Need new tyre valve caps - do they come in different sizes

usignuolo

I am about to pimp up my car and want to replace the missing valve caps from the tyres - among other things. Do they come in different sizes does any know? Or will any generic brand do?

molerat

They are all the same fit - don't bother spending money on them as some thieving little !!!! will soon have them away.

facade

Buy the cheap black plastic ones, under no circumstances get alloy ones, as they weld themselves to the valves once they get wet.

In fact, if you wander to a tyre fitters towards the end of the day they sweep them up off the floor (they undo them off the old valves and the new valves come with new ones), they may let you sweep them up and have them.

Iceweasel

Evening all - tyre valve-cap geek here.

The black plastic kind may well keep dust out but they are usually without any little rubber washer/seal inside.

They do zilch as a secondary air-pressure seal.

So best to get metal ones - nothing flash as some scrote will be away with them, before you can say 'human jackdaw'.

Shiny ones will soon dull down anyway.

These are great:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Car-Metal-Schrader-Tyre-Valve-Dust-Cap-Pack-of-8-/261497351071?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Other_Vehicle_Parts_Accessories_ET&hash=item3ce274eb9f

These will disappear extra quick:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-Metal-Alloy-Tyre-Valve-Dust-Caps-Covers-Car-ATV-Bike-Motorcycle-/271331890309?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item3f2ca41485

daveyjp

Don't buy any. Get down to your nearest tyre fitting centre and ask for some out of the waste bin.

photome

facade wrote: »

Buy the cheap black plastic ones, under no circumstances get alloy ones, as they weld themselves to the valves once they get wet.

In fact, if you wander to a tyre fitters towards the end of the day they sweep them up off the floor (they undo them off the old valves and the new valves come with new ones), they may let you sweep them up and have them.

Do they undo them?

Yes they sweep them up and dispose of the old valve and caps, so if black ones are rqd go to any tyre centre

Richard53

facade wrote: »

under no circumstances get alloy ones, as they weld themselves to the valves once they get wet.

Only if you leave them in place for months. If you check the pressures regularly, this shouldn't happen.

Ectophile

molerat wrote: »

They are all the same fit - don't bother spending money on them as some thieving little !!!! will soon have them away.

Unfortunately, most bikes use the same valves as well (they are called Schrader valves), so they can nick the valve covers off your car and get shiny new ones for their bikes.

[Deleted User]

Iceweasel wrote: »

These will disappear extra quick:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-Metal-Alloy-Tyre-Valve-Dust-Caps-Covers-Car-ATV-Bike-Motorcycle-/271331890309?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item3f2ca41485

I had shiny metal ones like these once in matching colour as the car. Luckily they didn't get pinched but maybe that was because they ended up welded on.

They got cut off and binned when I had new tyres fitted. I'd never get them again.

scotsbob

Metal ones, with rubber washer inside. I check pressures weekly so no chance of them "welding" on.
Black metal doesn't attract thieves whereas bright, shiny, metal may do.

facade

photome wrote: »

Do they undo them?

Yes they sweep them up and dispose of the old valve and caps, so if black ones are rqd go to any tyre centre

Yes you are right, they undo them off the new valves and then replace them, and simply cut off the old valve with them still on.