Posted by Jefferson Bryant Know How
Flat tires tend to happen at the worst time in the worst places. If you are on the road or outside of normal business hours when your vehicle has a flat and the spare is missing or no good, you might feel stranded, but there is an option—a tire plug kit. This is something that anybody can do, you just need the right parts.
Liquid tire repair might get you down the road, but it could make your tire repair difficult and possibly damage the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System) unit inside the rim itself depending on the formula. The best solution for an emergency tire repair is a tire plug. Made from cork and a gooey adhesive that keeps it place and seals the tire, a tire plug repair is an excellent way to get your car back on the road until you can get to a tire shop for a proper internal patch.
Installing a plug in your tire works for pierced tread area only. You cannot fix sidewall damage, compression breaks (from potholes, gravel roads or curbing) or any other type of catastrophic tire damage. The most common road hazards you will find are punctures from nails and screws. Fixing these issues are perfect for the good old fashioned tire plug. If you are wondering how long does it take to plug a tire, then the answer is just a few minutes. Most of the time is spent preparing to perform the plug itself. Here’s how to plug a tire with a plug kit.
You will need the following to make a tire plug repair:
There are all kinds of tire plugging kits, but you want the most complete tire repair kit which comes with the plugs, the installation tool, and the reamer tool.
Some flat tire repair kits just come with the plugs and installer, but the reamer tool is a necessary component to a good repair. Some tire plugging kits also come with liquid cement. You can use it or not, but the cement helps make a more permanent repair.
Locate the puncture. If you don’t see or hear the puncture, spray some soapy water on the tire and look for bubbles.
This is a small staple that was dropping tire pressure by 20 psi in about 12 hours. It needs to go.Remove the offending item. This is usually easy, but sometimes the nail or screw is worn down, making it hard to get a bite on it. This is where the side-cutters come in really handy. You will want to position the tire where you get the most leverage.
Side cutters work best for removing these items, as they can grip small round objects better than regular pliers.Insert the reamer.
This will take some effort, as you have to push it through the steel belts. Use a twisting motion and push it into the tire. Once the reamer is through, saw it in and out of the tire a few times to really make a nice hole for the plug. Yes, it is counter-intuitive, but it is necessary.
Push the reamer all the way and then saw it in and out a few times to make a clean hole.
Prep the plug and installer. Pull a plug off the strip and push it through the eyelet of the installer tool. The pliers will make this easier. Push a little through, grab it with the pliers and pull the plug halfway through the eyelet.
Pull a cork strip from the tire plugging kit and grab the installer tool, which looks like a large needle with a slit in the eye.Threading the sticky cork tire repair plug is not easy, but if you can get it squished into the hole, you should be able to pull it on through.
The side cutters might help.Insert the plug into the tire. If the kit has liquid cement, apply some to the plug before inserting it into the tire. Simply push the installer into the hole in the tire until the plug is about 3/4 of the way in. Twist the installer tool 90-degrees and pull it out. The plug will stay in the tire and the tool will come out nice and easy. You may trim away the excess plug or leave it to wear away as you drive.
Push the tire plug into the hole. Don’t twist the plug as you push it in, just go straight down and stop when there is about a 1/2-inch exposed.This is what you should see when the tire plug is installed.
Once the tire repair plug is in you can now twist the handle 90-degrees and pull the tool out.
Fill the tire to the proper PSI. If you have a portable air compressor, this will make things easy. However, if you do not, you need to get air very soon.
All done.
You can trim the tire plug or leave. You will need air, so don’t go driving until you have the tire aired up.Every automobile you own should have an emergency tire plug repair kit in the tool box, along with a portable air compressor. These emergency repairs are quite good, but for a long term repair, you should take the vehicle to a tire shop for a proper repair as soon as possible. They will know the best way to patch a tire for your type of damage.
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emergency repair, flat tire, flat tire repair, patch flat tires, sealant, tire maintenance, tire plug kit, tire pressure, tire safety, tire wear, tires, wheels
A life-long gearhead, Jefferson Bryant spends more time in the shop than anywhere else.
His career began in the car audio industry as a shop manager, eventually working his way into a position at Rockford Fosgate as a product designer. In 2003, he began writing tech articles for magazines, and has been working as an automotive journalist ever since. His work has been featured in Car Craft, Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, Truckin’, Mopar Muscle, and many more. Jefferson has also written 4 books and produced countless videos. Jefferson operates Red Dirt Rodz, his personal garage studio, where all of his magazine articles and tech videos are produced.
