Last Updated on December 15, 2021 by
Tire patches can be a big revenue generator in auto repair shops. They require little effort and the cost of the patch is cheap compared to many other auto components.
What’s the right cost to get the patch for your tire? It all depends on. If you repair the tire on your own, be prepared to pay $6.00. If you bring it to a repair shop, you’ll be an amount ranging from $10-$40 according to the circumstance.
The idea of patching tires on your own is the first thought of everyone since the price is low. However, many are discouraged by the fact that they cannot, due to various reasons. Deciding whether to tackle it yourself or take it to a repair shop is what we’ll look at in this article, along with the reason why tire patches can be expensive. We’ll discuss the various reasons you should and don’t. We’ll also discuss the different kinds of patches as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.
I worked in a shop located that was located on the main highway. Every day, in rush hour it was a minimum of three customers visited the shop to request the patch for their tires. Through the years I’ve realized that the ease of the tire patch could be misleading. All tires are not created identical and the same is true for patches.
Tire Patching Costs
When a mechanic patches your tire, the bulk of the cost is derived from the mechanic’s time. The retail price for patching your tire is less than $2.00. The bead sealer glob used to seal the patch is just $0.10.
However, it takes an average mechanic 15 minutes to fix an air-tight tire. Most shops charge about $120 per hour for mechanics which means you’ll pay $30 to $40 for time and parts. If you’d like to have the tire balanced as is recommended, you can add an additional $13.00.
Although a tire patch is one of the easiest tasks, it requires the time of mechanics who are working on more lucrative, demanding tasks. This is why the hourly rate is being utilized to fill the position.
Tire Repair Rules
Some tires are not repaired. There are a few tests that mechanics or you could conduct. Conducting these tests will provide you with a clear idea about the possibility that your tire is repairable.
If your tire is flat the first thing you need to do is to avoid driving on it. If you drive on a flat tire even for a brief period of time, may cause irreparable damage to the tire. If a tire operates with no air in it, the car’s weight will crush the tire’s internals and turn it into dust.
The next step is to determine the cause of the flat. Nails placed directly between the two treads are frequent incidents. They can be easily identified from the distance. If you aren’t able to be able to see it, dragging your hands through the tread will reveal the position on the nail.
Edge Test
Tire punctures that happen between 2 and 2 inches on the wall are considered to be non-repairable. This means neither you nor the mechanic, can repair the damage.
It’s illegal for auto shops to fix tires with punctures near the sidewall. The problem is that patches for tires that are placed close to the sidewalls often cause tire blowouts because of the shifting of the tread relationship.
An effective test to determine how far between the wall and the puncture is to put your thumb in the space. When the hole is thumb’s length (or greater) further away than the wall’s edge then you’re good to go.
If not, it’s time to get an upgrade to your tire.
Length Test
The length of puncture is the second thing to consider. The majority of nail punctures are as large as that nail. If this is the case, and the size of the puncture it’s okay to fill it yourself. However, if the puncture is two inches or more and you are unable to patch it.
You can’t patch it, and shops cannot also. Large punctures aren’t repaired, as patches aren’t intended to keep the air in this large of an area.
The tire’s inner liner does not completely seal even with the biggest patches that are available. If your puncture appears to be more like a gash on the tread, then it’s time to get the replacement of your tire.
Patching A Tire
To patch a tire properly, you to follow the steps below.
- Take the tire off the vehicle.
- Unmount the tire off the rim.
- Clean the tire liner on the inside by using a material that resembles sandpaper.
- Clean the puncture by using a drill, or any other long-handled object.
- The patch’s edge should be placed through the puncture, and then pull it out until the bottom on the patch has become level across the tire.
- Apply some bead sealer at an area at the bottom of your patch.
- Place the tire back on the rim and then rebalance it.
- Put the tire back on the vehicle.
As you can see, the complete procedure for patching the tire is very involved. This is why you could find prices as high as $45.00 for a basic patch.
If the tire needs to be balanced, it will cost approximately $13.00 and if it requires new valve stems as well as a sensor for TPMS you can also incur the cost of additional expenses.
The patch is so efficient that it will save you from the need to buy an entirely new tire. You’ll be able to ride the entire distance of your tire as if no puncture had ever occurred. A tire patch is a lifesaver caught in a jam.
The main issue can be that these tire-making machines don’t exist commonly used in every driver’s home. This method isn’t feasible, However, the approach that we’ll discuss in the next section is feasible almost everywhere.
Tire Plugging
The process of plugging your tire is a straightforward solution that can be applied to a variety of punctures on tires. Most punctures on tires are fixable by doing the plug yourself.
When plugging your tire simply pull the plugging strip using the T-Handle as deep as it can be able. And then, with all your strength, remove the t-handle. This will seal the tire The only thing left is to take the extra strip of plugging away.
The practice of plugging tires is viewed as a negative by Tire Shops because they consider it insufficiently sealing the tire’s surface. However, I’ve plugged more than 500 tires and never encountered any issue. Many independent shops are fond of plugging their tires as it helps keep costs lower for them and the customers.
Plugging your tires on your own, right on your driveway. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, contact an independent store and inquire whether they can are able to plug the tire or repair it. Most likely, they’ll provide both, but they’ll charge a half-price for a plug, as compared to the cost for a complete patch.
When To Do It At Home
Plugging tires, although it is typically an easy job, can be a difficult problem. If, for instance, it is the case that you have plugged a tire but you are able to hear a squealing sound It can be difficult to trace to find the source for the issue.
or if you wash the entire tire with soap to pinpoint the leak but you are unable to locate it. You might start to question your sanity. Don’t! These issues can consume hours even for the most skilled techs.
There’s a device used in some tire shops that place the tire in water by using a crane-like device that is viewed from above. However, this device isn’t always working and mechanics are left in a state of confusion. If you begin to experience any difficulties in discovering the leak or plugging a leak you should take it to the repair shop.
If the tire is flat when you get to your vehicle then you’ll be able to put on the spare tire and fix the problem at home using an e-plugging kit. If it’s plugged and it’s still leaky, bring it to the repair shop to have them fix it.
If you’re unsure about the length test results or the edge test It’s recommended you bring it to the workshop. Some mechanics say, “use double the number of plugs” in order to repair massive gashes. This is not true. If the plug you have chosen doesn’t repair it, bring it to a repair shop and find out what you can recover.
In the majority of the cases, when nails have punctured your tread, between the tread It is completely acceptable to buy an appropriate plug kit and then repair the damage yourself. It’ll cost you only a few bucks and you’ll have the chance to walk under your vehicle to conduct a quick assessment. Take off the tire, and look at your brake pads.
