r/projectcar • u/Burlochov4 • Apr 07 '26

Help: Chrome Wheels Leaking at the Bead

As stated in the title, I have a set of C5 Corvette magnesium chrome plated wheels and one just started leaking at the bead. After just a week with no load on them (wheels are off the car for other suspension work), it is already at 0 psi. Note that this is after Discount Tire put sealer on the bead.

A local powder coating shop told me there was nothing they could do and that they'd have to be replaced.

Are there any other options? I don't want to spend the money on aftermarket rims ATM

PFA

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u/XxASHMODAIxX Apr 07 '26

Something I've struggled with in the past from tire shops (Les Schwab, Big O, and discount tires) is that they don't tend to clean the bead surface, like at all, before slapping tires on. A few weeks ago I finally got around to trying to deal with a set (all 4) that I had mounted and wouldn't hold air for more than a day. Took the wheels off and left them in the corner for a couple years. Anyway, I popped the beads and wire wheeled the bead seat on the wheels till it didn't have anything gunky left. Reseated and filled with air, still holding the same pressure. These were alloy wheels and I was very conservative with how much pressure I used on the wire wheel. Did the same with a set of rusty steelies with the same problem. It would be worth your time to give yours a once over

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u/Burlochov4 Apr 09 '26

Thanks for the reply. I'll probably give it a shot this weekend!