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Getting a flat tire can put a damper on your day and your wallet.
Tires can go flat due to many issues including:
The most common cause of a leaking tire is a puncture from a nail or screw.
When a nail punctures a tire, it can either stay embedded in the tread or can enter and come straight out. The tire pressure leaks from the puncture hole and the tire eventually goes flat.
In either case, a puncture can be repaired if it occurs in the tread section of the tire.
Tip: If you have a slow leak in your tire, have it repaired soon after. If you top up the tire pressure without repairing the puncture, rust and corrosion can form in the steel belt layer, causing further damage such as belt separation and steering wobble.
Note: A proper tire repair includes removing the rubber tire from the wheel rim. While kits are available on the market to plug a tire from the outside, it is not an approved repair method and does not meet Department of Transportation (DOT) standards.
A proper tire repair can be done in one of two ways:
Here’s how to perform a tire repair with a combination patch.
Use the following steps to check your tire for any leaks and determine the location of the puncture.
Materials Needed
Step 1: Spray soapy water over the tire with a spray bottle. Focus on areas that are likely to have a leak such as the bead, the valve stem, and the tread section.
Coat the tire a little at a time with soapy water. You’ll know where the leak is when you see big or small bubbles forming in the soapy water.
Step 2: Locate the leak. Mark the location of the leak with a tire crayon. Mark the location of the valve stem on the sidewall as well so that you can orient the tire properly when you reinstall it.
You will need to remove the tire from the wheel rim in order to be able to fix the puncture.
Materials Needed
Step 1: Deflate the tire completely.
If your tire still has air, remove the valve stem cap, then remove the valve stem core with the tool.
The tire will take less than a minute to completely deflate with the valve core out.
If your tire is already completely empty of pressure, skip to the next step.
Step 2: Break the bead. The smooth lip of the tire seals tightly to the rim and needs to be separated from the rim.
Lay the tire and rim flat on the ground. Place the bead breaker bar snugly under the lip of the rim on top of the tire and pound on it with a heavy hammer, wearing eye protection and work gloves.
Continue around the whole tire bead in the same fashion, moving along once the bead begins to move. When the bead is fully unseated, it will sink loosely downwards. Flip the wheel over and repeat the process for the other side.
Step 3: Pry the tire off the rim. Place the end of the bar under the lip of the tire and against the rim and pry the tire upwards. A section of the rubber lip will be above the edge of the rim.
Using a second bar, pry around the rest of the bead until it is fully above the edge of the rim. The second lip will come easily off the rim with a bit of wiggling. Use a pry bar to lift it above if it’s not coming off easily.
Apply the patch and plug into the puncture to fix your flat tire.
Materials Needed
Step 1: Evaluate the tire’s condition. If there are black pebbles or dust inside the tire, or if you see cracks or cuts on the inside of the tire, that’s an indication the flat tire was driven for too long.
In this case, discard the tire and replace it.
If the inside of the tire is shiny and free from debris, continue with the repair.
Step 2: Ream the puncture hole. Locate the hole inside the tire opposite the mark you made on the tread. Insert your reamer into the hole from the inner side of the tire, pushing it deeply into the hole and back out at least six times.
Step 3: Rough up the inside of the tire at the hole. Use a manual rasp or a piece of diamond-grit sandpaper to rough up a spot just larger than the patch area. Brush away any loose rubber that may have formed.
Step 4: Apply a generous layer of rubber cement. Brush the cement over an area just larger than the patch. Let it set according to the instructions on the container.
Step 5: Push the plug part of the patch into the hole.
Pull the protective backing off of the patch, then insert the plug into the hole. There is a stiff wire at the end of the plug. Insert it into the hole, pushing it through as far as you can.
Note: The plug needs to go deep enough that the patch rests fully on the inner tire liner.
Tip: The fit will likely be tight, and you may have to pull the plug the rest of the way with a pair of pliers. Pull on the wire part to fit the plug correctly.
Step 6: Seat the patch with a roller. With the combination patch all the way in place, seat the patch in the rubber cement with a roller.
Step 7: Cut the protruding plug flush with the tire tread. Use a utility knife to cut the plug flush with the tire surface. Don’t pull on the plug when cutting it.
After repairing the puncture, you need to put the tire back on the wheel rim.
Materials Needed
Step 1: Orient the tire in the proper direction. Use the valve stem marking to line it up on the correct side and position in the rim.
