Tire plug question.

[dodge man]

My son was over for dinner yesterday and had a flat tire when he went to leave. I was pretty sure I had a tire plug kit I bought years ago and finally found it. I’ve never used one before. It was very difficult to get the plug in, not impossible but almost. We ran the reamer in and out about 50 times and it finally went in. I assume it’s suppose be a tight fit. Is this normal? Any tricks?

 

[RandyT]

Kind of normal. I normally put a small amount of tire glue on the end of the insertion tool to act as lube. But the sticky plug wants to stick to the tire when inserted, So a slow steady push works better than a quick insertion. And then when the end of the tool goes through the tire then wants to move all at once, and have to be careful to not overinsert it.

 

[dodge man]

That helps. The kit came with glue but didn’t have any instructions. The video we watched didn’t show using any glue but it makes sense that would help.

 

[scootr]

I've used tire plugs for many years, often needed when I worked on construction sites. And for my wife who drives a lot of miles. My kits never had glue, they did have some very sticky rope and a lube needed to put the plug in. Todays radial tires offer a real challenge getting the probe through the many layers of steel belts. All my efforts to plug tire punctures have been successful.

 

[RjCorazza]

I also have successfully plugged tires over the years with, or without the glue... Didn't make any difference. Sometimes I've had to ream the hole out maybe a dozen times, and rotating the tool seems to help.

 

[scootr]

I also have successfully plugged tires over the years with, or without the glue... Didn't make any difference. Sometimes I've had to ream the hole out maybe a dozen times, and rotating the tool seems to help.

I even used a drill on one.

 

[tomplum]

I've always just used a drill.

 

[RandyT]

I've used tire plugs for many years, often needed when I worked on construction sites. And for my wife who drives a lot of miles. My kits never had glue, they did have some very sticky rope and a lube needed to put the plug in. Todays radial tires offer a real challenge getting the probe through the many layers of steel belts. All my efforts to plug tire punctures have been successful.

Basically they supply what looks like dielectric grease. Or silicone grease.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Basically they supply what looks like dielectric grease. Or silicone grease.

it's rubber cement like the old school paper glue, not sure of it's composition but it does glue rubber...

 

[RandyT]

it's rubber cement like the old school paper glue, not sure of it's composition but it does glue rubber...

Some come with rubber cement like you discuss. But some come with silicone grease in a small pouch. Or the bigger kits have a small container looks like a Skoal can with lube.