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Years ago, as a young hvac installer with with a growing family, I had plenty of duct tape on hand, but little cash. I once plugged a puncture by rolling a small strip of duct tape with it's adhesive side out, and jammed it into the hole with a small screwdriver. I drove on that duct tape tire plug over four months until I could afford the luxury of a decent used tire. It was still holding air when replaced.
Using the duct tape was smart when you had no plugs. It’s going to slow the leak down even if it doesn’t totally seal. I applaud you doing that. Being desperate is the mother of invention😂
I've had bad luck with the mushroom style myself, but have a couple year old plugs done the old way that still seal perfectly. I'd personally stick with the old style.
Having spent my money on a neat little mushroom plug kit, I REALLY wanted to like it. However, after several years & several flats (tubeless motorcycle tires), the old sticky strips just work MUCH better (even though it doesn’t appear to be as elegant).
I used the string and mushroom tips back in the early 70s when my job was strictly fixing flats. I used the hot patch glue on the tip of the mushroom gun so the rubber melted into the tire after two years never had a complaint.FWIW
Just got a nail in my tire today. Watched this video and read the comments. Decided to go with the sticky strip kit. It worked like a charm! Sometimes the old way is the best.
I learned to plug a tire with the sticky strip when I was a teenager and worked at a gas station 50 years ago, I still use the sticky strip today, never has failed.
Sticky plugs hands down. Plugged over 50+, never a leak. When I was in construction with my dually, I'd plug flats all the time, when I went to buy new tires, I counted 36 plugs in all six tires, never did one leak.
Ditto here ... I do love going in for new tires and having the tire shop sales guy approach me saying crap like: "I have to tell you, we found dangerous plugs in your tires... blah blah.. always buy a new tire or pay us to plug them, buy a warranty ..blah blah...". I tell them, I PLUGGED that tire, my plugs work fine, don't upsell me.
Had a sidewall puncture from rail road line (spike) in Consul, Saskatchewan. A trucking company used 3 plug strips to hopefully get us 90 miles down the road. No tire shops had our size tire, so we drove very cautiously and nervously another 1600 miles into Phoenix. Remarkable that the sidewall held up and the plug strips worked so well. Have a few packs of the strips on hand now. Cheers.
I did the same thing on my Ford Ranger when I was a teenager. Crammed 3 plugs in the sidewall lol. It worked until I could afford a tire. Not the safest thing but sometimes you got to do what you got to do.
I have been doing many multi-thousand Km motorcycle adventure trips to remote locations like Alaska, Yukon, Labrador, etc... Tire puncture is the number one mechanical issue you are likely to encounter in rocky terrain! I also have used the sticky rope system for 35 years, but being a tool junky, we have tried to replace it many time with the "new" plug systems. We found that they are cumbersome to use, and their required tools take a lot more space and weight a lot more. We always return to the ropes, since it is dead reliable, simple and cheap. We even fix a 2" side wall rip once with many ropes. It was a temporary fix, but it got us out of the wood... Thanks for the GREAT video!
Never seen a mushroom plug like this but looks much cleaner. I’ve had 100% with sticky strips for 25 years. The first kit I bought in the 90’s didn’t even have cement - you were to just push the strip in bare (it was still sticky) and pull the tool out to trim the excess, still held fine. The cement makes them much easier to install as it acts as an initial lubricant. I think a cement would make a lot of sense with the mushroom but would gunk up the insertion tool pretty bad.
I must have done about 10-12 repairs with the sticky rope over the last few years on my various cars. I never had one fail, they always work for the life of the tire. They are very affordable and work great. I think I will stick with the rope, pardon the pun.
I used these sticky ropes for many years in Southern Africa.I had loads of punctures. Now living in the UK , the other day I had a puncture and I plugged it myself. Then I went to a tyre place and asked them to change it to a mushroom type. They refused to help because apparently these sticky ropes are illegal in the UK. I told them that I could pull the rope out and insert the screw that had caused the puncture but they refused to have anything to do with me. I think these sticky ropes are so good and so effective that the tyre repair people have somehow managed to make it law that they can’t be used. These sticky ropes are very safe and have even plugged large holes on the side wall. You can keep shaving them in and have 5 of them plugging a garage hole.I would later scrap the tyre but these sticky ropes are just fantastic.
