Ever Used RTV Sealant For ATV Tire Repair?

[Xhumeka]

Has anyone ever tried using RTV Sealant for tire repair?

I removed a tire from a rim to have a look at a sidewall puncture (about 1/2" wide) - but the inside of the tire is very "textured" - ie it is not a smooth flat surface so trying to use a tube-patch kit wouldn't work very well.

I was considering taking the dremel to the inside of the tire to create a nice smooth surface for my patch to sit on, when out of the corner of my eye I spotted my half-used RTV sealant tube.

The MacGuyver in me took over, and before I knew it I had dolloped a generous amount of RTV sealant on the inside wall of my tire, and I had smoothed it over as best I could with my fingers. This morning I had a look - it hardened nicely and seems like it might do a decent job! Because the wall flexes so much, I thought RTV sealant will hopefully work well since it can bend/move without "breaking" or pulling away.

Has anyone ever tried this, and if so, did it last very long :lol:

[SWIGIN]

If you ride hard I'd bet it wont last long. But I have and do use RTV on leaky beads.....but a nice thick bead of RTV around the wheel and fill with air to set the bead.

[Xhumeka]

If you ride hard I'd bet it wont last long. But I have and do use RTV on leaky beads.....but a nice thick bead of RTV around the wheel and fill with air to set the bead.

Yah, I'm sure you're right. In fact just now I tried to pick at a corner to see how strongly it would hold, and it seems to peel off relatively easily so I'm going to just forget this idea lmao.

So - back to fixing it... is my dremel idea the best solution, or is there some sort of sticky tar-like stuff I can use to patch it? I've heard a rumour that Shoe-Goo (http://www.eclecticproducts.com/shoegoo.htm) might work, anyone ever tried that?

(I'm trying to avoid tubing it, but if that's my only option so be it)

[obijuan]

the tire needs to be buffed smooth on the inside, then cleaned, then patch glue applied and a patch layed over, then "stitch" the patch.

google it.

[swampthang]

A friend of mine told me last week that when he was younger they used rvt and yarn to plug atc tires

[SWIGIN]

How bad is the hole? I have used real car plugs in the side wall of ATV tires in a pinch.... up to 3 or 4 in 1 hole and it held for awhile.

[WilliamJ]

I had very small hole in one of my slick race tyres - too small to see but big enough to let air through. The tyre man in the paddock refused to repair it as he said it might be dangerous - well that made no sense as strangely that's part of what draws me to racing. So, with tyres costing $150 each and me being a cheapskate, I got a bicycle patch and did a careful repair as described. Did a full season on it and no leaks.

BTW these tyres run at over 100 degrees C.

Might try the RTV but I'd use Sikaflex as my first choice and I'd use cllulose thinners to clean the site.

Bill

[Yamaha_Rules69]

You want a smooth, but slightly rough surface for a rubber circle patch to sit on. The best thing to use to rough up and flaten the area is deffinatly an angle grinder. Use a grinding wheel, and it will take you less than 10 seconds. Grab some rubber cement, put some on the damaged area, smear with finger, then put some on the patch. Place the patch over the puncture, and smooth out the patch with your fingers - starting in the middle and working your way out to eliminate any air bubbles. This works everytime. Good luck!

[Ryah]

Shoe goo works. Just make sure it's the original formula. Seems to be more flexable. I have even used the shoe goo to rebuild torn paddles on my LT80.