Neighbor's tip about using a garden hose to seat beads turned out solid

My neighbor Gary, who restores old tractors out of his garage, told me to use a garden hose to seat stubborn tire beads on my '91 F-150 project truck. I thought he was messing with me. Last weekend, after two hours with ratchet straps and starting fluid failing on a $40 used tire, I tried his trick. You set the bead with a quick blast of air while the hose floods the rim edge, it acts like a seal. First try, the tire popped on with a sound like a shotgun. Saved me a trip to the tire shop and the $25 mount fee. My question is, has anyone else used water tricks for other stuck parts, like rusted pulleys or brake drums? I'm listening for cheap workarounds this winter.