Tire Patch’s
Many of us have some pretty expensive OFFROAD tires that get punctured or ripped on the trail. I carry an assortment of these boots…plus a tube (also available in large sizes at Gemplers). They work pretty well and usually, at least get-you-out. For most, breaking the bead would be the problem (especially UTV tires…and the plug Safety Seal Kits are usually your only hope on the trail). A jack under the bumper for larger tires usually does the trick. Normal dismounting gets to the inside. Use the drop center, and be careful to not rough up the bead…or worse break it! Simple hand tools, a little knowledge and patience will do it easily.
In recent years I have not been real successful with patches or boots. Most patches were not sticking especially when the tire/tube heated up. …I blamed the EPA and no/heat glues, etc. At the SEMA show last year I asked several patch chemists what the problem was. All talked about the use of silicones now used to strip the tires from the molds. Those silicones need to be cleaned off BEFORE buffing or roughening the area where you patch. This means cleaning BEYOND the area where you intend to rough or you will just drag more into the area being patched. “Silicone loves rubber”
There are several styles and sizes of patches ranging from $2-$15. Buy a few, glue/vulcanizing cement, and pre-cleaner. Remember that these patches can be cut to size, and overlapped. Gemplers has a good selection of items. Best that I have seen… May save your day…
Criss-Cross Tire Patch
3″ x 3″ 2-ply Criss-Cross Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/0CC-1/3-x-3-2-ply-Criss-Cross-Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/2CC/8-x-8-4-ply-Criss-Cross-Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/3CC/10-x-10-5-ply-Criss-Cross-Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/1CC/5-x-5-2-ply-Criss-Cross-Boot-htttp://www.gemplers.com/product/9K/Rema-PN6S-9-1-4-6-ply-Bias-Repair-Unit-each
3 Ply Sidewall Boot
5-1/4″ x 7-1/4″ 3-ply Sidewall Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/7SW/12-x-18-6-ply-Sidewall-Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/3SW/5-1-4-x-7-1-4-3-ply-Sidewall-Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/5SW/7-1-2-x-13-1-4-5-ply-Sidewall-Boot
Oval Boot
7″ x 9-3/4″ 4-ply Oval Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/4L/7-x-9-3-4-4-ply-Oval-Boot
http://www.gemplers.com/product/2L/4-x-6-2-ply-Oval-Boot
Rema Super Cement
http://www.gemplers.com/product/VBS8/8-oz-can-Rema-Super-Cement
Careful with cements. They have a shelf life…especially when opened. I usually buy several small tubes with a BIG hit in pricing, but at least they will work when you need them.
Rema Liquid Pre-Buff Cleaner
16-oz. spray can Rema Liquid Pre-Buff Cleaner
http://www.gemplers.com/product/7B/16-oz-spray-can-Rema-Liquid-Pre-Buff-Cleaner
A note on cleaners. This is basically triclorethylene or, I believe, old dry cleaning fluid used in the 60’s. Basically bad stuff…but you won’t be around it long. You may have some stashed, or your old neighbor is ready to take an old can to the hazardous waste dump. Hexane is also used by some patch suppliers. MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) also does the job and Acetone is used around fiberglass. Usually paint shop grease and wax removers are not strong enough to get a good load of silicone off. I have heard of eyeglass cleaning cloths containing alcohol work in a pinch on select motorcycle tubes…but would opt for the stronger cleaners when making your tire “kit” make sure it is dry as most would probably also attack the cements used.
There is a Tire repair specialist at Gemplers, Don Kubly.
800-874-4755
dkubly@Gemplers.com
www.gemplers.com
Journalist: Ben Bower
Category: How Tos
