Punctures on slimed tubes

[Lenard]

Can you fix them with normal patch and solution, I tried but it is not working??

[Wheelspin]

I've been told (by a fairly reliable source), that if you clean the area very well with PETROL and a rag that you can patch it. Just don't use glueless patches.

 

I remain skeptical but he swears that he has done it on his off road bike and it works.

[andretraut]

You can try, but I reckon if the sealant can't fix it, bin it.

[Lenard]

Thanks, tubeless here I come..

[akneethling]

Thanks, tubeless here I come..

 

Thats Probably your best option. That being said, on the slimed tube.......... Use a bigger patch, and once patched put a weight on the patch, and let it stand for a while. I've done this successfully a few times.

 

But Tubeless is the way to go.

[DubbelBuys]

Sort of on the subject.

 

What would be the best slime to use.

 

My bro isn't having too much luck with stans on his bike's tubes.

 

when I changed tyres (running tubeless) +- a month ago I saw that there were some greenish looking slime in the tubes. Have got stans in now with no probs so far, but the greenish slime just seems to be a tad thicker & never had a flat with the old tyres in +-500km.

[Skirminkel]

Thanks, tubeless here I come..

 

Without a doubt the best option. With regards to slime, try Slimepro. That green one.

Edited May 17, 2012 by Skirminkel

[Johan Bornman]

Of course you can fix it. It is a standard butyl tube and nothing other that contamination prevents a patch to vulcanise perfectly to it.

 

Clean the area by either abrading it with some sandpaper or using a non-oily solvent like acetone or alcohol. This is to remove the release agent (Spray and Cook) that is still present on the outside of the tube after manufacture.

 

Make sure none of the sealant re-contaminates the area. Do NOT touch the sanded area and judge your job by looking for a uniform dull patch on the otherwise white-ish tube.

 

Apply solution to an area larger than the patch. Wait for it to dry completely. This will take 5 minutes on a hot day, 20 on a day like today.

 

Now peel the foil from the patch and without touching the business end, apply it firmly. Leave the cellophane on there for now and apply pressure. Leave it for a good 20 minutes before attempting to remove the cellophane. Do this by folding the patched area double and pricking the centre of the now-stretched area with a sharp knife to split it. Now peel it from the inside out. Don't attempt to peel from the outside in unless you're good at it.

 

Your tube is as good as new, you are R60 not out of pocket and the environment smiles.

[TNT1]

Of course you can fix it. It is a standard butyl tube and nothing other that contamination prevents a patch to vulcanise perfectly to it.

 

Clean the area by either abrading it with some sandpaper or using a non-oily solvent like acetone or alcohol. This is to remove the release agent (Spray and Cook) that is still present on the outside of the tube after manufacture.

 

Make sure none of the sealant re-contaminates the area. Do NOT touch the sanded area and judge your job by looking for a uniform dull patch on the otherwise white-ish tube.

 

Apply solution to an area larger than the patch. Wait for it to dry completely. This will take 5 minutes on a hot day, 20 on a day like today.

 

Now peel the foil from the patch and without touching the business end, apply it firmly. Leave the cellophane on there for now and apply pressure. Leave it for a good 20 minutes before attempting to remove the cellophane. Do this by folding the patched area double and pricking the centre of the now-stretched area with a sharp knife to split it. Now peel it from the inside out. Don't attempt to peel from the outside in unless you're good at it.

 

Your tube is as good as new, you are R60 not out of pocket and the environment smiles.

 

I leave the cellophane on, and stick the damn thing back in the tyre...

[scotty]

As mentioned it can be done, i also sometimes use the lazy method. If i get a puncture and find the reason is the slime has been used up and the new hole where air is escaping is small i remove the tube valve , top up with slime, refit to wheel spin and pump. Done this twice to punctures on different wheels and both are still good.

[Johan Bornman]

I leave the cellophane on, and stick the damn thing back in the tyre...

 

Don't be lazy. If you leave the cellophone on, it causes a schlopp shlopp shlopp noise on lightweight tyres every time the patch hits the road. It reminds me too much of a similar noise I get when I ride over a chihauhua with my MTB and it gets stuck in the knobblies.

[Wheelspin]

Johan, great info as always. But what are the different rubbers used to make tubes and are some better candidates than others for patches ?

 

How can you tell which is which ?