Same here big tire shops for liability will not use sticky plugs, in fact most will not fix the tire but rather you buy a new one or a set of tires. A few shops will do the dismount ,grind and patch cement. It's all about being afraid of being sued if the tire blow out. Sticky-plugs or known as dynplugs are temp fixes to get you tire back in-service and then you suppose to take it to a professional tire shop for final analysis and fix, but where I'm at in the USA 99% of the people do not do that.
I think they exaggerated to make it harder for you to argue. But repair shops have definitely excommunicated the sticky ropes. My opinion is that it's because they can make more money on the preferred internal patch method. If they are willing to do the mushroom type but not the sticky rope then I guess I'm at a bit of a loss? Except that guess they still make a larger profit from it than sticky rope?
@@cloveroak5492 The mushroom plug type are also illegal. Only legal is internal patch applied from the inside. Tire Repair Strips work just fine. But no tire shop will use them. Not UK or USA.
Used the plug type in 1967 when I started as an apprentice mechanic and NEVER had an issue with any punctures and saved people a small fortune on inner tubes or new tyres so if it was good over 50 years ago then good enough today 👍
I've always used the strips on my cars with great permanent results and I decided to keep a repair kit and small 12 volt compressor in my Honda helix motor scooter trunk for an emergency encounter since it has tubeless tires but I also have a mushroom repair kit but have never used it. After seeing everyone's comments and experiences of using both types I took notice to the stem surface of each and would conclude that the inserted stem of the strip plug appears to have a much rougher type surface area that would most likely grab into the tire tread and stay secure for the life of the repair better than the mushroom plug's smoother stem design that others repeatedly reported had eventually pushed back inside the tire causing it to fail, while no one had reported this happening with a strip plug repair.
I always carry rope seals and a mobile air compressor in all of my vehicles. Trained my wife and sons how to find and repair punctures. I got a timberlock screw in one of my new Yokohama Geolandar tires on my truck, rope seal has been in there for 3 years and no leaks
When the tire stores refused to patch - even when the tire was under 6 years old - I have used the sticky strip method with rubber cement. One tire shop told me I had two punctures so close together that they were not allowed to fix it, and wouldn't say whether that was a company policy or a government "edict". I replied that I understood, that their business was "to sell tires", and the guy denied that, so I asked why does your sign state "XYZ Tires", you certainly do not sell washing machines !!! Anyway, I took the loose tire home filled it with air found the hole - a SINGLE hole, and used sticky strip method to patch the single hole, and it's been peachy for several years now.....
Tire shops always find some excuse as to why they "can't repair." Just stick to sticky rope and DIY. even sidewall. Never fails. Tire shops and government edicts are done for profit only.
they don't give afuck about selling tires theyre probably payed hourly anyway... just dont want the liability of your 5 y/o cracking and dangerously patched tires
I’ve used the sticky rope at least a hundred times and it only failed once. I once fixed a tire with a mop string and some spray paint and it worked great. I used it like the sticky rope, I pushed it in with a screwdriver. A emergency repair in the middle of nowhere.
The mushroom plug does look pretty neat. The strip plug does turn into a ball on the inside after some mileage, they work very well, have done 100s, they normally last the life of the tire.
I have used the sticky strip method for over thirty years. I have done it roadside most of the time in around 15 minutes. I have also used it many time on my mower tires. It has always worked great and I have never had one fail.
I worked for sears automotive for a year and goodyearctires for almost 25 years and the sticky plugs do not work I don't know how many times I had to rerepair a tire with the sticky shoe lace in it and I never saw the mushroom repair In a tire.
@@andysierra6934 I don't work in a tire shop but I've probably used a couple of dozen over the last 25 years on my and my family's personal vehicles and they always seem to work well. I can only recall one that leaked and it was from a linear puncture from a flat piece of metal, not a nail or screw.
