HOW TO: protect the gelcoat under the spare tire

[John E Davies]

This is an easy mod, you just need some heavy urethane film, such as is used on headlights as stone guards. It needs to be thick, not the thin stuff used as a car bra. I used 12mil (0.012”). I noticed that the spare tire was chafing pretty badly in two places, so I decided to install a pair of pads.

 

 

After cleaning with 3M Adhesive Cleaner, all that glop came off, but the gelcoat was pretty scuffed. I used some film I already had, cut a couple of 3”x12” strips, and installed them as per the instructions using soapy water. I laid out some pieces of tape at 5 inches from the tire mount to act as guide lines, and I used a 3 inch rubber roller to get the bubbles out rather than a squeegee or piece of plastic.

 

[attachment file=136477]

 

This area is invisible normally, but I feel better knowing it is protected,and it will stop gel coat from getting on the outer sidewall of the spare. While I was in there I applied RejeX, to get that mirror shine and repell dirt. ... https://www.amazon.com/Rejex-High-Gloss-Protective-Finish/dp/B00GM6NF0I

 

Here is the source for the film I used. ... http://www.giantloopmoto.com/product/vinyl-protective-film/

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

 

 

[Try2Relax]

John,

 

I wonder how much of this is self inflicted, whereas you travel with the cover removed and then a lot on the unbeaten path. I will definitely remove mine at some point, just to check on it, but can't imagine that it will look like yours.

 

But thanks for the tip on what to do if it does.

[Mainiac]

Randy, my thoughts too. Guess we will have to check ours at some point.

[John E Davies]

Well, “Mouse” does get very dusty there, without a doubt! - however, a completely unsealed white cover won’t keep out much dust. If you never drive off pavement at all, then yours may look much better, but I guarantee that eventually there wll be some chafing and gelcoat damage. It is unavoidable due the design which clamps a flexible sidewall against a fixed cosmetic surface.

 

I check the pressure bimonthly, and use the spare in the tire rotation, so I see underneath more than an owner who might never remove it. ? I do think it is worth checking your pressure, cleaning the area, and taking a look, even if you run a TPMS sensor. If you see white staining on your good sidewall, you have a problem. If your tire pressure gets very low, the damage will likely be greater since the sidewall will move much more. Keep the clamp cranked down as hard as possible by hand!

 

It’s an absolutely beautiful piece of craftsmanship but I think the design of the mount could be greatly improved. I would be a happier if the tire could be carried good side out, clamped hard by lug nuts to a flat plate.... at the very least it would make routine access to the valve stem simple, because the factory way is frankly stupid in this regard. Future project, but way down on my Honey Do list!

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

[John E Davies]

Forgot.... if you don’t run a TPMS sensor, you can put this on the spare to let you check and adjust pressure without removing it. I have used these on many cars with “buried” spares, but they may develop a slow leak as the rubber ages, and should probably be replaced about every five years.

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Accu-gage-Chek-Spare-Valve-Extender/dp/B0006O2S8M

 

If I still used the cover, I would drill a hole, add a loose fitting rubber grommet, and have the end of the hose accessible by flipping down the plate holder. If there is room, you could even screw your TPMS sender onto the end of the hose....How very cool is that? I may add the hose to my setup, since I lock the mount and it takes longer to remove the wheel.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

[mossemi]

Hull #193 has about 10,000 miles on and the only off road activity it has seen has been in state park campgrounds and it has similar rub marks from the spare tire.

 

The real reason for this post was because John once mentioned scratching the rim with the hold down ring.  Although I did not share those concerns due to the fact that it was on the inside of the rim, I did know from checking the tire pressure on the spare that there was a fair amount friction on the rim when tightening the hold down ring.  Thus my search for something to act as a washer and some of  you may recognize my orange washer is actually a circle cut out of a 5 gallon Home Depot bucket lid.  I think I get another turn or two on the hold down ring with less friction.

 

I hope someone finds it useful.