shacky

My original chrome sawblades still look great. But, one after another this summer they developed a slow leak. The tire shop showed me that the rim surface inside the tire was oxidizing and making rough edges around the tire seal. They did a good job sealing them up with black goo, but now I have been hearing about nitrogen in tires.

I don't believe the supposed benefits are real and it sounds pretty close to a scam to me, BUT I got thinking....would nitrogen in my tires halt oxidation of the rims inside the tire cavity?

Searched and didn't find anything on this...would appreciate some thoughts from the great minds here.

MK 82

No oxygen-no oxidation.

shacky

That's what I was thinking, but I was wondering if the logic was flawed somehow.

CorvetteMike2024

What happens if you get a low tire somewhere you dont have your nitrogen source? If you put air in it you will contaminate the nitrogen

Klondike

I think a tire installer somewhere along the line used dirty water to lube and seat the bead instead of the clean tire bead seat solution, and the trapped moisture started the corrosion. Just my $.02 worth. The nitrogen would be dryer than just compressed humidity for sure. I bet people in New Orleans must have a heck of a time with all the moisture from compressors going into their tires!

shacky

That's exactly right. But there are something like 12,000 locations that supply nitrogen for tires. See this: http://www.getnitrogen.org/

Lots of people are using nitrogen in their tires and as I mentioned in my first post, I don't buy the sales pitch. BUT, in my case of having rim seals compromised because of oxidation, maybe it would be worth it to halt further oxidation.

I just posted this to see what others thought and I agree with the idea that no oxygen means no oxidation.

96polovette

If they're already oxidized, nitrogen alone won't fix the slow leaks. Dismount the tires and polish the inside of the rims especially at the lips where it meets the edge of the tires. Then remount and fill with your choice of nitrogen or air. Mine are the OEM aluminum wheels, I wet sanded and polished the inside lips. The aluminum alloy forms a surface layer that is resistant to oxidation so I never bothered using nitrogen.

CorvetteMike2024

How often do you get a flat next to one of those 12,000 filling stations?

shacky

Thanks for your help.

SunCr

A complete myth - short of pulling a vacuum (which would probably collapse the tire), there is no way to displace the moisture or air that's allready inplace when you fill it. Absolute pressure is really what's in there and that's what you put in it plus atmospheric - whatever miracle air you're shoving in it isn't displacing anything. Why this BS exists eludes me. If you have oxidation it's either normal or the aftermarket supplier built on the cheap. If you want to end it or keep it under control, buy a rattle can of clear coat and spray away.

CorvetteMike2024

Thank you. Well said.

mphy98

here at the dealership we use nitrogen to stabilize the air pressure in the tires. that is what it was designed to do. nothing else. it will not protect rims. there are plenty of tire dealers and new car dealers that will refill a low tire at no charge. to alieve the full vacuum question, most dealers will deflate tires, inflate with nitrogen, deflate then inflate with nitrogen again. it is never 100% but gets close to 85%.