Fitting a tyre patch, especially for a puncture repair from the inside, involves several crucial steps to ensure a durable and safe seal. This process often utilizes a combination patch, featuring both a plug to fill the puncture channel and a patch to seal the inner liner of the tyre.
Repairing a punctured tyre correctly from the inside is vital for maintaining the tyre's integrity and preventing future air leaks or structural issues. Unlike temporary external plug repairs, an internal patch repair is considered a more permanent solution for certain types of punctures within the repairable area of the tyre.
Steps for Fitting an Internal Plug Patch
The process typically requires removing the tyre from the wheel and preparing the damaged area on the inside. Here's a breakdown of the key steps involved in fitting this type of tyre patch:
- Locate and Prepare the Injury: Find the puncture location on the inside of the tyre. Mark it clearly. Examine the puncture channel from both the inside and outside to ensure it's suitable for repair (e.g., not too large, not in the sidewall). Remove any foreign objects.
- Clean the Inner Liner: Use a tyre buffer or cleaning solution to clean the area around the puncture on the inside of the tyre. The cleaned area should be slightly larger than the patch size.
- Ream the Puncture Channel: Use a reamer tool to clean and prepare the puncture channel itself. This removes debris and creates a smooth surface for the plug to adhere to.
- Apply Repair Cement: Apply a specialized tyre repair cement evenly to the cleaned area on the inner liner and inside the reamed puncture channel. Allow the cement to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, which often means letting it become tacky.
- Insert the Plug Patch: From the inside of the tire, insert the plug patch into the injury channel. The plug part of the patch should be fed through the hole.
- Pull the Stem Through: Using pliers, pull the stem through the tire until the rubber stem appears through the injury on the outside tread surface. This ensures the plug fully fills the puncture channel.
- Seat the Patch: Firmly press the patch portion onto the prepared inner liner surface, working from the center outwards to eliminate any trapped air bubbles. A roller tool is often used for this step to ensure maximum adhesion.
- Trim the Excess: Once the patch is fully seated, use a sharp knife or cutter to trim the excess stem material flush with the outer tread surface.
- Inspect and Test: Inspect the repair visually. Remount the tyre, inflate it to the correct pressure, and check for leaks using soapy water.
Fitting a tyre patch properly involves careful preparation, the correct materials, and following specific steps to ensure a strong, airtight bond and a successful repair.