Step 2: Install the tire back onto the rim. Press the tire over the rim and wiggle it into position. The bottom side should drop easily into place. The top side may take some effort like twisting the tire or putting pressure around the bead.
If necessary, use a bar to pry the rubber back under the rim.
Step 3: Install the valve stem core. Make sure the valve core is snug to prevent leaks.
Step 4: Inflate the tire. Use a compressed air source to put air into the tire. Inflate it to the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle, found on the driver’s door placard.
Step 5: Recheck the tire for leaks. Spray the tire with soapy solution to confirm the leak is repaired and the tire is seated on the bead.
Even though a tire plug might be sufficient by itself, national road safety agencies caution against using only a simple plug.
In some situations, relying on a plug might be less effective.When the puncture hole is near the tire’s sidewall, many experts recommend a patch as a simple plug may not be enough to completely seal the damage. When the puncture is diagonal and not straight, a patch will need to be applied. A plug-patch is the ideal solution to such situations involving a flat tire.
If you find that your tire is not inflating properly even after repairing the puncture, get a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, to inspect the tire and install your spare tire instead.
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Few drivers manage to avoid cuts and other damage to tires on Russian roads. A similar nuisance is also familiar to owners of motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles. Especially it adds trouble if it occurs directly on the way. It is for this reason that any driver should have at his disposal a set of special repair materials that allow you to restore up to 70% of car tires.
Quick and reliable repair of damage to the insulating layer as a result of collision with screws, nails and other sharp objects can be carried out with the help of plasters. They effectively eliminate through defects due to high strength and flexibility. There are several types of such products, which are selected depending on the degree and nature of the damage.
They are a vulcanized product equipped with a polymer backing. Such tire patches may be round, square, oval, hexagonal in shape. With their help, it will be possible to eliminate:
The main condition for their use is to maintain the integrity of the cord.
A special adhesive and a cold vulcanization method are used to install this product. The multi-layer construction of the material makes it durable and flexible for variable load operation.
This type of consumables can be used not only by private vehicle owners, but also by tire shops.
The popularity of universal patches is due to some of their obvious benefits:
They can be used to repair minor damage, cuts, punctures that do not damage the cords.
Patches can be vulcanized in one of the following ways: "cold" or "hot". In the first case, rubber bonding is carried out without the influence of high temperatures, so it is important to perform preliminary degreasing, remove various contaminants and clean the surface of the tires. During hot vulcanization under the influence of high temperature, a strong bond is created between the patch and the surface to be repaired, which reinforces the special stable adhesive.
It follows from this that the material of the patch product must comply with the vulcanization method, otherwise the repair will be ineffective.
These tire patches provide reliable puncture closure due to the high adhesive power that develops when heated. They can be used to repair automobile, motorcycle, bicycle inner tubes and tires. By area, they are equipped with a special thin layer, which ensures a snug fit of the material to the tire. By following the installation rules, it will be possible to achieve a docking strength of more than 90%.
These products are durable and flexible. They are pre-vulcanized (with the exception of an adhesive layer of black rubber of a given thickness). Due to this, installation can take place without additional duplication using interlayer rubber at the site of the tire defect.
They are used to repair through damages accompanied by broken cord on the tires of the following equipment:
These products handle the entire tire section from the bead edge to the center of the treadmill. Having a sufficient length and at the same time a small thickness, they lead to a slight increase in the rigidity of the side wall at the site of damage. This improves the quality and reliability of tire repairs.
The vulcanization process takes several hours and involves the treatment of the defect site, the application of a patch, followed by heating and cooling of the corresponding area.
These plasters of various sizes are used to repair punctures in tires and tubes:
Due to cold vulcanization, the material of the product adheres strongly to the working surface in the area of the defect, so that the wheel can last a long time. The fixing of the patch occurs with the use of a special adhesive composition. They are pre-vulcanized (a thin adhesive layer is not vulcanized during production).
Benefits of such products:
Select them according to the type, tire size and damage. For installation, a special self-vulcanizing adhesive is used. The surface is pre-treated, covered with a buffer cleaner, a special glue is applied, and then a plaster. As a result, it is possible to achieve a very strong, stable molecular bond in a matter of minutes.
After cold vulcanization, the tire does not change its characteristics, in some cases it is not even necessary to balance the wheel. This procedure does not require any special equipment.
Modern manufacturers offer tires of radial and diagonal type. The repair of punctures in radial and bias-ply tires is very different, for this reason it is important to use the right consumables.
