AI6YR BenMar 31, 2025
Ha, randomly was able to try out my new tire repair kit. Someone got a flat tire and pulled into our street in the dark and rain, and I went outside to figure out what the heck was going on. Pulled out the massive flashlight, plus my tire kit and we fixed their flat with the kit! (always nice to learn how to fix a flat when it's not YOUR flat...). (Update: kit similar to the one below, bunch of them out there) #doagoodturndaily
Show threadAI6YR Ben

Important lessons:

1. NEED TO HAVE PLIERS to pull the nail/whatever that is in your tire. NO PLIERS? NO FIX. (no pliers are in the kit)

2. It's a LOT easier if there is some kind of lubricant available to insert the plug. This kit doesn't include lubricant, but the folks who had the flat's brother (who came to help, and knew how to use the kit) says it's a lot easier with lubricant to get the plug into the tire. (Edit: apparently the kits typically come with rubber cement as lubricant)

#lessons #carrepair #tirerepair

Mar 31, 2025 at 3:33amWeb
Show threadColin WarrenMar 31, 2025
@ai6yr Yes to both! I plugged lots of flats working in an auto shop many years ago—and a pair of angle cutters lets you cut the plug flat with the tread
Show threadAI6YR BenMar 31, 2025
@cvwarren What kind of lubricant did you use?
Show threadColin WarrenMar 31, 2025
@ai6yr I guess I didn’t quite describe the second correctly—you want it to adhere to the runner of the tire, so we would put a vulcanizing cement on the patch before pushing it into the tread of the tire, like this one: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7651198
Show threadAI6YR BenMar 31, 2025
@cvwarren Aha! Yeah, looks like that's what some kits come with. I may have to look for something that is small and can be replaced often then... I mean, we were able to get the plug in, but it was some work.
Show threadsergio_101Mar 31, 2025

@ai6yr
i feel like i used soapy water a few times..

And some kits come with rubber cement..

Show threadAI6YR BenMar 31, 2025
@sergio_101 Yeah, I was thinking soapy water would be the ticket, because it wouldn't get in the way of the plug vulcanizing to the rubber.
Show threadAnne OminousMar 31, 2025

@ai6yr

so nice of you!
but omg, i started thinking of bicycle flats.
lol no. this is a car!

good tips.
i always carried one of those flat fix kits on road trips.. even knowing the pliers are needed (my ex has done a few over the years)... i cant remember if i brought them too! luckily i never needed it on a trip and hopefully never will.

Show threadAI6YR BenMar 31, 2025
@rustoleumlove I haven't needed to either, but bought this kit after seeing how many people have had issues after natural disasters (where getting a flat fixed is hard/impossible and nails are everywhere, i.e. an earthquake or hurricane). Also, Ukraine, where flats were a big issue. (people were stripping tires off abandoned vehicles because of flats, as well).
Show threadJohn TimaeusApr 1, 2025

@ai6yr @rustoleumlove

When I was a mechanic (~2 decades ago) the plugs came with a dip to melt the outside layer a bit. It was usually a xylene/acetone mix.
I've also seen people dip the plug in gasoline, then set it on fire. You plunge it in just before it burns out and make a knot -- hot rubber binds well.

Show threadAI6YR BenApr 1, 2025
@johntimaeus @rustoleumlove 😂 "dip the plugs in gasoline and set it on fire"
Show threadJohn TimaeusApr 1, 2025

@ai6yr @rustoleumlove

First time I saw somebody do that, I thought I was pure machismo.
Then I thought about softening the exterior layers with a solvent, heating, and vulcanization.
It might be pure machismo, but like old wives tales, there may be a shred of science underlying the ritual.

Show threadAI6YR BenApr 1, 2025
@johntimaeus @rustoleumlove Oh, it makes perfect sense, but....
Show threadAsbestosApr 1, 2025

@johntimaeus

@ai6yr @rustoleumlove
Project Farm did a test of these types of kits
https://youtu.be/HcyscXvmXeY?si=tpU9XX4q0qcu-1Sq

Best Tire Repair Kit? SLIME, Westweld, Dynaplug, Grand Pitstop

YouTube
Show threadAI6YR BenApr 1, 2025
@Asbestos @johntimaeus @rustoleumlove BUT DID THEY SET IT ON FIRE WITH GASOLINE? 🤪
Show threadAsbestosApr 1, 2025

@ai6yr

@johntimaeus @rustoleumlove
There used to be hot patch kits for tubes. You'd put the patch on and then set it on fire to vulcanize it.

Show threadAnne OminousApr 1, 2025

@johntimaeus @ai6yr

lol i am pretty sure i watched a mechanic do this way back when i was in college and stopped at a gas station to get a flat fixed.

Show threadCavedale RhônesMar 31, 2025
@ai6yr My kit has a small jar of lubricant that looks a bit like petroleum jelly. I have used that kit far more than I ever thought I would. Right up there with the kit for compressing the brake cylinder while replacing the pads. Worth the cost many times over.
Show threadMac - VA3WFTMar 31, 2025
@ai6yr I’ve seen these kits used at tire shops. They use soapy water in a spray bottle as the lube as well as checking the fix.