Dabs of Paint on Alloys. (Blue dots)

woodsie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 2:44 am

Got about a 3 mm round dab of paint?--pale blue, on each of my alloy wheels.Been on since new but had forgotten about them till I was checking pads today.Anyone else got this or similar and know why?

Somewhere in the back of my old brain I seem to remember it might have something to do with marking the position of the locking wheelnut,or have I just dreamed that? :lol:

pubcrawler · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 8:39 am

Same here, always wonder why they are there whilst cleaning then forget about them till next time. :confused:

Hope a reply is posted. :biggrin:

JackDusty · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:28 am

I noticed these dots as well.

I seem to remember that someone on the forum explained that there should be a corresponding dot on the tyre that aligns with the wheel dot, all to do with getting the balance right.

Avocet · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:53 am

Ours has them too. On big diameter wheels, the wheels themselves can contribute significantly towards the overall out-of-balance forces in the wheel and tyre combination. The wheel manufacturer will stick a mark of some sort on either the "best" or "worst" bit of the wheel (can't remember which, to be honest)! The tyres also have a mark on them. When fitting tyres, the tyre fitter should match the two up - which will save on balance weights and make for an all-round better job. If you're Nissan, producing (say) 1000 X-Trails a week, each with 5 wheels, that's a significantly weekly saving in balance weights! If you're Mr. Kwik-fit fitter, you're not paying for the weights out of your own pocket, but you ARE subject to constant pressure to get the job done in a particular time, so you really couldn't give a monkey's about where the dots go!

A quick Google for "blue dots on wheels" will show that it's pretty common on all kinds of car makes.

Umbongo · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 11:03 am

Blue dot explained in pdf file just click on link below :thumbs:

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=4794

Umbongo · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 11:41 am

JackDusty wrote:

I noticed these dots as well.

I seem to remember that someone on the forum explained that there should be a corresponding dot on the tyre that aligns with the wheel dot, all to do with getting the balance right.

Hi Jack, it was mentioned in the thread below when I was telling Johnrimm about the blue dots on the wheels and what purpose they served.

Blue dot - Red dot Tyre T30
Left click jpeg file twice for max view

Attachment:

T30 blue dor - red dot copy.jpg

Clink on link below
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=3797&start=10

Umbongo · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:31 pm

Both links have now been

with new pdf file (We review which dot goes where ?)

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=4794

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4793

woodsie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:37 pm

Thanks again Umbongo,I knew you'd know. :smile:

All came back to me when I reread your post to John.

My rear(original)tyres have the red dot lined up with the blue wheel dot,as you'd expect,but no red dots on the 2nd set of fronts(new version of the Duelers)fitted about 18 months ago.

Thanks again and have a Happy Xmas.

Umbongo · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:43 pm

woodsie wrote:

Thanks again Umbongo,I knew you'd know. :smile:

All came back to me when I reread your post to John.

My rear(original)tyres have the red dot lined up with the blue wheel dot,as you'd expect,but no red dots on the 2nd set of fronts(new version of the Duelers)fitted about 18 months ago.

Thanks again and have a Happy Xmas.

Hi woodsie, Merry Christmas to you too, time to put your feet up and have a few

and a good rest :thumbs:

pubcrawler · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:46 pm

Time to put your feet up and have a few

and a good rest :thumbs:

I'll drink to that. :thumbs:

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Dabs of Paint on Alloys. (Blue dots)

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