tube repair Woes

bjr · May 6, 2007

I cannot get a patch to stick on the tube to save me. Today is Sunday and I need the tractor. Went for tire tube repair stuff and wouldn't you know the cement had dried up. So into town I go to the local Western wear/farm supply place and no tire repair supplies, no rubber cement. So I buy some contact cement because it says it's for rubber. Well after two attempts mounting and dismounting the tire never held air. The patch just pulled off. Then went back to town and finally after several stops found a store that sold Camel "C" universal cement. Buff and cleaned tube for the third time applied cement and patch let it set for maybe 15 minutes installed tube and guess what would not hold air at all. I need to be able to do my own tire service because everything that goes wrong happens on a weekend and I need to hurry up and get things done then. What kind of patches actually work and by that I mean to be able to apply the patch stick it in tire and use the tractor? I gotta get things done. I'm getting depressed trying to get this tire to hold air. bjr

Tom_Veatch · May 6, 2007

After going through what you describe, I'd be ready to throw up my hands and buy a new tube. It does seem a little extravagant to do that when the tube can be repaired, but if you can't get the proper materials to do the job, and it absolutely, positively has to be done today, ....

(So you decide to do that, and from the luck you've had so far, they probably won't have the size you need.

Liquor sales on Sunday legal where you live???

)

woodchuckie · May 6, 2007

Make sure the area around the patch is cleaned with somthing like alchohol that won't leave any residue. Before remounting, just air tube up and watch the patch to see if it's going to hold. Maybe you could convert to tubeless with a tubless valve in an emergency.

bjr · May 6, 2007

I just read on Gemplers site about tube repair. One of there Major Do's is Don't mix a match brands of patches and cement. I'm not able to find any one place that has a complete set of patches and cement on Sunday in this area. I would replace the tube but with work schedule it's a real hassle to ge to a off hiway tire dealer. I'll just have to give up for the day and wait till next weekend and see if I can get the tire service on a Saturday. bjr

Farmwithjunk · May 6, 2007

Some tubes just won't hold a patch. I've been told the rubber in some isn't compatable with the glue. Who knows...?

Clean with contact cleaner OR denatured alcohol.

An old trick I use to get glue to dry quick is to set it on fire! Light it with a match. When it burns out (usually takes only a few seconds) it's ready for the patch.

I prefer "TECH" brand tire repair products when they're available.

Now that I've gone through all that, I'll tell you my #1 tube repair trick..... I keep AT LEAST one spare of every size tube I have in use on the shelf for emergencies. Been stranded on a weekend too many times.

RalphVa · May 6, 2007

You have to let the glue dry a bit (a couple minutes or so) before putting the patch in place. We even used to set the glue on fire when I repaired them in a service station when I was a teen. It helped to burn off the excess.

I'm glad that I'm away from that. Had quite a few flats with the tube type tires on my Gravely.

My Dad used to let me have all the profits if I wanted to open up the station on Sunday afternoons. You wouldn't believe the number of flats people used to have on their Sunday afternoon drives in the old days. I got pretty good with a bead breaker and a couple tire irons.

Ralph

sandman2234 · May 6, 2007

Instead of filling it with air, how about using water? It doesn't leak out nearly as fast and doesn't try to unseat the patch.
David from jax

normde2001 · May 7, 2007

Every service station and autoparts store used to sell tube patch kits. With that in hand you apply a "hot patch".

Billy_S · May 7, 2007

Solvent, glue and patch, all from the same manufacturer, and a stitching tool.

Soundguy · May 7, 2007

Unless I'm in dire straights.. i don't repair tubes.. i replace them.

if you like to do your own weekend repair.. then i suggest yuo keep a boot, and a front and rear tube in package in a nice place out of the sunlight.. then you can do that weekend repair and not tear the tire down 6 times to do it.

Also get a pack of large and medium patches.. and use those to stick to the inside of the tire casing in case of big holes. i have a large thick farm patch covering a finger sized hole on my NH 7610s.. to protect that new tube i put in it when it ran over a sharp stick last year.

Old tubes are to cut gaskets out of.. not to stick back in tire caseings..IMHO..

Soundguy