Tube patch

The very best patch is the old hot patch, but our infamous EPA outlawed them because of the fumes from heating the patch. You've got to be kidding you say..............my thoughts exactly.

Look on ebay and you can still find some hot patches. Otherwise as far as a good cold patch, I've never had a problem using TECH 2 way patches. Auto parts stores might have them.
 
I had the occasion to buy some patches at Fred Meyer (Kroger) in their automotive section a couple weeks ago. They had the bicycle patches, but also had automotive patches.

Only reason I went there was because NAPA/O'Riley/AutoZone were all closed when I needed it. Just one of the things you have to put up with when working late at night on a project. The sun doesn't tell a person when to quit here in the summertime!
 
I went by the local tire shop and they gave me a hand full of them. I did offer to pay, they said don't worry about it.....!
Nice patches.
 
We (Goodyear) used this method:

1. Mark the valve stem location on the tire sidewall. Dismount the tire. Inflate the tube, find the penetration, there may be more than one, and deflate the tube. Index the valve stem to the mark and find the hole or what punctured the tube. Take care of that or you may have another flat.

2. Buff the tube with low rpm coarse stone with a light touch. You just want some texture. Sandpaper will work. Buff an area larger than the patch.

3. Clean THOROUGHLY with rubber solvent. This removes oil, rubber dust, and other contaminates.

4. DO NOT blow with compressed air, it will oil the surface.

5. Spread chemical cement thin and evenly on buffed area, which should be larger than the patch. If the cement has turned cloudy or thick it has changed chemically. Use with care.

6. Let cement dry. DO NOT check for dry with anything but your knuckle at the edge outside the patch area.

7. Peel off patch backing without touching the down side, like a bandaid, and press on to glued area, centering on the penetration.

8. Stitch down the patch with a roller wheel preferably to get all air out and the patch thoroughly pressed down.

9. Reinflate and check for leak around the patch, the deflate again and install.

And you thought that it was simple. Most of you know how, but we were all learners at one time. But it will hold on a commercial truck tire until the tire wears out. One thing certain, you do not want a repair to fail at speed. I would not repair a tube used in the steer position except to get home. Carry a new tube, fix the flat later.

Any truck tire dealer, farm co-op, can furnish you with the correct materials. Or buy direct from Myers Tire Supply or other sellers.
 
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Willie Krash said:
I went by the local tire shop and they gave me a hand full of them. I did offer to pay, they said don't worry about it.....!
Nice patches.
Click to expand...
Willie,
There's LOTS of good folks out there!
In an emergency, late on Sunday afternoon, went to a tire shop with only 1 man still there. He patched my tire FREE & said, "It's a courtesy to our customers"----"I'm not a regular customer"---"You will be one NOW"!
YES, I PAID him, I'm not always CHEEP:D
Bill W.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
The very best patch is the old hot patch, but our infamous EPA outlawed them because of the fumes from heating the patch. You've got to be kidding you say..............my thoughts exactly.

I found some of those in "stuff" my father had. They are most likely about 30 years old.

They have a nice "press" that holds the patch next to the tire and then you light the paper on the back to heat them up.

I tried one about 40 years ago...worked real nice.

Marc
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I would rather have an old tube that holds air than a new tube that splits at the seams. China doesn't know how to make rubber products.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
I would rather have an old tube that holds air than a new tube that splits at the seams. China doesn't know how to make rubber products.
Click to expand...
Tom,
When I put new Cokers on Vermin, a Guy in Canada wanted to buy my OLD tubes, that ALWAYS held air! BUT, Gregg forgot to get the tubes, when he picked up my stuff @ Cokers' Store.
Bill W.
 
I've been using the Tech patches since the 70's.They work fine.I have some old hot patches,but I found they do not work well with the new type tubes.I am guessing it is the synthetic compound of the new tubes.I tried a couple of them on a backhoe tire,the composition of the rubber seemed to change under the hot spot.It actually got crumbly.If you apply the Tech patches right,you will tear the tube before you can pull the patch off.
 
I've always had good results with those stick on patches and if you are using them, make sure the glue is new. after as little as 6 months, it deteriorates and won't hold under pressure.
As for "It's better to patch an old tube than to use a new one that splits" - the days of crappy tubes is past. All of the suppliers I know of have lifted their game. I haven't heard of a new (that is, one bought recently rather than one not used before) tube splitting for a while now.
 
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