REVIEW and INSTALL TIPS for Tred Wear RWL Kit
Tip #1: Despite the instructions stating to clean your tires with "carb cleaner", use your better judgment (I wish I had followed my own advice) and keep that stuff away from your wheels! The brown gunk from that tire shine stuff you've been applying to your tires will dribble down to your wheel and damage the finish on your nice shiny wheel. Use alcohol or vinegar, something not as caustic! Here's proof, directly below the winged foot on my nice Envy wheel. Any tips on how to remove that stain?:
Tip #2: If you can, remove the wheels, I bet it will make the application easier. I did not, and having a narrow garage didn't help either. Remember, after you apply them, you can't move the car for an hour to do the other half, or to reposition it so you can close the garage door.
Tip #3: Do the right side first! That is the side of the car you see less than the left side, because you'll need practice to figure out your technique for
patiently applying the letters. I first used the clear packing tape technique as suggested, but you can't clearly see thru the tape when it comes time to applying the letter to the outline on the tire. That and cutting out 64 pieces of clear tape will take a lot of time! My left front tire RWL alignment ain't the greatest, and I'll now see that every time I walk up to my car. I ended up using hemostats I had laying around from my stoner days. Being able to clip the edge of the letter while applying the glue and holding it steady for your initial approach worked well. The hemos cost about $2 online. (see picture at the bottom)
Tip #4: Take your time! Rushing thru it will give you a not so good looking final result. And when it comes time to attach that letter, you've gotta have a steady hand, because once you place it down, the glue sets in about one second. You gotta move fast if you want to slide it around to get a better alignment. The letter Y gave me hardest time. It's the biggest one, and while you are trying to straighten one half, the other is already stuck on.
Tip #5: Stop by your local Walgreens and buy some 100% acetone nail polish remover before you start, because you will get the industrial strength Super Glue on your fingers. Latex gloves would help, but you won't have that tactile finger tip touch you'll need while handling the letters.
Tip #6: Email the customer service folks at Tred Wear, ask a few questions, I did and they sent me a 10% off coupon code for my purchase. Also tell them you heard about the product here on the ever most popular Challengertalk, and suggest they advertise here, and not that
other Challenger Forum.
Here's a shot of the final product....and now I can clearly see I need some lowering springs! I'll post some full car photo's later. If I remember any other tips, I will add to this post. Time to logoff and go for a drive!:
TOTAL PREP AND INSTALL TIME: AROUND 4 HOURS. :burnout: