tire puncture repair tools list

[PoorOwner]

I have been trying to figure out what I need to install a tire plug/patch from the inside of the tire.

Here is what I have found

schrader core remover

low speed tire buffer and buffing stone
tire hole reamer (1/4") low speed in drill
rubber cement
plugs (1/4")
tire stitcher tool


Did I forget anything? What kind of "plugs" do I need?

Since the temporary sticky "worm" repair that you use from outside is 3/16"

1/4" plug seems like the next size to use for the inside plug after talking that out.

 

[cowboy73]

A tire spreader is helpful along with an incandescent work light. The heat given off by the incandescent bulb helps the rubber cement cure a little faster. A pair of good pliers to pull the plug/patch through the hole.

 

[Billythekid1]

Dikes with a pointy tip to get nails out of the tires

 

[Bretny]

You dont plug a tire from the inside unless your talking about an umbrella plug.

You also need vulcanizing cement.

I have patched tires with just a a core removal tool, 2in roloc 32 grit disc on a air grinder and a can of vulcanizing cement. A stitcher would help

 

[PoorOwner]

I found this video which is pretty clear about what to do and various prep and post solution to use.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

Uh...water bottle filled with dish soap to find the hole in the first place?

 

[kctyphoon]

Is there any reason you dont wanna just use plugs? Are you going into a tire repair as a service? Cause if its just for you - IMO its just not worth it.. ive had 3 plugs in the same tire for like 4 years now..

 

[PoorOwner]

Is there any reason you dont wanna just use plugs? Are you going into a tire repair as a service? Cause if its just for you - IMO its just not worth it.. ive had 3 plugs in the same tire for like 4 years now..

You mean the sticky lines that you insert from outside?

I have done that, but I was thinking those are temporary fix? Even though I have had it for a month and it has not lose air.

 

[kctyphoon]

You mean the sticky lines that you insert from outside?

I have done that, but I was thinking those are temporary fix?

“Tires” are temporary.. find someone with a plug that went bad - and you’ll find someone who doesnt know how to read instructions.. they will last the life of the tire.

 

[maydaymike]

+1 on the "sticky string" type plugs. I've run several of these things tens of thousands of miles with zero issues on cars, trailers, and even my motorcycles.

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[maydaymike]

You do have to use fresh ones though. If you have some in an already opened kit that just feel rubbery and not really sticky, or if they don't come cleanly off the plastic backing, they probably won't hold up long in a tire.

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[ChrisLS8]

I wouldn't bother with patches. I have had 2 plugs in this current set for over 2 years

 

[PoorOwner]

So when the shop charges $30 it is only using the same sticky plugs from outside too?

 

[kctyphoon]

And before this even happens - I’m willing to bet a tire repair professional will come in here with a laundry list of “technical reasons” as to why patches are much better and that you shouldn’t use plugs..

I will straighten this out before hand.. ask them how much they charged to plug a tire, and then ask them how much they charge to install a patch.. you’ll have your answer as to why they say plugs are no good..

This is like the shotgun debate - who’s better, Remington or Mossberg - and you’ll get the guys saying - Remington is better cause their receiver is steel, and Mossberg is aluminum - meanwhile both are used in every law enforcement office across the country without a plague of broken aluminum Mossberg receivers.. yes - one is stronger material, yet both perform equally - reconcile..

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

So when the shop charges $30 it is only using the same sticky plugs from outside too?

For $30 they should be patching from the inside.
I had a shop try using the sticky plug on a "Road Hazard" repair. They were upset when I insisted on a patch.

 

[Naltastrife]

ask them how much they charged to plug a tire, and then ask them how much they charge to install a patch.. you’ll have your answer as to why they say plugs are no good..

We don't even carry rope plugs at our shop, its all combos, pull plugs and patches. While I have seen several rope plugs fail, I have seen many many more in tires I've changed that were holding air for the life of the tire. That said, if I'm doing tire work nowadays, its commercial, and I have not seen rope plugs last long in 22.5s.

Flush cutters and Diagonal cutters and great for pulling out whatever is in the tire, Vise Grips occasionally help aswell. If you're patching from the inside, get some kind of solvent to use before buffing, otherwise you're just pushing the mold release compound and whatever has been in the tire right into your patch area.

 

[sberry]

I havnt used Black Jack but do have Safety Seal kit, well worth the money. I have put them in nearly new tires, ran them till they were worn out. I don't have any of tho9se patch plugs, they do look neat but did have one a while back I had to inside patch as it was a steak knife in it. Used a common patch.

 

[matt_i]

I just need a set of keys for a spare vehicle, drop the loose tire off at Discount Tire. All is well in a few hours. I do business with them so I don't consider it unethical.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I used to do construction inspections for a bank. To see what was completed so the builder could get his draw. Was on up to about 60 construction sites a week. Fortunately I drove a bank owned truck. Kept two spares in the bed. I swear some of the tires on that truck were more plug than tire before I left there.

