BFS
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Plugs
I was just reading the thread about tires and saw mentioned a few times "plugs" to repair a flat. What are plugs? Sounds like a must have in the old
beater.
Gracias!
Bfs
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monoloco
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They are just a piece of rubber that you stick in a puncture with glue, they usually come in a kit with the glue and a tool to insert the plug.
Available at most auto parts stores.
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Barry A.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
They are just a piece of rubber that you stick in a puncture with glue, they usually come in a kit with the glue and a tool to insert the plug.
Available at most auto parts stores. |
On tire repairs you usually get what you pay for. I have always used SAFETY SEAL tire plugs----for at least 30 years-----and have NEVER had one fail
on me. It is the only repair you will need if the puncture is on the face of the tire, and not too big. (pencil size, or less). I can't say the
same for el cheapo tire repair "plug" kits. The best is well worth the extra money, even tho SAFETY SEAL kits are kinda pricey-------they are worth
every penny when you need something good, and that will outlast the tire.
Just my experience.
Barry
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woody with a view
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i get the walmart GREEN LABEL plugs for all of our heavy equipment on the jobsite.
dirt cheap, and in 20 years of plugging a tire i have yet to have the plug fail before the tire was replaced, on the job or in the middle of nowhere
down baja way....
i've heard that US tire places won't plug a tire nowdays.... they have been sued too many times. your mileage will vary.
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Barry A.
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True, Woody--------repair shops in the USA will NOT use plugs on tires anymore, at least that is my experience. However, like you, I have never had a
plug fail, except when the puncture was so big that we had to use 3 plugs in one hole, and then it did leak a little. Very rare, tho. My son has
even plugged sidewall holes, and had them stand up indeffinitely. The "shops" seem to always tell you that a sidewall cut or puncture means the tire
is ruined--------I say not necessarily so, and have the experience to back that up.
To each his/her own, of course.
I still think you get what you pay for, but whatever.  I will stick with my
SAFETY SEAL kit (since I already own it). 
Barry
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bajalou
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I've plugged many sidewalls with never a problem. Here in San Felipe the tire shops will plug a sidewall they can't put a patch on because of the
flex. They also will vulcanize a tire to repair large holes. I always carry a plug kit, you just never know when you'll need it.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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RnR
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I have used plugs on many tires over the years and never had a problem until recently.
The last tire I plugged delaminated the tread from the casing after about 500 miles. The delam originated at the site of the plug. It appears that
the plug did not exactly follow the puncture hole into the tire. So, instead of making a seal at the inner surface of the tire it only made a seal
out in the tread area. The punture at the inner surface of the casing was still open and allowed high pressure air to travel along the puncture hole
until stopped by the plug in the tread area. The high pressure air got into the tire between the tread and casing and separated the two resulting in
a 10" long delamination bubble in the tread. The rough ride alerted me to the developing problem before the tire came completely apart.
I will still use plugs. Just will be extremely careful to EXACTLY follow the puncture path. The instructions on the plug kits allude to this but
obviously without a full description of the consequences.
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Pacifico
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Here is the kind that I use:
http://www.blackjacktirerepair.com/index.asp?cat=10
Great little kits and they work awesome! A must have for Baja....
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stevelaubly
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I had a tire shop for many years and we always used plugs. Now days they make more money when they take apart the tire and patch it...They can also
look for more things wrong when they are hoisting your vehicle and poking around underneath.
Plugging is so fast and easy...If you see a screw or nail in your tire before it goes flat, if you're quick, you can pull out the nail and plug the
hole before you lose the air...and you can do it without jacking up the vehicle.
[Edited on 2-19-2011 by stevelaubly]
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bajabass
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Having owned a tire shop for over 20 years, I will never use a plug for longer than it takes to reach the closest tire shop. You are stretching the
casing to force it in, allowing moisture and other contaminates to enter the wound. Use one to get to a shop, then have it repaired properly. I have
used plug patches for years. Basically a patch with a plug through the center, filling the hole and sealing it well. I have seen many tires eventually
separate/delaminate at the repair point. sometimes with catastrophic results!
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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woody with a view
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i respect your point of view as a tire shop owner. however, my experience- however limited-yet still 100% valid, says plugs last as long as the tire
if used correctly.
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bajabass
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I respect yours as well Woody. Odds are you will never have a problem. I would never gamble with my customers safety. I have done many things on my
own vehicles that would never have left the shop on a customer's car or truck. In California, the "I'll sue" state, just not worth it. Fix it right,
or adios!
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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msteve1014
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I also have a SAFETY SEAL kit. It has worked very well the few times I needed it. I have the tire removed and patched when it is convenient, later. I
think the best part is not having to change wheels, and then put the spare back when you are in a bad spot.
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