Tire Crud on rim flanges, before and after:

[fussfeld]

i didn't see much of this elsewhere on the net, so i want your opinions:

i am going to be using Astro wheels.
These came off of a 98-2005 from the salvage yard, i don't remember. But obviously they have some rubber crud on the rim flange:

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i decided (on my own opinion) to try to clean this crud off. So i used a Dremel and the carbon steel accessory attachment, #428-02.

This got the crud off without scratching anything. The pics may appear to still have some residue on them, but this is, as far as i can tell, is discoloration. And the flange is now smooth:

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So, should we even worry about rubber residue on the rim? i'm thinking the tire bead will conform to any rubber residue on the flange? Now rust or scratches would be different because the tire's bead can't fill those cracks?

 

[bucket]

If you can run your finger along the bead and not feel any noticeable bumps or gouges, the tire will seal fine.

It just looks like the last set of tires had bead sealer applied.

 

[Crispy]

I wouldnt worry about that. Mount em up.

 

[DoubleDingo]

So, should we even worry about rubber residue on the rim? i'm thinking the tire bead will conform to any rubber residue on the flange? Now rust or scratches would be different because the tire's bead can't fill those cracks?

I would say yes. On my Forester I had an extremely slow leak develop. Took it in and they found nothing producing bubbles from the tire. Aired it up and sent me on my way. A few days later I notice that tire is a smidge low again. Went back and had them dismount the tire, clean the flange, and it held air after that. A small amount of crud is probably okay, but after a while it wouldn't hurt to clean off the flange like you did. Will the tire shop do it? Probably not unless you ask them to. On my Forester the previous owner did a lot tinkering with different tires and such, so even though it should've only had two sets of tires maximum by the time I to ownership, it had at least 20 removals and installs of tires on the rims in five years, with four times coming from me alone to replace the tires it came with, then swapping the old tires back on so my girlfriend would have tires on her car until she could buy some.