Puncture repair in a can


Frequently Asked Questions | Fix-a-Flat

Fix-a-Flat FAQs

  • What is Fix-a-Flat?
  • How does Fix-a-Flat work?
  • Can Fix-a-Flat ruin my tire?
  • Can Fix-a-Flat be used to treat punctures in quiet tires?
  • Can Fix-a-Flat be used to treat punctures in run flat tires?
  • Is Fix-a-Flat flammable?
  • How long does Fix-a-Flat last?
  • ​How can I tell when my can of Fix-a-Flat was manufactured?
  • How do I safely dispose of an old, expired can of Fix-a-Flat?
  • Will using Fix-a-Flat void my tire warranty?

Fix-a-Flat Installation

  • How do I use Fix-a-Flat?
  • How much Fix-a-Flat should I use?
  • What supplies should I have on hand when installing Fix-a-Flat?
  • Does the tire have to be completely flat before I use Fix-a-Flat?
  • Should I add more air once I have used Fix-a-Flat to repair my tire?
  • How long does Fix-a-Flat work? Do I need to get a patch/plug repair for my tire, or can I leave Fix-a-Flat in there permanently?
  • Will Fix-a-Flat damage my tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?
  • Can I use a can of Fix-a-Flat to treat multiple tires?
  • What specific tires can Fix-a-Flat be used on?
  • Can Fix-a-Flat be used to seal my air mattress, football, basketball or inflatable pool?
  • Some Fix-a-Flat got on the wheel while I was filling my tire. How can I remove it?
  • How do I remove the odor of Fix-a-Flat from upholstery or carpet?
  • Can my tire be repaired after using Fix-a-Flat?
  • Can Fix-a-Flat be added to a tire to balance it?

Storage and Temperatures

  • Where is the best place to store my can of Fix-a-Flat?
  • Can Fix-a-Flat freeze?
  • Can I store Fix-a-Flat in my trunk on a hot day?

My Account

  • Do I have to create an account?
  • What are the benefits of having an account?
  • I forgot my password, can you help?

Orders

  • How can I place an order?
  • What payment types do you support?
  • How do I know if the product I want is in stock?
  • How do your discount codes work?
  • How can I receive a tax exemption?
  • Can I make changes or cancel my order?

Shipping

  • When will my order ship?
  • What countries do you ship to?
  • When will my order arrive?
  • Can I track my order?
  • How much does it cost to ship my order in the United States?
  • Why can I only select ground shipping for my order?
  • Can I combine two orders?
  • Can you split an order and ship it to multiple locations?
  • Can I change my shipping address on a recently placed order?

Returns & Exchanges

  • Can I return a product?
  • Can I get a refund or exchange my product?
  • How do I return a product?
  • Are there any products that I can’t return?
  • What happens if my product arrives damaged?

How to Repair a Flat Tire with a Safe, Permanent Fix

So, you have a flat tire or one that’s leaking air. It’s not the end of the world. Luckily there are safe and cost-effective ways to properly repair most tire punctures. The purpose of this article is to show you the difference between a safe, permanent repair and a temporary string, plug or patch repair.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), the only method to properly repair a tire puncture is to fill the injury with a repair stem and back the stem with a repair patch. This is commonly known as a combination repair or a patch/plug repair.

Patch/plug repairs are most often performed using a one-piece repair unit that combines the repair stem and cap (or patch) into one unit. However, special circumstances may require the use of a two-piece combination repair (ex. If the angle of the puncture exceeds 35 degrees). The repair is then permanently bonded to the inside of tire and through the injury channel using a cold, chemical vulcanizing process. The repair essentially becomes part of the tire, creating an air-tight seal that keeps air in and moisture and contaminants out (more on this procedure below).

Tire Plugs and String Repairs are Temporary Repairs

Emergency roadside plug repairs are NOT intended to be a permanent tire repair. Plugs and string repairs are designed to get you back up and rolling long enough to get home or to the nearest service center to perform a proper tire repair.

The common misconception with plug and string repairs is that because they hold air, they are safe to use. While it is true that many plug repairs do a great job of keeping air in the tire, that’s only part of the equation. Because they’re not completely sealing the injury, plug repairs may allow air and moisture to penetrate the body of the tire. Over time, this could lead to a dangerous (or even deadly) blowout.

A Patch-Only Tire Repair Leaves Your Tire Susceptible to Damage

A tire repair that uses only a patch is also NOT considered proper or safe. A properly installed patch will do a great job of allowing the tire to hold air. However, similarly to the plug-only repair, the patch does not fill the injury channel. Therefore, air and moisture could seep into the tire from the tread surface and eventually damage the tire.

The Proper Tire Repair Process According to Industry Guidelines

Only a proper patch/plug repair completely seals the puncture from inside the tire and through the entire injury channel. There are a few extra steps necessary to perform a proper tire repair in accordance with industry guidelines. We’ve developed a simple acronym to help organize and remember the steps: R.E.P.A.I.R.