Used a mushroom plug a few years ago on a motorcycle trip to Scotland and I had to keep topping up the air every day till I got home. Decided to try the sticky worms so I pushed the mushroom plug into the tyre to make way for the sticky worm. I was shocked at how easy it was to push it through. Did the sticky worm thing and it held tight until the tyre needed replacing. At the tyre shop, it was interesting to see the inside where the repair had been made and the sticky worm had formed a nice head inside the tyre and had bonded itself to the tyre. Since then, I have done a few car tyres and they have always been successful and easier to do, so sticky worms do it for me and cheaper too.
I have used the sticky rope for 30 years and it has always been reliable. I do prefer the orange color ones they tend to be more sticky. I have even plugged sidewalls and made double plugs on big holes(not recommended but it can work) and had them hold. On a simple small hold they will easily last the service life of the tire. I honestly have no experience with the mushroom plug because I feel no need to try when the rope plug works great.
Me too. I have done sketchy side of the road repairs with the rope kit that lasted the life of the tire. Even plugged into the sidewall once and it held .
Yea those orange colored ones are the better ones, a company called safety seal are the best I've ever used. Their rep rolled up to our shop back in '95 on 4 tires absolutely covered in their plugs, sidewalls & all. He proceeds to take an ice pick to his tires, in the tread and sides and plugs them on the spot. We were sold and never used any other brand from then on.
@@jdruin1 I agree. I never used the glue and I don't cut the rope sticking out. The road will sort that out. The only problem is it can be hard to get the needle through the tire. I had to use my cordless drill a few times.
Same(except never orange ones yet)here. I have driven countless miles on plugs through tread. As for folks above plugging sidewalls,I never would unless I was in a remote place and it would be very temporary for a slow drive to a new tire. If my spare was along and good I'd probably put that on instead.
Thank you for the information about fixing sidewalls. I had a hole the size of a sewing needle in a sidewall on an otherwise perfectly decent tire, and everyone was saying it's impossible to fix? Seemed a bit bonkers to me, but it was my wife's car so I bought a new one to be safe. Glad to know my instincts were correct, and it can be fixed. Wonder why people get their panties in a wad about it.
i have just bought a tyre repair kit off amazon for £26 so that my son can repair the countless nails and screws we get flats with. each time costing £20. believe this or not between the families 4 cars we had had 14 flats in 2 years cosing us £280 plus one tyre that was destroyed as it was a side wall flat. fingers crossed after wathing this video i will start to save money...thanks for the demonstration
Was a tire guy in a mom and pop shop in my younger days.. we did every kind of tire you can think of. What i learned and still believe to be true is plugs are temporary. Ive fixed 100s because they leak , by patching over them from inside. The reaming tool can break the steel and polyester cords leading to tire separation.. seen it many times.. I recommend the patch..
I've used the mushroom plug for years and never had a problem, and the air stayed for days. They are the best plugs I have used, and I have had to plug several motorcycle tires over the years.
I've been using the sticky type strips for 30 years without fail. Make sure to use rubber cement and also make sure to cut majority of excess on the exterior of course. Additionally, a little trick I've learned...I also will light a match or use a lighter, applying the fire to the strip after cutting it. Let it burn for just 30 seconds only then blow it out. I've found this method really bonds the gooey strip to the rubber tire better, almost like vulcanizing it. I've never had a failure.
I just use my handy heat gun to "melt" and smooth down the sticky strip after trimming it down. I use a blunt tool (of appropriate size) to kind of pack it down a little more as it starts to cool.
I have used the sticky strips on cars, as well as cruiser & speed bikes, and it's always been a permanent fix that has lasted the life of the tire even without the glue, i currently have one on the rear tire of my motorcycle 😂
I have never used glue, never was taught tonuse glue, somebody help me out, i just think the rubber cement is a bad idea and would make the plug itself less sticky and more useless
Been using the sticky since the 1980’s and has been incredible for on road off road, atv, street bikes on and on. I won’t lie this these mushroom plugs look pretty cool.
I have used all the plug kits and inside patches ( working in repair shops) never had a problem with any of them. The inside patch is the best if you can break the tire down.
Hey WOW man, that's totally awesome, you might offend an Italian if you're riding beside them, but seriously folks, my problem with the inside patch plug is that on vehicles that drive in the landfill and jobsite get holes often and sometimes close to each other and staples, I have used the inside ones on the side and corners intill we can get the tire, and its sometimes hard to get them to come back in, so use discretion.
