How much old glue is too much?
 

Not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes:

So I'm gonna be switching out my Conti tubulars tonight for some Vittoria Paves for an upcoming Roubaix-style race. I'm wondering, how much old glue on the rim is too much? The rear has been glued up several times, and it's pretty nasty. They're aluminum rims, so I can use nasty solvents to get the old stuff off, no scraping required. I'd just prefer not to go through the 24-hour drying on the initial coat again if I can help it.

Also, with the Vittorias: the manufacturer says use a solvent to get the latex off the base tape, Zinn says to use a scraper. I'm afraid I'll choose the wrong solvent and separate the base tape from the casing. Advice?

With my Vittorias I took a file and scuffed up the base tape. Heavy grit sandpaper would also work.

If the glue is evenly distributed around the rim and not flaking off, the only way you could have too much is if the glue is altering the shape of the concave rim profile (flattening it out so the tire and rim don't mate well).

On an aluminum rim I'd use my "screwdriver" method - spin the wheel in something (dropouts, truing stand, etc) and scrape the rim with a screwdriver. When stuff stops flaking off readily, stop. Hit the high (glue) spots. Glue away.

Tire - I'd just peel the lumps off, using a screwdriver or similar. No solvents. Rolling a basetape is extremely scary, totally unpredictable, and will earn you a lot of grief.

Old glue softens up with new glue's solvent. Just make sure it's all dry, and check it for secureness before riding (try to roll it off with your hands - if they roll off you just saved your collarbone - reglue).

cdr