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.

 

[DarkBlack]

I’ve always used cheap simple gummy worms on all tires. They usually last me the lifetime of the tire. I usually end up forgetting they’re there, until I put on a new tire, and see it in the old carcass.

 

[D&D]

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

 

[Runner]

I use them a lot. Can only remember one failing because it was in a sidewall. I usually just lube them with spit (ewwwww) which does not seem to affect the sealing ability.

I keep a plug kit and air compressor in every vehicle (especially the one that does not have a spare).

 

[scootr]

So many cars come without a spare these days. Manufacturers claim cost, weight, and space savings while giving the middle finger to the buyer.

 

[Runner]

So many cars come without a spare these days. Manufacturers claim cost, weight, and space savings while giving the middle finger to the buyer.

Mine came with a 12V compressor and a can of Fix-A-Flat. You are then expected to actually fix the tire at a later time. I would rather just fix it once and be done with it.

The bad thing is the compressor it comes with can't be used by itself. It appears the can of goo must be inserted between the compressor and the tire. So I wound up just buying a dedicated 12V compressor from HF and I carry that, plus a jack (which the car also didn't come with) and the plug kit.

 

[LHF2019]

I've plugged tires before. Not often though. Just get them patched.

A plug also got me a new tire for my baler from JD. Bought a new baler and within couple months started losing air. Finally went flat. Upon inspection the new tire had a plug in it. Called JD and said I needed to warranty a tire. Was told we don't do that. I buy a new baler I expect it to come with new tires, not repaired tires. Had me a new tire immediately. Fixed the original tire and had a spare.

 

[pmsmechanic]

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 turn the installation tool about a quarter to a third of a turn before removing. That helps keep the tails where they belong.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Hurricane Lily hit my area in late 2002, and I started my lawn care business in early 2003. There were many homes that had roofs replaced after the hurricane. I had to carry plugs in my trucks for several years, because the mowers would pick up roofing nails. It's been a few years since we've had a bad storm, and I'm no longer in the mowing business, but I still keep plugs in my shop. I have 5 trailers and 5 tractors, and I use a plug on them every now and then.

 

[Hughman]

I've plugged tires for many years, usually with good results. Occasionally a plug will dry out and start to leak in which case I simply replace it with a new one. One time on a RV tire I had the tread separate where it developed a leak around a plug between the belts and the tread.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I've plugged tires on just about everything for decades, including a filled tire on the M6040 and on a near new 911 Turbo S.

I carry good compressors and seal kits in most of my vehicles whether they have a spare or not since it's so much quicker to plug a tire.

Of course, not all plug kits are the same. I only use the Safety Seal ones. Also, I add the Slim plugs to the kit since most punctures are too small to warrant using the standard plugs.

Lastly, for tires that won't build up heat and finish the vulcanization process that way, like a car or pickup would, I set the two stubs that stick out on fire for a little bit. That trick I learned from a BFGoodrich race team tech.