How to get tires mounted without gashing the rim?

The last time I had my tires changed at pep boys, I had a gash in all four rims. Along with good trade in value, the wheel gashes pissed me off to the point of trading in my car.
What’s the best way to ensure that Unmounting and mounting tires leaves the wheel undamaged?

 

Had the same thing happen to me at a local Sunoco, made him cover the 700.00 cost to powder coat 4 stock rims... Best way to avoid the same situation is make sure your next shop has top of the line, modern equipment. Newer machines have no metal contact the rims, they have nylon material that does not mar the finish on the wheel. I feel your pain

 

Take a quick video while you’re at the shop before you hand over the keys, that way you have some proof if a shop is known for damaging customers vehicle.

 

Do a lot of research and ask around about your local shops. I haven't had issues getting tires put on new rims but when you need tires removed and new ones installed that's where the issues arise and seems like most places do not care about your rims. If i had the room for a tire machine i would purchase my own and avoid these issue lol.

 

You traded a truck because of scratched wheels? lol

 

Yep lol. Along with high trade in value getting back almost what I paid for it

 

Know of any national tire chains that have the new machines that don’t ding the wheels? Pep boys damaged mine last time so I won’t go there obviously.

 

Discount Tire usually has the right equipment, they try to keep updated.

 

Or find a local Offroad shop where they aren’t 18 year olds on their first job

 

That’s only something I’d do if you can buy new cheap. Which you can’t rn. But I have 2-3 cars I don’t drive much I might unload.

 

Depends on their tire machine . we use nylon tips so no scratches what so ever .

 

I’ve never had an issue at discount tire

 

1st thing to do is avoid the box shops.

 

Same problem here!!! I tell them every single time...you scratch my wheels; you'll pay & they aren't cheap! The one time I didn't see anything because I was distracted, the new guy screws up & scratches my wheels. I was boiling!!! Told him if I treated patient's the way he treats rigs; I wouldn't have a job. Never went back & now my husband and son do all the work! Thank the Lord!

 

They are hit and miss, plus they are so focused on turning vehicles out as fast as possible, there's just a lot going on there and Room for error. I brought them my new t4r rims without tires and they did a good job mounting up a new set. I took my 2500hd there to have the factory tires replaced and well that turned into a huge saga with lots of mistakes on there part that could have been avoided.

 

If not the big chains, who can we actually trust to do this? I feel like big chains would actually be more reliable than some hole in the wall place.

 

Like @Jynarik mentioned, my local off-road shop has never caused me any issues. I have also been lucky with Discount Tire. The only time I have had issues is when I used the cheapest place around.

As a side note: If you're in the Milwaukee area, and you love your car, don't ever use Mr. P's tire. They suck.

 

Exact opposite. Hope in the wall shops that have been around for years are your best bet.