As a former mountain bike rider, and the experience of finding a once used glue tube that is always dry the second time I need it, I went for the mushroom plug for my motorcycles. Worked every time and rode those tires to replacement. Mushroom plugs have my vote. But, hmmm, those sidewall tears, wellllll? Luck has kept me safe there.
I got a flat on my front tire of my motorcycle out in a rural area many years ago. This was before cell phones. Had to walk a few miles to a house to ask them if I could use their phone. The guy told me I didn't have to. He went to his garage and picked up a hand tire pump and a few sheet metal screws. He rode me back to my bike. Found the hole. Screwed in a screw and pumped up the tire. IT WORKED! Loved the clicking sound as I rode home. It held air til I got home and stayed inflated for some time til I was able to get another tire. He wouldn't take any money for helping me. I always kept a few screws and a small bicycle pump in my bag on my bike after that.
I drilled out a small puncture in a lawnmower tire and put a small screw in the hole about 10 years ago. I covered the threads of the screw with roof pitch I had on hand. I did it as a temporary fix, but since it held air, I forgot about it. It finally started leaking last year and I plugged it with a rope strip type.
@@GLHS592You can actually buy vacuum tyre repair screws now which do a similar job. Remove the nail or screw and then screw the vacuum tyre repair screw into the hole. Very quick temporary repair.
Absolutely....... Despatch rider for thirty one years covering over 100,000 miles a year and always carried a foot pump as well as a handful of small stubby drywall screws. Great for a quick fix on the go and had several which lasted for weeks.
Been using a strip plug kit that I purchased over 30-years ago. Just used it to repair a tire on my pickup last month. Has worked great for me on every vehicle I have owned for the past 30-years.
Been using the stirps for as long as I can remember, never heard nor seen the mushroom, so my conclusion is I will continue to keep using the strips. They just work, and I have never used the glue, no need........
I used to repair tires as a kid and we had bonnet plugs three different sizes the tool was simple put on correct tip and the bonnet went in the top then a plastic point on the end. Insert and squeeze handle in it went. You could also tell how often tire has been plugged by all the plastic points inside. They really only worked with bias ply. Belted tires the wire gets in the way and stops through sealing.
me too, just did a video on a repair of my kubota tire, used my 30 yr. old kit, with the string plugs, lube, no glue.....been doing it for many years@@fredschultz8267
ha, just posted a video about cleaning up my garden area, got a flat on my Kubota, whipped out my "Safety Seal" plug kit, 3 mins. on my way. I have the original kit i purchased 30 years ago, and the orange string plugs are original......no problem
Had a hole in my tyre new years eve about the size of say a match stick. Was letting air out fast when i tried to inflate so i screwed a normal screw into the tyre as i was getting four new ones in 3-4 days. The screw worked great and hardly lost any air pressure over the next four days so now bought those rubberised screws for any future punctures.
I have always used the Strip Plug. If things are really ugly, you can always install more than one in the same hole. This may not be long lasting however it's enough to get you home. Cheaper than a tow truck.
I used the mushroom head 60 years ago when it was powered by air only at a Sears Auto repair and tire store. It was great and never failed. I recently found one power by a spring and bought the kit for home and on the road use. I’ve used the rope over the years and always kept a kit in my trailer and pickup. It also has never failed.
On Saturday I picked up my brand new Ute from the dealership- drove it just 2km and had a puncture! Oh well at least Ive fond the jack and wheelbrace. I decided to do the right thing and go straight to a tyre shop. $67.50 for a puncture repair!!!!! " but thats with fitting and balancing" he called after me as I was walking back to my truck- I waited till I got home and slipped a dog turd into it- job done!
Never tried the mushroom plug, but the sticky rope has worked well for me, several repairs while on the road, tire still on the vehicle, inflated with a portable compressor. Worked every time to get me going again.
I have only used the mushroom plug type tyre repair, but i can say it has been as equally as effective on both my car & motorcycle (tubeless in both cases) & without applying any glue to it, fantastic bit of kit ! 👍
The sticky rope is long term more reloable, it becomes part of the rubber of the time. The solvent cement works better if you also apply it to the rasp as you prepare the hole. The rubber shrooms eventually leak and/or go into the tire.
