Patching car tires is something a lot of car owners and drivers think is expensive. Even if it is, there’s no option but to fix it. After all, you cannot drive with punctured tires.
But the good thing is that the cost of repairing a punctured tire is not as expensive as you would expect. But, hey, you should be ready to spare some hours to get an excellent job done on your tires.
You may be lucky with some tire dealers. They can voluntarily patch your tires for free if you have bought the tires from their shore. This way, they can retain your interest and ensure you keep doing business with them.
Alternatively, you can also go the DIY way. After all, the tire patch doesn’t require any special skill or tool. The good thing about a DIY is that you’ll spend less and still get value if you follow the procedure.
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How Much Does Tire Patch Cost?
Typically, patching a tire may cost something in the region of $10 to $20. it all boils down to whether you’re going for a DIY tire patch or you want to take the car to a tire repair center.
The size of the puncture and points of the puncture will determine how much you will spend. If there are multiple puncture points, you may spend more.
Let me break things down a bit. If you’re rooting for a DIY tire patch, you should prepare between $10-20. This doesn’t include the cost of buying major materials and kits including sealant, pump, vulcanizing cement, and the rest.
A complete patch kit will cost anywhere between $45 and $55. However, taking the car to a tire service shop will cost more. Labor costs can be in the region of $20 or so, depending on where you live.
However, if a tire patch is not possible, you will need to replace it. The easiest way to determine a tire that cannot be patched is if there is a problem with the tire sidewall or shoulder. Your mechanic will be able to tell you what to do in this instance.
Can I Patch My Tire Myself?
Yes, you can patch your tire yourself. But let me reiterate that there is nothing wrong with repairing your punctured tire yourself. But taking the tire to a licensed repair shop won’t be a bad idea, either.
What is most important is that the repairman does a good job of fixing all punctured points on the tire. Otherwise, the tire may damage, and that will be a serious threat to your budget.
12-Step Guide To Patch Your Tire
Take the following steps to patch your tire. But before you start, you’ll need some materials for an effective job:
- Tire patch and tire patch roller
- Vulcanizing cement/liquid
- Jack
- Tire buffer
- Long-nosed pliers
- Patch sealant
- Tire mounting machine
With these supplies on the ground, you can begin to patch your tire with this guide:
- Pullover on a flat surface and jack up the car from the side of the punctured wheel
- Take off the tire from the hub
- Put some air pressure into the tire. Make sure the tire is properly inflated
- Thoroughly inspect the puncture point(s) on the tire with your eyes. You can use a mixture of soap and water to cover the tire
- Look out for bubbles and mark up the puncture(s) with a chalk
- Using an air die grinder, roughen and clean out the hole
- Buff the hole by applying a pre-buff cleaner
- Spray compressed air into the tire
- Apply vulcanizing cement or liquid to the buffed inner surface around the punctured surface
- Remove the plastic seal on the patch seal off the hole with a rubber patch
- Allow the patch and sealant to dry before reinstalling the tire on the car
- Check the tire and drive the car
Should I Plug Or Patch My Tires?
The truth is that there is a difference between patching and plugging a tire. Apart from the time differentials in completing each of the two processes, there are other essential areas where they significantly differ.
What’s a tire plug? Plugging a tire means inserting a strip of rubber-covered leather into a puncture or hole of a tire. A tire plug is often inserted from the outside but typically seals off the hole from the inside of the tire.
As expandable and sticky leather, a plug is wedged into the tire to stop air from leaking out of the tire. A good tire plug should be able to withstand inflation until you get to where the tire will be properly patched.
Usually, a tire plug, unlike a patch, is or should be a stopgap fix or temporary measure. It doesn’t require any special skill or tool to fix.
I have always handled tire plugs on my own without hiring the service of a tire repairman. In terms of cost, the highest I have spent plugging my tire is $6. In essence, a tire plug costs less than a patch, even though both are equally relatively affordable.
Now that you’ve covered a few distances and possibly reached your destination, it’s time to pull over. What’s the next thing to do? You’ve got to patch the tire. But what is a tire patch?
A tire patch, technically called a radial patch, on the other hand, is a rubber substance used to seal off a puncture in a tire. Unlike a plug, patching is a permanent fix to some of the main tire problems. It costs some bucks more than plugging a tire.
| Tire patch | Tire plug |
| Permanent tire measure | The temporary or stopgap measure |
| Cost more | Cost less |
| Takes more time to fix | Takes less time to fix |
| Application in the most tire puncture | Not applicable in many puncture situations |
| Requires some special skills | Doesn’t require any special skill to fix |
| Requires some tools | Doesn’t require extra tools |
| Doesn’t last | Last sometime before tire replacement |
When Should I Replace My Tires
Knowing when to stop patching or plugging the tire is very important. If the tire expiry has lapsed, it needs to be replaced. And if you don’t patch or plug, what else should you do?
