, it makes your work faster.

Is Wheel Weights Expensive ?
Wheel weights are the most inexpensive item installed on a new tire purchase. However, installing the incorrect type can lead to a poor balance. Down the line, that could send the customer back to your store with a ride complaint.

Understanding the tiny difference of each wheel weight material in the market can help your technicians perform a better balance every time.

How Many Types Of Wheel Weights Materials ?
Today, the three most common types of wheel weights in use are made from lead, steel or zinc.They are offered in adhesive or clip-on forms.

Lead wheel weights have been manufactured for decades and are known to be more malleable and denser than zinc and steel. With greater density, a lead weight allows technicians to install a smaller, yet heavier, weight.

But, depending on where you live, you might not legally be allowed to sell, distribute or service a vehicle with lead wheel weights. According to the EPA and the U.S.

Zinc Adhesive And Clip On Wheel Weights.(most Expensive)
Like lead wheel weights, zinc weights are cast and provide a more contoured appearance on the wheel. However, they are also less dense, making them larger on the wheel. In addition, they are harder to produce to tight weight tolerances and are currently under review for environmental impact. There are also no recycling programs available for zinc wheel weights.

Steel Sticky Weights (best Price And Eco-friendly)
Steel wheel weights are becoming an industry standard for health and safety. While they may be larger in size than lead weights, steel weights have the highest density of cost-effective alternatives with no known environmental or health issues. Lower density materials, such as zinc, produce longer weights, so much so that in higher weight increments, the center of gravity of these weights can be below the rim flange, resulting in weight chasing and balance accuracy issues. Wheel weights manufactured from higher density materials such as steel do not have this issue.

Steel adhesive wheel weights are becoming more attractive due to increased availability and quality, and various pricing levels. Steel adhesive wheel weights also offer an colorful advantage since they often come in colors to blend in with aftermarket wheels. For example, steel black adhesive wheel weights are available to use with black-painted wheels to blend in with the color.