Air Tank Tire Bead Seater Blaster Frequency Use?

Every time. I've done the starter fluid method and I wouldn't recommend it. Too much potential for something to go wrong. Personally I avoid mounting/dismounting tires as much as possible. I'd rather a tire shop take care of it.

 

I've found it to be a 50/50 crap shoot whether or not you need the bead blaster. I hate the ether trick mostly because I'm not good at it and singe my hair lol. I will use ether in pinch if I'm pit some where but I just grab the bead blaster at the yard.

 

Ether works good for most tires. But it’s dangerous.

 

I don't think it'd be necessary to rotate the tires on the rims per se. If you swap left side tires with right side tires they'd be rotating the opposite direction anyways.

 

Just get the bead blaster. Much safer. I think they're about $100.


My uncle did the ether trick for years, and he was good at it. He did all his tire work outside this little shanty he called his shed. He's also an avid Hunter, and had several beagles in a kennel next to the shed. The dogs knew what to do everytime they saw him come out the shed with a can of ether, a propane torch, and air hose. They'd all hide in their dogboxes.

 

If your mounting recaps you will need to use the bead blaster on every one nearly. The cheaper the brand also the more it is needed even when brand new. New brand name rubber will air up with nothing extra. Take the valve core out to get more air volume in from the get go.

While ether may have once been used in the industry for tire mounting, now it's just for youtubers trying to put on a show. With a good bead blaster there is no need for it.

On the rare occasion I had to use 2 bead blasters on one tire. The rubber was ice cold and sucked together and the wheel was far from new. On the side of the road no less. Dont play that game anymore.

 

This equipment isn't "1 time use" disposal.
Buy what you need. Over the years you can save a lot of money.

Make your own blaster if you can't afford to buy one. PVC fittings and a truck or trailer air tank.

I carry a torque wrench and socket in truck. Just to check torque when I need tire change on the road.

Good luck

 

Our shop had the blaster and also a strap. The strap would tighten around the tire causing the beads to spread apart against the rim, then air through the stem (sometimes rolling the tire) would get the job done.

I did have to do the "ether trick" once on a road call where I forgot to take the proper equipment. It work surprising well - but makes me nervous. I've since seem it done on YouTube many times and seems to be a good method when necessary (if you don't get too carry away and over spray).