I've cleaned late-ish MB wheels recently (E320) and found the stick-on wheel weights to be extremely frustrating and time consuming to remove. The lead (?) weights are stuck on with foam which is coated with adhesive on both sides. The only way to remove the weights without wheel damage is by carefully using a hammer and screwdriver (or chisel). The pliers that're normally used to remove the other type of wheel weights (that hook over the rim), just won't grab the stick-ons and if you try and slip, you could damage the wheels. And that's the easy bit!
With the weight gone, you're left with a bit of foam stuck on the inside of the wheel with the self-adhesive. Scraping the foam off with a safety razor blade appears to be the only option, but it's almost guaranteed you'll mark your wheels, even if you're careful. If you do manage to get the foam off, you're still left with the adhesive. So far I've tried to remove it with eycalyptus oil with no luck. I've yet to try goo-remover, acetone, thinners, prepsol, turpentine, or white spirits. I am worried some of these might strip the paint from the wheels.... Does anyone know what will work?? Any other ideas regarding these damn weights?
If you regularly balance your wheels and the tyre shop tries to do the right thing by removing the old weights first, you end up with short strips of black foam stuck all over the inside of your wheels. And that's because they're so difficult and time consuming to remove; it's not viable for the tyre shop to do it and they'd probably damage your wheels if they tried. Hence it's a good idea to personally remove your wheels at least every 12 months and give them a good clean; on the inside! It'll also ensure your wheel bolts aren't overtightened the next time you get a flat!
Pix to follow during the cleaning process.
With the weight gone, you're left with a bit of foam stuck on the inside of the wheel with the self-adhesive. Scraping the foam off with a safety razor blade appears to be the only option, but it's almost guaranteed you'll mark your wheels, even if you're careful. If you do manage to get the foam off, you're still left with the adhesive. So far I've tried to remove it with eycalyptus oil with no luck. I've yet to try goo-remover, acetone, thinners, prepsol, turpentine, or white spirits. I am worried some of these might strip the paint from the wheels.... Does anyone know what will work?? Any other ideas regarding these damn weights?
If you regularly balance your wheels and the tyre shop tries to do the right thing by removing the old weights first, you end up with short strips of black foam stuck all over the inside of your wheels. And that's because they're so difficult and time consuming to remove; it's not viable for the tyre shop to do it and they'd probably damage your wheels if they tried. Hence it's a good idea to personally remove your wheels at least every 12 months and give them a good clean; on the inside! It'll also ensure your wheel bolts aren't overtightened the next time you get a flat!
Pix to follow during the cleaning process.
