Can anyone tell me the significance of the paint spots near the bead of many brands of new tires? I've seen red, white and pale yellow spots about the size of a dime or less. I am guessing they have to do with the tire factories measurement of the balance of the tire. If I'm right, I'd like to know if the paint spot is at the heavy or light spot. If it's the light spot, I would assume it should be lined up with the valve. If it's the heavy spot, then I would presume it should be 180ยบ opposite from the valve stem. Would appreciate it if anyone knows for sure what's up with the spots. Thanks.

 

Hello again. I called the tech rep for a major tire Co. and got an answer to this question. It is impossible to make a perfectly round wheel or tire. To accomodate this, the wheel and tire makers have come up with a concept called "match mounting". The paint spot corresponds to the high spot of the tire. It should be mounted on the wheel adjacent to the valve, which wheel makers drill at the low spot of the wheel. This results in the optimum roundness (ie, minimal runout) of the mounted wheel / tire combination. The wheel and tire industry agreed on this standard and many manufacturers abide by it.

 

I really chewed up the side of the several of the wheels. These radials don't install up as quickly as the old Hoosier tendency ply wheels did on the customized. Maybe I will just use it on the ones that flow the most.