Regardless of whether you buy brand new or used tires, you will have to replace the tire in the future. You don’t have to wait until your safety is threatened before you know that the tires need replacement.
When a tire keeps getting punctured, patching several points on it may not be the best solution. It’s better to opt for a new tire and replace the old, severally punctured one.
This way, you can save money and rest assured of your safety. Although this may not sound pleasant to a driver or car owner who’s on budget, you need to be safe to even drive in the first place.
My recommendation is that you should replace the two rear tires if one of them is damaged. The same rule applies if you’re changing the front tires.
What Is The Average Cost Of Sidewall Tire Repair?
Repairing sidewall damage on your tire can cost you anywhere between $20 and $30. This is pretty affordable, isn’t it? But let me put it straight to you: sidewall damage is the last thing you will wish for your car tire.
Don’t forget, the sidewall is an integral part of the structural integrity of your tire. Besides, it reinforces the rigidity and strength of your tire. If the sidewall of your tire tears, the best fix, from a professional point of view, is to replace the tire.
No patching. No plugging. No repair. Just replace. Although it’s cheap to fix, sidewall damage can be tricky, especially if the location of the tear is hidden. At best, what you should do is to repair the tears at the interior and exterior sidewall areas of the tire.
How Long Can You Drive On A Patched Tire?
If properly done, a patched tire can take you up to between eight and ten years. According to experts, you can drive on a patched tire for more or fewer years, depending on certain conditions.
The condition of the road, your driving pattern, and the status of the tires all count. However long-lasting your tires can be, you should not patch them more than once.
It is not good when sealed holes keep piling in your tire’s sidewall. If it happens, you’ll be risking your life and that of other commuters.
Blowouts, tread separation, and ultimately, accidents, can occur. The next time your tire is punctured, do not attempt to patch it.
The best is to take it to a tire service center for inspection. But I am sure you’re not likely to receive the solution you might be looking for. The professionals at the center have the best solution to your tire problems.
If there are blowouts or a flat tire on the tire while driving at a high speed, it’s not advisable to hit your foot on the brake pedal. Step on the pedal and intermittently release it.
In the same way, don’t slam on the gas pedal, either. The blowout will cause the car to remain unstable. So, letting go of the gases in both pedals will help slow down the speed of the car.
How Long Does Patching Take?
On average, carrying out a proper radial tire patch can take up to 30 minutes. It can be more, depending on who is handling the process.
Patching takes about 20 minutes while removing and reinstalling can take up to 10 minutes. The thing is that the activity should not be rushed. Take your time to achieve the best result.
Whether you’re patching yourself or some technician is handling it for you, a neat job should be done on the tire.
Make sure you vulcanize the tire patch, using heat and other agents to cure the rubber substance on the tire. Otherwise, a shoddy job will condemn the tire and a replacement may not be what your budget can take at the moment.
Final Words
A puncture can be very tricky to fix sometimes, especially if the points are too big or aren’t clear. If you mean cost in terms of time, then, I think you should be prepared to spare a few minutes.
A tire patch is a substance used to seal to permanently seal off the puncture in your car tire.
Patching tire is one of the cheapest and most affordable routine maintenance services on a car. But while patching your tires won’t cause you to break the bank, the time it’ll take may cost.
But even if it’ll take your whole day, it’s worth it. There is no alternative to restoring your tires to the right conditions. I don’t even suppose there is any part of the car that is not worth the money and time invested in it.
My name is James. Call me your ‘Born Auto Neighbor.’ I am an auto savvy with a burning enthusiasm to help vehicle owners, auto technicians, DIYer auto caregivers, and drivers like you have a seamless time with your vehicles. Do you own or work on a Dodge Convertible, a Chevy Crossover, a Ford SUV, a Toyota Hatchback, a Honda Coupe, a Datsun MPV, or a Mercedes Sedan? I have enough automotive content to help your auto service and repair on the go.
I have been around for more than a decade, examining and analyzing car issues while proffering practical fixes that will help you spend less time and money. I take auto care, service, and maintenance very seriously and my tested experience in the industry means that you can always get the best auto tips and tricks.
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