 

[428PI]

I have used outside sticky plugs for years on my personal tires without any issues. We don't use them at work for the liability issues and a matter of fact we'll only patch some tires. Only something like Michelin, and a few other brands will still maintain it's speed rating after a patch. If there's a nail in other brand tires, it gets a new tire. (I'm talking used cars here).

 

[mudflap]

And before this even happens - I’m willing to bet a tire repair professional will come in here with a laundry list of “technical reasons” as to why patches are much better and that you shouldn’t use plugs..

I will straighten this out before hand.. ask them how much they charged to plug a tire, and then ask them how much they charge to install a patch.. you’ll have your answer as to why they say plugs are no good..

This is like the shotgun debate - who’s better, Remington or Mossberg - and you’ll get the guys saying - Remington is better cause their receiver is steel, and Mossberg is aluminum - meanwhile both are used in every law enforcement office across the country without a plague of broken aluminum Mossberg receivers.. yes - one is stronger material, yet both perform equally - reconcile..

Thats easy...the Mossberg is better, it has a few distinct advantages. 1. Dual shell extractors 2. Thumb safety, making it possible to go safety off without moving your trigger finger outside the trigger guard 3. The shell elevator stays in the up position for faster reloading, and less chance a glove could get caught in the process....

 

[acer66]

+1 on the "sticky string" type plugs. I've run several of these things tens of thousands of miles with zero issues on cars, trailers, and even my motorcycles.

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Same here, except I would not use them on bikes.

 

[icthruu74]

Same. I’ve put in dozens of plugs, some in tires that saw 10’s of thousands of miles afterwards. I’ve had 1 leak. Maybe I didn’t do a good enough job, maybe it was old, maybe it just didn’t seal well.

Plus the bonus that roadside you can often do this without removing the wheel or loosing too much air.

 

[mudflap]

Same here, except I would not use them on bikes.

X2 on that...Spoke wheels have tubes, so they wont work for me anyway. But that would be a ..to get me home..on slow back roads thing only.

 

[kctyphoon]

Thats easy...the Mossberg is better, it has a few distinct advantages. 1. Dual shell extractors 2. Thumb safety, making it possible to go safety off without moving your trigger finger outside the trigger guard 3. The shell elevator stays in the up position for faster reloading, and less chance a glove could get caught in the process....

And you can buy the little adapter and run mini shells no problem. Or - just buy both.. problem solved.

 

[kctyphoon]

Same here, except I would not use them on bikes.

I would not use them on my motorcycle except to get home.. actually I plugged a tire on my company van before it was even a year old.. if you've ever installed one of those things - you know it ain't coming out.. long as you use enough glue - that thing will never leak. They don't exactly go in easy.

And even in the remote situation where it MIGHT leak - it's not catastrophic tire failure at 70mph.. it's a leak like any other screw that take you a week to even realize you lost some air.

 

[mudflap]

And you can buy the little adapter and run mini shells no problem. Or - just buy both.. problem solved.

Lol.....spoken like a fellow 2A supporter (gun nut)...

 

[mudflap]

I would not use them on my motorcycle except to get home.. actually I plugged a tire on my company van before it was even a year old.. if you've ever installed one of those things - you know it ain't coming out.. long as you use enough glue - that thing will never leak. They don't exactly go in easy.

And even in the remote situation where it MIGHT leak - it's not catastrophic tire failure at 70mph.. it's a leak like any other screw that take you a week to even realize you lost some air.

Yea...sometimes have to wrap yourself around the wheel for leverage, or if your lucky its on the front and you can turn the wheel so its out in the open...but their not comin out..

 

[BD1]

I too like the Safety Seal kit for repairing. Mine Light truck kit is at least 15 years old and still going.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0080IJYVK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bwringer]

I'd add valve stems and the related puller or tool to the list. I've encountered and fixed more than one damaged valve stem by popping one bead.

If it's a TPMS ballache, a spare seal kit is cheap and worth having too. You can at least get rolling again with a regular valve stem if the TPMS sensor is damaged.

 

[ezriderga]

I keep this in the back of my car just in case...

 

[sberry]

Yup, I have the same set. Paid for itself on the first tire.

 

[6PTsocket]

Is there any reason you dont wanna just use plugs? Are you going into a tire repair as a service? Cause if its just for you - IMO its just not worth it.. ive had 3 plugs in the same tire for like 4 years now..

Plugs have been pretty permanent for me. Never had to deal with any plugged puncture a second time. The AP kit has been all I need. One slow leak drove me up the wall. I soapped the tread, the side wall, the rim, and the valve a couple of times before I found it. It was a tiny tread puncture but whatever made the hole was was not there.


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[97tj-neil]

I prefer mushroom plugs vs the sticky string style. I have been using this kit for years with zero plug failures.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018EUDHW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tncatadjuster]

Probably 100 plugs so far between bike and company vehicles with one leaker, it was on the bike and it was slow enough to get me home. Big fan of the the technology, pop talks about patching tubes on the model A, no thanks.