Need your advice on a good inside automotive tire patch

[Danny D.]

clare wrote, on Thu, 10 Dec 2015 21:15:03 -0500:

Did you ever have tires mounted or an alignment and you watched the "professional" do the job all wrong?

I have.

So, at the very least, we all should know how this plugpatch job is done correctly. If for no other reason, than to be intelligent when we watch someone else do the repair, so that we know if *they* did the job right.

At the moment, I think we all know *exactly* how to do the repair properly (following the well-established RMA procedures).

We also know exactly what 5 tools and 3 chemicals to use.

The *only* thing left is to see if we can intelligently second source any of the 5 tools and 3 chemicals so that we can use them for other purposes around the home and car.

[Danny D.]

clare wrote, on Thu, 10 Dec 2015 21:20:42 -0500:

Whom are you talking about? I haven't ignored a single thing said in this thread. I have been very responsive, and I have added value wherever I could.

In fact, I think, based on the advice, and the research I did, and my talking with the guys at Goodyear, Wheelworks, and Costco today, that I know *exactly* how to properly repair a punctured tire.

Let's repeat that we are not in a ladies' knitting group. The whole point of the repair and tech group is to discuss such things.

There is nothing wrong with learning tricks for doing the job safely and correctly.

For example, I wonder if a masonry nail can suffice for a poor-man's alternative to the carbide drill bit?

What do you think, given the purpose is to smooth the cut belts?

[Ed Pawlowski]

Yeah, but it is 40 hours driving time for me to get there.

[Danny D.]

Ed Pawlowski wrote, on Thu, 10 Dec 2015 22:13:42 -0500:

Yup. Convenience plays a role.

For me, since I already own the tire mounting/dismounting and balancing tools, it's convenient for me to repair my own tires properly.

But, for others, I can see how it might not be convenient for them to repair their own tires properly.

[Danny D.]

UPDATE:

Here is a *fantastic* set of resources, which, by the way, proves that [e-mail] was right on the money when he said that the fluids were what they are!

Note that the tire repair procedure below is excellently detailed!

Web page:

MSDS:

Procedure:

Catalog:

1. Pre-buffing Cleaner Fluid (Solvent) 100% Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated light CAS Number 64742-49-0, EC Number:265-151-9 MSDS

1. Fast Dry Self-Vulcanizing Cement 60-100% Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated light CAS:64742-49-0 30-45% Heptane CAS:142-82-5 0-30% 3-Methylhexane CAS:589-34-4 0-20% Methylcyclohexane CAS:108-87-2,EC:203-634-3 0-15% 2-methylhexane CAS:591-76-4 1-5% zinc dibutyl dithiocarbamate CAS:35884-05-0 0-5% 3-ethylpentane CAS:617-78-7 0-5% 2,3dimethylpentane CAS:565-59-3 4% Natural Rubber

[Danny D.]

UPDATE:

This seems to be the set of tools needed to do a perfect job:

1. STEELMAN JSG381 1/8-Inch Tire Repair Patch/Plug Combo, Box of 25 ()
2. STEELMAN 00028-S Tire Inner Liner Scraper ()
3. STEELMAN SLP9305A Tungsten Carbide Buffing Wheel with Adapter ()
4. STEELMAN 00029 Tire Repair Stitcher ()
5. Shark BT30 Carbide Bur with 2-Inch Flute and 0.3125-Inch Diameter ()

The only somewhat expensive tool is the carbide cutter, so, if you know of a good second source, that would be helpful.

The rest of the special tools are dirt cheap in contrast.

[Vic Smith]

Bullshit. Before he's done, he'll know far more about how to correctly plug a tire than 99% of the so-called "professionals," who are mostly kids working in various tire chain stores. He's overkilling it, and so are you. When did they outlaw amateur DIY car repairs? Why do they sell plug kits at all auto parts stores? I've bought them, and plugged tires with them.

[AMuzi]

Ideally you want the cleaner/prebuff and cement to come from the same vendor. And regarding your carbide tool question, it's feet per minute so speed depends on the size of the tool.

[AMuzi]

Another path would be to approach this from the side of social engineering. Rather than a gallon of each for one tire patch, you might cultivate a local tire shop (or tractor supply or such), do your path with him at the end of the day using his tools and supplies/materials and leave a crisp $50. If your goal is education, start with someone who knows the area and is nearby for advice as you go along.

[Danny D.]

AMuzi wrote, on Fri, 11 Dec 2015 08:19:47 -0600:

That would work, but, I'm gonna take the "homeowner" route.

That is, I know how badly most homeowners do it (they buy the $5 string-plug kit, shove the thing in with glue, twist, pull out, and cut.

So, "my" repair can't be as bad as that typical homeowner repair, no matter *what* I do!