  • Remove: To begin, the tire must be removed from the wheel assembly. This allows for a thorough inspection of both the inside and outside of the tire.
  • Evaluate: With the tire removed from the rim, the puncture can be thoroughly evaluated to determine the size and angle of the injury. It can also be determined if the puncture did any significant damage to the cords or belts.
  • Prepare: Once the tire has been determined to be in good enough condition to repair, it is time to prep the rubber surfaces to remove any damage and contamination to allow for maximum repair unit adhesion. First, the injury is drilled out using a carbide cutter to strip away and damaged cords or belts. Next, the inner liner is cleaned and buffed to a slightly rough texture. This also helps maximize adhesion of the patch/plug repair.
  • Apply: The next step is to apply vulcanizing fluid through the injury and to the buffed area of the inner liner. It is then allowed to air dry for 5-10 minutes.
  • Install: The one- or two-piece repair is installed through the injury channel and the patch portion is thoroughly stitched to the inner liner using a tire stitcher to completely push out any air that may have gotten trapped under the repair. The over-buffed area of the inner liner is treated with a thin layer of rubber sealant, and the excess repair is trimmed to approximately ¼” above the tread surface.
  • Return to Service: The tire is now ready to be remounted to the rim, inflated, balanced and mounted back on the vehicle.

When is it Safe to Repair Your Tire?

There are a number of factors that may determine whether or not your tire is safe to repair. These factors fall into three main categories:

  • Placement of the Injury: For passenger tires, puncture repairs must be within the crown area of the tire. Damage to the shoulder or sidewall cannot be repaired.
  • Size of the Puncture: For fabric-ply passenger and light truck tires, the maximum repairable injury size is ¼” (6mm). For steel belted light truck, medium and heavy-duty truck tires, the maximum injury size is 3/8” (10mm).
  • Overall Condition of the Tire: The condition of your tire may determine whether it is safe to repair. Excessive wear, casing separation, impact damage and other conditions may make it unsafe to properly repair your tire. For a more comprehensive list of repairable vs. non-repairable conditions visit our blog Can Your Tire Be Repaired?

Conclusion:

The occasional flat or leaky tire is an unavoidable part of life. But, taking shortcuts to repair it can be dangerous to you and your passengers. Take the time and do the research to do the job right and/or find a reputable tire repair shop trained in proper tire repair procedure.

Tire repair in Nizhny Novgorod

Tire repair in Nizhny Novgorod

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Almost every motorist in the process of using his vehicle has encountered tire damage , whether it be a puncture, a side cut or a hernia. And as a rule, this problem appears at the most inopportune moment. In order to qualitatively and quickly carry out car tire repair , it is better to immediately contact a tire shop.

Let's take a closer look at the possible cases of car tire repair:

  • Damage like puncture is the most common type of damage. A tire puncture is tire damage resulting from a collision with a sharp piercing object (for example, a screw, a nail). When a tube tire is punctured, often only the tire itself is damaged. But if such damage occurred with a tubeless tire, then the stuck object acts as a kind of traffic jam. In any case, if a tire is punctured, we recommend that you immediately contact the tire service for repair.
  • Tire cuts and side cuts is a more serious tire damage, especially if the tire cord has been damaged. As a rule, in this case, this damage is accompanied by a complete loss of pressure. It is dangerous and difficult to drive further on such a tire, so we recommend that you immediately install a "spare tire" and head towards the tire shop to repair a cut in the tire.
  • Tire hernia (bloating) - such a defect is much less common and occurs for a number of reasons: non-observance of the rules for mounting the tire on the rim, severe side impact or due to factory defects. Such damage is difficult to repair.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the good condition of the tires of your car, and in case of damage, carry out repair of car tires in time, tire fitting in Nizhny Novgorod KOLOBOX will help you with this.

You can use the convenient form to make an appointment at a convenient time: make an appointment for a tire fitting

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Company BTA Service is a certified auto service center . This means that each of our employees has been trained and highly qualified, the company is responsible for the quality of the work performed. The certificate gives us the right to provide services to the owners of warranty vehicles. We also provide our own guarantee for the work performed, so you can be sure of an unsurpassed result - whether it is the replacement of consumables, engine overhaul, scheduled maintenance or car wash.

Attentive and respectful attitude to each client is another important distinguishing feature of our company. Just as parents will always be told in detail at a pediatrician’s appointment what procedures they will have to undergo, so in our technical center, specialists will patiently and clearly explain to each client what repairs the car needs, what manipulations need to be carried out, etc. You can ask any questions related to diagnostics, car repairs, scheduled maintenance and any other services of our car service, we will be happy to answer you.

Turning to BTA Service for machine maintenance, you will be surprised how quick and easy this procedure can be. Our experts will carry out MOT in of your car within hour! We strive to achieve maximum efficiency and speed of work, because we value and save the time of all our customers. You can sign up for maintenance or diagnostics by calling 8-923-464-1795 or on our website.

Our auto repair shop demonstrates a truly comprehensive approach to keeping your vehicle running and in top condition. We offer the maximum range of services related to maintenance, diagnostics and repair of components and assemblies of your car. This is a major overhaul of the engine, suspension diagnostics, exhaust system repair, electricians, 3D wheel alignment, injector flushing, installation of tuning, optics, body kits, as well as tire fitting, rubber storage, glass repair, installation of auto covers! In small car services, you can often hear: "We do not deal with auto glass", "Optics - this is right and left for you" or "We do not have a wheel alignment stand." And BTA Service has everything, even a modern contactless car wash and its own tuning studio. You no longer have to look for the next master somewhere in the garages, you can contact us with any problem and do everything in one place - quickly, efficiently and with a guarantee.


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