The construction properties of this type of consumable are fully consistent with radial tires. Such products are designed to experience the load from the edge to the middle of the side track. They provide reliable, durable wheel service, regardless of the location of the damage. There are patches:
The production of radial patches is carried out on the basis of viscose or nylon cord, known for its strength and low stretch. Having a large length and small thickness, this type of product during operation eliminates the risk of an increase in the level of rigidity in the side part of the wheel wall and in the places of a breakthrough. At the same time, the quality and durability of the work performed are significantly increased.
Edges treated with an additional layer of rubber are resistant to cracking. The use of a square shape allows for efficient repair work on treadmills.
They can be vulcanized by cold and hot methods. In the first case, it is recommended to use a seaming roller, in the second case, a one-stage heat press technology. During hot vulcanization, the thermo-plaster is heated to 135°C using a pressure of at least 3 atm - this gives the adhesive layer a special strength.
Helps eliminate defects in diagonal tyres. This type of consumable material can have a one-piece molded structure and consist of specially selected cord layers - they give the product strength, elasticity for operation in variable load mode.
Install them on the inside of the tire, providing high tightness. Suitable for working with damage in any part of the wheel. Can be used to repair tires of trucks, quarry equipment, cars. Can be used to repair both nylon and viscose frames.
The design of patches for road construction equipment provides for an exact correspondence of the tension of the threads to the angle of intersection of the threads of the wheel carcass.
This type of product is made from synthetic or natural rubber. From this, the following properties of diagonal patches become apparent:
In the area of the treadmill, RS d products and fungal stems are used. The patch is selected, focusing on the data in the Table of the maximum dimensions of damage to tires with SMC. It is considered advisable to use a short product, since the breaker removes up to 50% of the load from the patch frame.
It is also important to pay attention to the terms and conditions of plaster storage. Leading manufacturers of consumables pay attention to the fact that the storage temperature of chemically active repair materials should be 18C.
Failure to comply with this regime is fraught with aging and scorching of the chemical layer. You can check the condition of the chemical layer of the patch and its stickiness by bending the product in half - the adhesive should have a slight stickiness and “bump” at the fold.
| Repair | Cost (rub) |
|---|---|
| Tire refurbishment | 300.00 |
| Hot tire repair with R12 patch | 750.00 |
| Hot tire repair with R18 patch | 750.00 |
| Hot tire repair with R25 patch | 760.00 |
| Hot tire repair with R33 patch | 760.00 |
| Hot tire repair with R201 plaster | 800. 00 |
| Fitting small patch (up to 50 mm) | 100.00 |
| Fitting the large patch (over 50 mm) | 200.00 |
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The process of hot vulcanization is reduced to obtaining reliable one-piece connections by creating strong, inextricable molecular bonds of materials that are connected by heating.
Repair stages:
- cleaning and treatment of the damaged area of the tire;
- application of the Rossvik patch to the damaged area;
- carrying out the process of hot vulcanization on a thermal press.
Hot vulcanizing tire repair is by far the most reliable way to retread tires.
The use of hot vulcanization provides reliable bonding of any cuts, and the repaired tire lasts until it is completely worn out and retains elasticity, hardness, strength and wear resistance.
Repair is carried out using high -quality
reinforced plasters Rossvik of various shapes and dimensions
This method allows damage repair with almost any places with a significant size section of the tire (landing rim).
Advantages of hot curing:
- repair speed: only 1 hour for a passenger tire;
- elimination of large and hard-to-reach damages;
is the highest quality tire repair.
In the Kaluga Wheel car service:
- availability of innovative equipment "Thermopress complex 1M";
- availability of Rossvik quality materials;
- highly qualified service specialists;
- 100% tire life recovery!
| Tire repair | Tire diagnostics | free |
|---|---|---|
| Vulcanization | 150-300 | |
| Tubeless tire puncture adhesive | from 100 | |
| Tire Repair (Patch) | from 250 | |
| Tire side cut repair | from 400 | |
| Sealing chamber | 150 | |
| Disc repair | Dressing cast wheel rim | from 300 |
| Dressing a stamped rim | from 150 | |
| Additional work | Valve installation | 40 |
| Tire Pressure Sensor Replacement | 250 | |
| Check tire pressure and inflate to normal | 10 | |
| Tire bag | 15 | |
| Tire bead seal | 100 | |
| Valve installation (chrome) | 60 |
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