I already bought a few tools, most important of which is the rasp and the stitcher, so, I'm fine with respect to tools (the scraper and buffer are pretty much finesse - remember - compared to the "typical" homeowner job).

The one tool I pine for is the carbide reamer. I think what I will do is look for a carbide reamer in the box stores. I might even break the handle off of the hand reamers, and put that "bit" into the drill at 500 RPM to see if that works.

Once I have the carbide reamer, that's all I really need. So, here's the shortcut to a "decent" repair:

1. buff the inside
2. ream with a carbide bit
3. glue in the patchplug

The one solution that really has no decent alternative yet is the final covering of the rubberized carbon-black naptha.

[Danny D.]

AMuzi wrote, on Fri, 11 Dec 2015 08:12:17 -0600:

Most chemicals don't know what company they work for, so, while I fully and completely *understand* your concerns about having all the chemicals coming in the same color can, I pretty much consider naptha from brand A to be the same as naptha from brand b.

I don't buy scared.

The carbide bit is usually set to about 2000 to 5000 rpm in most of the professional descriptions; it's the half-round rasper that seems to be set really slowly at 500 rpm.

The pre-buff step can be skipped, as the main purpose seems to be to prevent the half-round rasper from getting clogged, which is something of import to a guy who fixes tires all day, but which is far less important to a guy who only repairs his tires once every three years.

[Wolfgang]

You have not completed your education until you have talked to the techs at a certified aircraft tire repair station.

[Danny D.]

Wolfgang wrote, on Fri, 11 Dec 2015 10:58:14 -0500:

That is a good point. The Dunning-Kruger effect should be known to *all* of us.

There are many ways to summarize the Dunning-Kruger effect, but, one way, that relates to your comment above, is that the more we know, the more we realize that we don't know.

Another way to summarize Dunning-Kruger is to say that only a fool thinks he knows everything.

[Tekkie®]

[e-mail] posted for all of us...

All the time he wasted on asking questions and arguing with you he could have spent he could have made a freek'n tire himself. I'm surprised no one local to him just didn't give the tire a sidewall aneurysm.

Clare, you are absolutely correct that his survivors will end up in court after his "patch" fails. Our shop worked on cop cars and occasionally state police troopers would come in. "NO plugs patches only" I wouldn't want crap on my car at 120 and they didn't get it either.

There are things called ethics and morals which DD doesn't seem to comprehend. Only DISCOUNT, FREE, CHEAPER. He knows it all, except...

[Tekkie®]

Ashton Crusher posted for all of us...

True. This is not mandated by the gov't. However the manufacturers have researched this extensively because front wheel or 4 wheel drive is now the norm. Some where there has to be trust, because why not just slap undersize d tires on, run oil to 25k, one doesn't need that piece of plastic there, no seat belts, etc. You make your choices then live with them.

[Tekkie®]

Danny D. posted for all of us...

Snipped because I'm tired of seeing the same reply to posts. It was directe d at you. As others have said there are some things others should do. If you REALLY wanted to know how to do it you would have DAGS. Education is not free. The uneducated have to pay the price. You are paying nothing but replying with snarky knitting group answers. Grow up. The world doesn't exist just for you. You are on the same plane as Stumped.

[Tekkie®]

[e-mail] posted for all of us...

Yeah, I'm getting Stumpy flashbacks. I gotta chill out and just read the crap for amusement purposes only.

[Ashton Crusher]

Clare thinks he's the only one who knows anything or is entitled to an opinion. Whenever someone else says anything outside his experience base or different then he (or she) believes, his (or her) panties get in a bunch and he (or she) starts tossing around insults.

[Danny D.]

Ashton Crusher wrote, on Sat, 12 Dec 2015 16:47:46 -0700:

It's ok with me as long as I learn something.

Clare, for example, corrected that the pre-buff fluid is Naptha, and not MEK (which I confirmed with an MSDS). It's 100% naptha, which is easy to come by for homeowners.

The only fluid I don't think I'll find in the box stores is the black tar goop, which, from the MSDS, isn't anything special.

It's just a coating of rubberized dried petroleum. But, it's not easy to find so far in the box stores.

[Danny D.]

Tekkie® wrote, on Sat, 12 Dec 2015 16:53:22 -0500:

This is wrong. Dead wrong. But you're entitled to your opinion. If you don't know how to do it, you don't really need to respond anyway. I'll learn from the guys who *do* know how to do the job right anyway.

If you think for a split second that the guy who repairs your tires gives a hoot about your safety, you're dead wrong.

They're just trying to get "stuff" through their shop. That's it. To them, you're just another 'job'.

The proof is that *every* time I watch them, I see them make mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake (some of which has already been reported).

The ancient adage still holds, despite the fact you seem to think it doesn't hold true.

If you want the job done right - do it yourself.