Tire Plug Vs Patch

‍Tire Plug vs. Patch

You should consider plugging your tire only under certain circumstances. When it comes to plugging a tire, the first thing you should think about is if it's even safe to do so. Depending on the tread on your tire, the degree of damage, and the size of the puncture, you may not be able to patch your tire with a plug. The punctured hole must be no bigger than 0.25 inches in diameter and must be positioned on your tire's tread. You'll need to replace the tire if the hole is on the sidewall or shoulder.

The direction of the puncture also has a significant impact on the plug's effectiveness. The nail or anything that punctured your tire generally goes straight in. A quick repair would be the right way to go in this situation. On the other hand, if the tire gets punctured at an angle, it may be a struggle to properly seal the perforated area with a plug. You should take note of the type of screw or nail and the angle at which it penetrated the tire.

Another factor to consider while plugging is the age and quality of the tire. If your tire's tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch or less, it's too far gone to be filled with plugging. You can use the classic penny test to measure the tread. If your tire doesn't pass the test, you should get a new one.

When it comes to your vehicle's safety, it's better to leave it to the professionals. If you have your tire fixed by a licensed technician, you can be assured that the job will be done correctly.

Can a Plug Do More Harm than Good?

The most serious issue with driving on a plugged tire is that it still has a hole in it! While this may be a workaround, it's vital to remember that your tire still has a structural problem that needs to be addressed.

It seems to reason that a blocked tire will not be able to withstand the same amount of stress and strain as a tire in optimum condition. This is especially true when driving on the highway at higher speeds. Once a tire has been fixed, the manufacturer will no longer maintain its speed rating. A blocked tire will not work if you plan on racing, off-roading, or just want to speed up.

The minor puncture will likely get larger over time. As a result, you'll lose more air, and your vehicle will be prone to a blowout on the road. Furthermore, the plug could fail while you're driving, leaving you right back where you started.

Why Is It Better To Replace The Tire?

The best way to fix a damaged tire or a flat tire is to replace it. A tire patch or plug may offer a temporary solution to the problem, but keep in mind that a plug is only supposed to be a temporary remedy.

While it may be appealing to test how far a five-dollar repair will get you, the implications of a plugged tire failing are considerably worse than if the tire had been replaced in the first place.

Tire Plugs

A tire plug is made of pliable rubber that expands when fitted into a puncture and prevents air from escaping. Tire plugging should only be used as a temporary remedy for a damaged tire, not as a long-term solution for tire repair. A tire plug is a greasy, expanding device that is inserted into the damaged portion of the tire from the outside and adjusted until no air leaks out. Although the leak may have stopped, it's tempting to assume that the tire has been mended and is ready to go; nevertheless, this is not the case.

Plugs are the best option when you run over a nail or other blunt object that punctures the tire and causes it to leak air. The plug can be put into the hole after the nail or sharp object has been removed to stop the leak. While earlier plugs were difficult and more of a band-aid kind of repair, many modern plugs actually vulcanize to the tire to provide superior stability.

Tire plugs are easy to install and are super inexpensive. However, a plug is very much capable of failing, which is never a good thing. Most plug failures are caused by holes that are too large for the plug or are otherwise irregularly shaped, in which case the damage should have rather been repaired.

Tire Patches

A patched tire is one that has had a patch sealant placed to the exterior of the tire where the leak is. A properly patched tire should, for the most part, allow you to drive safely for an extended period of time. This is a far more powerful and successful method of fixing a tire.

Patch repairs take longer and cost more since they are usually done by professional technicians who have the equipment to detach and remount the tire. However, patching is not necessary for minor holes that can simply be sealed.

A patch is thought to be a higher-quality tire repair. It is, however, a more time-consuming repair than a plug. The patch is then moved from the interior of the tire to the outside, sealed, and left to dry.

A plug/patch combination product is the greatest modern tire repair solution. This is a single component that incorporates the greatest features of both alternatives.

When Should You Replace Your Tires?

Keep in mind that you should never use a plug or a patch to fix any damage that is within an inch of either sidewall. When the tire is rolling, the sidewall and shoulder portions flex too much, causing any repairs to come loose, resulting in an unanticipated and catastrophic loss of air while driving and eventually a crash or blowout.

Another consideration is that if the tire has been under low pressure for more than a few hundred yards, the sidewalls are likely to be damaged. The sidewalls of a tire begin to collapse when it loses air. The sidewalls will start to collapse and sooner or later rub and fold over against each other. The rubber liner will be scrubbed from the inside of the sidewalls until the sidewall is irreparably destroyed.

If you see a "stripe" of wear circling the sidewall of the tire that is softer to the touch than the rest of the sidewall, or if you remove the tire and find large amounts of "rubber dust" inside – do not repair or put air pressure into the tire because it is extremely dangerous. Instead, go ahead and get a new tire.