Who plugs tires?

[scootr]

I bought a tire plug kit about 15 yrs ago. Few things have served me so well. Back then I was supervising construction. A lot of supervision was done from the airconditioned comfort of my truck while running over nails and wires etc. Plugged many a tire right on the truck or car over the years. I'm getting older now, The plug kit still works but I have to take the tires off so I can just about sit on the plug installer to push it through the cords Tires got tougher r I got weaker...
Plugged a tire on the fancy electric car yesterday just like it was a whole lot older technology. Worked a charm but I need a bigger floor jack for that battery laden beast...

 

[rontaki]

I bought a tire plug kit about 15 yrs ago. Few things have served me so well. Back then I was supervising construction. A lot of supervision was done from the airconditioned comfort of my truck while running over nails and wires etc. Plugged many a tire right on the truck or car over the years. I'm getting older now, The plug kit still works but I have to take the tires off so I can just about sit on the plug installer to push it through the cords Tires got tougher r I got weaker...
Plugged a tire on the fancy electric car yesterday just like it was a whole lot older technology. Worked a charm but I need a bigger floor jack for that battery laden beast...

You should see the insides of my SxS tires. They look like a forest of black trees was harvested

 

[CalG]

I've DOUBLE PLUGGED tires!

And for two wheelers, plugs can save the day.

I need to get another kit now that I have two bikes that I use regularly. (not so much in winter, which is coming quickly. 39 degrees F expected tonight.)

 

[anomad]

Gummy worms work just fine. Used them many times.

 

[ning]

I plugged a motorcycle tire in a pinch.
It got me home, and I got the tire replaced as soon as I could after - I wouldn't deliberately ride a motorcycle on a plugged tire.
Other tires though... probably.

 

[grsthegreat]

Ive never had luck with plugs. I got a flat on my side by side and pulled out my old plug kit. The plugs were still real sticky. I plugged hole. A few days later it was flat again. I took tire to Les Schaub tire to get fixed. All they did was replug it and charged me 21.00

A week later, flat again. I took it back and made them pull tire and patch. We will see if it holds. This was done last tuesday.

 

[RjCorazza]

I've had such good luck plugging tires I keep a kit and small compressor in all of my road vehicles.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I've plugged tires for years. If you lube the plug up with tire patch cement it goes in a lot easier and it also seems to seal quicker. I've also noticed that on steel belted radials the patch will leak after approximately 10-12,000 km's. I usually take them to a tire shop and have a patch installed unless the tire has very little life left.

 

[eolesen]

Plug with a patch is the best option. Bought a HF tire changing jig with a bead breaker that works well enough on a car or larger SxS tire.

 

[WinterDeere]

Ive never had luck with plugs.

That's really surprising. I have plugged maybe 10-15 tires in 35 years of driving, and every last one of them held. Even those that were real questionable, like right at transition from tread to sidewall or in a tire worn totally bald, the plugs held.

My use of the kit is infrequent enough, I guess once every 2-3 years on average, that I always have to re-read the instructions or watch a quick YouTube to be sure I'm fresh on the details of doubling back and withdrawing the tool. I also never saw any clear consensus on whether or when to use the liquid rubber cement that comes with most kits, so I usually just skip it, knowing it increases the chance of accidentally pulling the plug tail(s) back out when withdrawing the tool.

I'm still young enough that I'll do it even on a half-inflated tire... no need to even remove it from the vehicle if I can access it on the ground.