flapper sealing

[Dave_EH]

Hi,

I put a set of whitewall flappers on my car last week.  One of my tyres now has a slow leak.  

I assume this leak would be occuring between the two rubber surfaces - can silicon spray be used to get a better seal or anything else?

To get the bead to stick really well should you inflate you tyre to maximum pressure (e.g. 50 or 60 psi) then lower it back to driving pressure (34 psi)?

I want to take the car for a cruise friday night and don't want to get a flat and wreck a flapper!

Cheers
Dave

[Ed]

here's a trick used on bike tyres.

deflate your tyre,
wrap a good quality ratchet strap around the circumference of the tyre, dont compress it too tightly.

lube up the bead with some dishwashing detergent.

pump the tyre until you hear the bead pop into place.

undo your ratchet strap carefully.

would be a good idea to wear some safety glasses to stop any wayward straps taking your eye out.

cheers

Ed

[Shayne]

Ed's trick works just as well for sealing 'flappers'.  It is what I did when I put mine on.  (We also do it for aircraft).