tyres leaking

[johnad]

I have recently purchased an old vw golf that has alloy wheels fitted I have found that the tyres was loosing pressure after about two weeks I have found that 3 of them is now not as bad but one in particular needs air every 3 or so days after looking at other posts on the subject and putting some soapy water on the rims I have found that they are leaking around the rim,
Will the spray tyre inflator stuff (not sure what its called) do any good?
How much should it cost to get a fitter to sand and refit the tyre?
Is it possible to deflate the tyre and use some sealant between the tyre and the rim?
Can I remove the tyre myself and sand and seal the rim? (I have good tyre levers and compressor)
Any other suggestions please

 

[JohnD]

my neighbour had this happen with the alloys on his range rover.

when he had new tyres fitted, the fitter used a different kind of lubricating seal (not the usual soft soap stuff), and told him it was to prevent this kind of leakage.

I doubt you could fix it without taking the tyres off.

if you want to polish corrosion off the rims, I would use a wire brush head in an electric drill, rather than sanding it. again I would want to take the tyre off or you may get grit or a wire bristle in the tyre.

 

[johnad]

So could I do this myself, as I would like to spend the time cleaning the rims properly?
Also what should I use to seal the tyre to the rim (and can I get it in a car shop (halfords))etc
Many thanks

 

[JohnD]

sorry I don't know what the product was. if you ring a few tyre shops they should know. The one my neighbour used was not part of a chain, but a family firm that does lots of commercial and unusual work, I once got a used tyre for a vintage car there.

I have polished up alloys with a wire brush and resprayed them, but yours sound like they need it in the well where the tyre seats, and you would probably have to pay a tyre shop to take the tyres off for you first. It is very difficult to take off and put back modern tyres without the pneumatic equipment.

 

[davedasave]

its not a golf gti mark 3 with bbs alloys is it? i have to pump my n/s/f up every 2 weeks and the rest every month, its the wheels themselves that leak, the alloy breaks down, i'm saving up for a new set but this is the only way to cure it

 

[Hitachimad]

Half the tyre fitters around can only fit tyres.... they dont seem to have the brains to forsee a big lump of crud on the seat or rust on the edge of a rim will allow it to leak.
10 seconds with a wire brush...

If its leaking round edge, a bit of bead-seal will do the trick. Independant tyre shops more likely to be of help. Hard work by hand, especially on an alloy