MTFCA Forum

I have a new set of metal stem MADE IN USA tubes I bought several years ago still like the day I bought them….. except for the 3/8” hole a mouse chewed in one. The local tire shop said it’s junk. Is there a way to patch the hole?

Depending on where the hole is I would certainly try patching it. I am running old thick wall tubes in many of my cars and at last count one of them had 6 patches and never requires airing up more than once a year. The problem may be getting a big enough patch and decent glue. If there is a truck tire place near you they may be able to help. No one wants to fix things any more, just throw it away and buy a new one they say!

If there is a truck tire place near you they may be able to help.

Yes, ask there. That's where I went after a kid at the chain store told me, "Nobody uses tubes anymore."

3/8 hole can be patched. My local parts store still has patch kits. Tractor Supply may have them. A bicycle shop may have them.

check the date on the adhesive if possible!

I have not had success with a modern tire patch kit and the glue provided.

Stay clear of hot vulcanising patches. They are not much use on modern synthetic rubber tubes.
Here in Oz, we have Rema brand patches and adhesive. The tube patches have a red "rubber" layer under the black outer layer. Tyre repair patches have a blue layer. As advised, be sure to use fresh adhesive. Old stuff thickens and does not react properly with the red under layer to make a good bond. I would be using a number 3 sized patch.

Check a tractor supply/repair shop. They should have the stuff, and probably the expertise to do the job, rather than buying box of patches and can of adhesive.

Allan from down under.

Stay away from the modern, peel and stick type patches. Find a type that uses seperate adhesive. Just thinking out loud here, but would a small piece of an old inner tube work as a a patch with the correct adhesive. That would be similar rubber attached to similar rubber.
Also, if you find a local shop that appears interested, make it clear that you are not holding them to a lifetime standard of repairs. Some shops may not want to mess with a tube repair because they think you will come back every year to have them breakdown the tire and address "their" fix.

I don't think a patch cut from an inner tube will work. I've had good results with patch kits that have liquid cement included. Always buff the surface to be patched thoroughly.

The new tube is worth trying to save. The tire shop you took it to probably has people working there are part changers and not interested in really trying to repair something. Maybe there are some there that would try but in today’s “change out” world that’s getting to be fairly scarce to try to repair it.

I talked to a shop that’s been in the tire business for a few generations. One of their locations does retreads. The long term guy there said he believes vulcanizing a patch over the hole would work. He said the whole process takes about an hour. I’ll have to ask him about the “modern rubber”.

By the way, the first five shops I checked with said a tube is junk with a hole in it. Two were regular tire shops, one was a truck tire shop and two repair tractor tires.

Send it to les Schwab. (maybe Oregon kin of yours? Les opened his first tire store in Prineville Oregon) https://www.lesschwab.com/
Anyway, they cold patched mine. Don't recall how old the tube was but held fine.

How about Weldwood contact adhesive on a rubber patch and tube scuffed up with 80 grit sandpaper. I’ll bet that would hold.