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Which tube patch kit? Which tube patch kit?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  • 1 Post By Big Yellow Tractor
  • 1 Post By Two wheels good
  • 1 Post By Xander

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  #1  
Old 10 Jul 2016
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Which tube patch kit?
So I think my current tally for puncture repairs in the sun on the road is about 10. You'd think I'd be the one with all the answers but no!

The problem: I cannot make a patch repair that fixes the hole for more than 500-1000km. I've followed all the tips and my process goes something like:

1. Notice flat, swear - coast to breakdown point in the shade
2. Pull wheel off, remove tube
3. Find puncture, remove source from tyre
4. Prepare tube around hole with sandpaper (or saw of army knife - gently)
5. Wash with petrol
6. Apply solvent to big area, allow to go tacky
7. Clap on patch and press down hard for 30 secs (sometimes under sidestand)
7a. Stop to talk to locals, have a go with their shotgun
8. Wait 5 min, install and re-inflate
500km later - repeat, patch has blown out between tube and patch (delaminated).

The only permanent fixes have been going to the vulcaniser guy and putting a new tube in.

Any recommendations, the kit I normally use is the (seemly universal) cheap one e.g. Also available everywhere, probably cheaper!

Cheers

TK

edit: We did once set fire to the solvent, fun but no more successful
Last edited by tk0345; 10 Jul 2016 at 14:31. Reason: forgot something
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  #2  
Old 11 Jul 2016
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Rema Tip Top make great patches and glue. Just search ebay although I use this seller Rema Tip Top, Tyre Inner Tube Products items in Puncturesafe South store on eBay!

I have got a few various sizes and also a couple of really big and thick ones that I think might make a good fist of repairing damage to a tyre
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  #3  
Old 11 Jul 2016
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Wash with petrol? I've never heard that one before. I'd skip that step.

Other tips that may be useful - if you've not already tried them!
Don't use excess glue. A gentle scrape with the edge of a blade after applying glue may be useful.
Press down patch from centre to edge, e.g. with rounded end of screwdriver handle if you don't have a roller.
Before fitting to tyre, dry area with excess solvent with talc, flour or even fine dust.
And - is the glue past its best?
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  #4  
Old 11 Jul 2016
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Has anyone successfully used the large radial patches for use in/on car tires?
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  #5  
Old 12 Jul 2016
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first yes Rema Tip top are the best patches.

the Steps

1. Notice flat, swear - coast to breakdown point in the shade
2. Pull wheel off, remove tube
3. Find puncture, remove source from tyre
4. Prepare tube around hole with sandpaper, use sandpaper or diamond paper or the metal abrader thingy do not use your knife gently you will not get it rough enough
5. DO NOT WASH WITH PETROL.. this has solvents, lubricants and other additives that can effect your glue....(pure alcohol is the only thing you should even consider washing it with)
6. Apply solvent to big area, allow to go tacky . Put small patch of vulcanizing solution 2 inches to the left and only touch that, never the real hole glue area . make sure you are using the right Vulcanizing solution (I recommend rema tip top SVS-VUL) / Glue ... Solvent does not mean glue/ vulcanizing solution..carry at least 2 tubes all glues only have about 1 yr shelf life...
7. Clap on patch and press down hard for 10 secs (sometimes under sidestand)
7A1: This is the most important part.
rub vigorously with tyre iron/spoon/back of wrench... anything roundish really... until it gets hot enough for the REMA TIP top clear top cover of the patch to fall off with out you touching it.. This is the most important part.

7a. Stop to talk to locals, have a go with their shotgun (this maybe why your tyres are going flat.... hehehe)
8. Wait 5 min, install and re-inflate
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  #6  
Old 12 Jul 2016
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Vulcanisation is the only solution I trust, so I change the tube for my spare, then when I get to a town I get the old tube vulcanised and refitted to the tyre, and stash my spare for the next time.
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  #7  
Old 12 Jul 2016
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I've never had a glued patch fail me (aside from a few times early on when I tried using old, thickened tubes of glue). That goes for at least several dozen repairs to motorcycle and bicycle tires alike, sometimes rushed or under dire circumstances like rain, mass mosquito attack, or darkness. I think the OP's problem involves cleaning with gasoline.

In practical terms, carrying a few alcohol wipes with the patch kit is easy enough. Fresh tubes of glue are crucial. More to the point, I've always got at least one spare tube to install, so I hardly ever do my patching by road or trailside any more. That's saved me a lot of irritation over the years.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #8  
Old 12 Jul 2016
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Helpful replies with a lot of good points. Glad it is just (mostly) me!
Thank you all!

spare tubes is probably the best, swap and vulcanise but they are awfully bulky. I guess between 3 bikes one set isn't so bad.
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  #9  
Old 12 Jul 2016
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Nowadays I tour long distances using mousses, so punctures are something of the past.

But when I was using tubes, the ones fitted to the bike were heavy duty (so high speed is out) and my spares were normal thickness
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Old 13 Jul 2016
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IMHO if you are going to swap out and still patch. It better to do it all at the same time. (e.g. Remove replace, patch, store) if you leave your "spare" un-patched Mr Murphy will make sure you get an other flat and then you have to do 2.
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Old 13 Jul 2016
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I doubt doing it in a windy desert will yield the same result as in a hotel (or tent) with a cold one.

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