Tire plug or patch

37chief · Mar 22, 2019

I usually patch my own tires with a inside patch. My local tire shop patches tires free. So I thought why not give them a try. They installed a plug, not an inside patch. Plugs should be ok as they are a nation wide business, and can't liable themselves for poor work. I am sure a plug is fine for passenger cars, but what about my trailer tire with 90 lbs of air. Any thoughts? This shop also checks air for free. I guess if they get enough cars coming through, sooner or latter they will sell a few tires. Stan

Mike M · Mar 22, 2019

I thought tire shops had to use a inside type patch ? And many will not even do those especially if it is anywhere near the edge.

MarkB_MI · Mar 22, 2019

If a tire shop plugs one of my tires, that's the last time it gets my business. I've had shops tell me they would do an inside patch, then still plug it and try to tell me it was patched. As far as I know, none of the tire makers approve of the use of plugs.

I do keep the stuff on hand to do a plug if I'm caught with a bad leak on the weekend when the shops are closed. I also keep a plug kit under the seat of my motorcycle in case I'm stuck in the boonies. If I have to use it (and I haven't), my plan is to replace the tire at the earliest opportunity.

moresmoke · Mar 22, 2019

My take on it is a proper repair is a rubber plug and a patch. Either two separate pieces, or one of the unitized plug patch combos. Either way the tires gotta come off the rim.

Sprint 6 · Mar 22, 2019

You sure it's not a plug patch? Those have a rubber stem in the center of an inside patch that pulls out through the hole and is then trimmed. They can resemble a simple plug from the outside. There has to be something to plug the hole to keep the steel belts from moisture. Simple flat patches are for tubes.

SARG · Mar 22, 2019

Always used plugs for at least four decades without any issue.

Goose · Mar 22, 2019

I'm not going to argue pros and cons, but I used to sell "Blackjack" plugs by the gross to tire shops. Just sayin'.

JOCCO · Mar 22, 2019

Well I have used stick plugs, rope and dope and what ever else they are called for years. They work well on small holes. An inside patch is probably better but there are ones that go through and open up like an umbrella. But I had trouble getting them through the tire. States and different companies have laws and policy on this subject.

mmfan55 · Mar 22, 2019

I prefer inside patches. Plugs just have issues too often. If you think about it: tire air pressure is pushing a plug out. Pressure pushes a patch more firmly against tires

SVcummins · Mar 22, 2019

I have used plugs in trailer before with a little extra glue and let them sit overnight this was in a trailer house tire

stonerock · Mar 22, 2019

use all tech-rubber plugs with no problem

hd6gtom · Mar 22, 2019

Guys if you are gonna put a plug in anything besides a lawn mower tire you better have millions is dollars in liability insurance. I spent 22 years owning a tire shop. We recieced free subscriptions to several trade magazines and the horror storys some tire repair shop were experiencing because they used plugs instead of an approved patch were unbelievable. Never put a plug in anything that's going on any roadway.

SVcummins · Mar 22, 2019

I will continue to use plugs and power service why? Because they work

RedMF40 · Mar 22, 2019

(quoted from post at 16:42:03 03/22/19) Guys if you are gonna put a plug in anything besides a lawn mower tire you better have millions is dollars in liability insurance. I spent 22 years owning a tire shop. We recieced free subscriptions to several trade magazines and the horror storys some tire repair shop were experiencing because they used plugs instead of an approved patch were unbelievable. Never put a plug in anything that's going on any roadway.

This is what I've been told by several tire professionals over the years. Something about compromising the steel within the tire if you use a plug.

CKain(MI) · Mar 22, 2019

1963 I worked in a service station, Rt28 MA. Near Buzzards Bay. Installed 100's of plugs, thought they were great, put vehicle on the hoist, find the leak, plug it, never remove tire.
We did have a gadget that installed a 'mushroom' shaped plug. The 'cap' ended up inside the tire to help seal the hole.
Wish I had one today. Guess we were lucky regarding later issues.

rustred · Mar 22, 2019

I had a tire fixed not too long ago, went to pick up my truck tire and the guy says "ya we put a plug in it" . I said "what, thought that was obsolete stuff" he said come with me, went into the service bay and he showed me what he did. he put a plug in but its a patch also. plus you need to remove the tire also. you pull the plug through then the patch is stuck to the tire. excess plug is trimmed of out side tire. its all one unit. after showing me this I felt better. its a perfectly safe deal! actually better than just a patch because the road salts don't contact the steel belt and start rusting it. his explanation also.

rustred · Mar 22, 2019

ya right! so many of those old style plugs have been used its nuts. its all improved now. once I had the demo and explanation its the only way to go.

sotxbill · Mar 22, 2019

Times have changed.
while string plugs are outlawed in radial tires and cause tires to get air between the belts and then separate, patches alone are no longer recommended as the wire belts can rust from the outside.

"""A plug by itself or a patch by itself is not an acceptable repair because the plug does not permanently seal the innerliner and the patch does not fill the void left by the penetrating object, which allows water to enter the body of the tire and starting corroding the steel belts."""

So the combo is now the preferred repair.

Mike M · Mar 23, 2019

Those are the type I was talking about.

buickanddeere · Mar 23, 2019

the plugs with the patch attached are best .

Tire plug or patch

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