Cleaning a Tire Plug Tool

[NoSkills]

I've carried tire plug kits in my RZR for years, but never needed them on the on the trail. However, I've had to plug two tires recently on my DD vehicles for punctures that were in the last tread block, too close to the outer sidewall for the local tire shops to fix. So, I now have real, hands-on experience plugging tires, and a gunked up plugging tool. This is the tool you insert the gooey thread thing through to insert into the tire. How do you clean it? Or do you just keep using it until it's unusable and then just replace it?

 

[TobeyA]

I just keep using it. I lose them before they are too gunked up to use.

 

[redwrench60]

Don’t worry about it. The buildup won’t hurt a damn thing. I’ve plugged a blue million tires off road and on

Now, this can devolve into a tire plug safety ***** ache thread in 3…..2…..1……

 

[charbar]

Ive never cleaned mine either. I suppose soaking it in a little gas and then wiping it off might work though....

 

[Meursault74]

I've never cleaned mine.

If you want to clean it, I'd try a solvent you likely have in your garage already. Acetone, paint thinner, WD-40 etc.

 

[CJM8515]

id just soak it in solvent, then wire wheel it

 

[Fedwrench]

brake clean on a green pad

 

[Old Man Roger]

Ive plugged atleast 1000 tires, never cleaned a plug tool. If you do clean it, don’t leave any oily residue, it may have a negative effect on the next plug job.

 

[TheToolEnthusiast]

brake clean on a green pad

This or even just a rag.

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm in the no need to clean camp, but, I bet true lacquer thinner ( not big box store ****) would clean the goop off in a jiffy

 

[AA/FC]

Never cleaned a plug tool... And I've been using them for over 30 years. In fact, the only clean plug tool I ever saw was when I bought a brand new Safety Seal plug kit for a service truck that I was setting up about 8 years ago.

 

[wafrederick]

Never had to clean one,nothing on it due to using the rubber plugs which are better than the junk rawhide plugs that do not seal worth a ****

 

[joe_padavano]

When the tool gets too gunked up to easily insert a new plug, I just wipe it down with lacquer thinner. Takes less time than writing this post.

 

[NoSkills]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I thought this was going to be a horrible PIA because of how sticky the cords are, plus adding rubber cement, too. The recommendations made me realize it probably wouldn't be too bad after all. A couple of minutes with a Gunk Multipurpose wipe cleaned it up nicely! Really appreciate the knowledge available from the GJ collective.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I’ve never used glue with a tire plug, I just make sure I create enough friction with the reamer to heat the hole. The heat makes the plug slide in easy and it melts the glue in the plug enough to seal the hole.