wheel porosity

[cmaxwell]

Research into why one tire slowly but continually lost pressure turns up a wheel which is leaking through the inside circumference; not a bead leak, but a tiny pinhole leak right through the wheel itself.

I don't know the history of the wheel, but it has not suffered damage or impact since I have owned it, and there is no visible exterior evidence of a crack, etc.

Anyone have any real experience with this issue with FE wheels?

Obviously, I don't want to use an unsafe wheel, but don't want to discard a usable wheel if porosity is a known issue with a safe repair procedure available.

Appreciate any useful information.

[Jon Jeffords]

I have a Panasport wheel that had a porosity leak since day 1. Using soapy water, I was able to identify the pinhole location where the air was escaping. A small bead of epoxy sealed it up. The next time I removed the tire, I added a few light coats of enamel to the inside of the wheel as added sealant. No leakage problem since.

[cmaxwell]

Thank you, Jon.

With advice from you as well as from a few other folks the problem has been sorted.

Appreciate the help.

[jcorsico]

Thank you, Jon.

With advice from you as well as from a few other folks the problem has been sorted.

Appreciate the help.

Out of curiosity, what was the solution?

[cmaxwell]

Dismounted the tire and inspected the wheel for signs of cracks or damage; none found.

Sanded entire interior circumference, wiped down with denatured alcohol, masked off the beads, applied a coat of this: http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-265.../dp/B006ZRUKHK

Allowed to cure for 24 hours, remounted tire, tank tested for leaks.

None found; holding stable since.