Used to work at a gas station in high school, if we were repairing tires was always a patch, plugs didn't seem to hold up. Could use on the side of the road to get you to a tire shop or gas station, but I would not trust them for long. Just my personal experience
@@PD-yd3fr The ones with the rubber sement should hold up for the life of the tire if applied correctly. Ive had tire shop plug tires and i have plugged them myself too and all lasted the life of the tire.
I've been using the sticky plugs for just over 50 years both professionally and my family's personal vehicles since I retired and have never had a one come back leaking.
Im choosing the “Sticky tire plug” definitely! The rubber cement helps fill any tiny microscopic gaps, as well as glues the strip to the rubber of the tire.
But it actually doesn’t get pushed into the tire…. I use them on my semi and have some in my drives with 80K miles on them…. If you knew literally ANYTHING about tires, you’d know the rubber cement has zero to do with keeping the plug in the tire.
Somewhere I read that the mushrooms weren't recommended for hyway use, I think it was Myers or Gemplers after I had a failure with one I didn't try it again, but I think some of these things require more preparation, I haven't had much luck with the "mono fill" (looks like blue shoe lace with grey gum under wrapper), but I'm sure they work if follow procedures, my favorite is the brown radial string plug, my kit came with a cup of something that seemed to be petroleum jelly, when it ran out I refilled it with Freylube, I also use a rotary rasp on a drill if the plug won't go in but have considered trying a ratchet strap to help it.
I carry mushroom plugs on my motorcycle with compressed air cartridges. Figured it’s easier to carry with less potential to make a mess in the bag. I considered them as a way to get out of a jam. Haven’t had to use them yet. Hopefully won’t have to. Figured I’d cross that bridge if it ever come up.
The sticky rope reseals itself, you can stack them up for bigger punctures and they have the highest newton force measured in preventing dislodging from their position after installation even without the rubber cement.
I've never used the mushroom type but have used the regular strip type plugs and never had a problem with them. They're cheap easy to use and don't take up much space to store.
I'm a sticky rope(dog turd) bloke myself. I had heard about the mushroom kits and people saying they were better but I havn't seen them before. After watching this, I can confirm that I'll be sticking to the dog turds. The installation of the turds maintains a very useable tyre pressure so the repair can be made if you have no access to air. The mushroom kit looks to allow air to escape quite quickly whilst changing from the spike to the inserter though that may be able to be done better. It also looks to be a little more fiddly during the process. That, and you can stack the turds for larger leaks. I also only use the rubber cement until I run out of whatever came with the kit, then I just dont use any. they will seal with or without it and still outlast the tyres.
NEITHER!! .. Original super sticky strips without adhesive tube, are the bomb that always works. I've had a kit for 20+ years, 1 strip left.. used one 6 months ago, they still work great, never had one fail.
I've never tried the mushroom plug but have used the strips quite a few times and have never had one fail on me. I've got friends that offroad that are expert in using several at a time for trail-fixes to get them off the trails.
43 years ago I was pulling a trailer up in Canada near the Alaska border...I had stopped for something when I heard the hiss of air leaking from a 36" rear tire on my truck, I had no spare...I was a carpenter in those days and rummaging thru my tool box I found some 16d vinyl coated "sinker" nails and the puncture was small enough that I just licked a nail and pushed it into the hole stopping the leak. The air in the tire lasted me several days to do some fishing and get to the nearest civilization which was about 50 miles away. I always carry a nail or two since then....as well as the sticky rope kit.
I've only every used the sticky strips but have done so many, many times both with and without the cement and not a single one has ever failed for the remaining life of the tire, so when someone tells me I NEED to take it to a shop to have it done" properly" I just smile and say "right".
My sticky plug keeps coming out. Is it perhaps cos i am using a cheap plug? Should i be using an expensive plug? I think the cheap one might have cheap glue that makes it sticky and the fibres break apart too easily Do you think thats my problem?
@dmangh9 When you reamed the hole, did it seem real loose? If the puncture is too large a plug won't stay. You need to either patch it from the inside, or buy another tire.
I’m a Senior Pro-Tec and been using mushroom tire kit sin Snap-On tool introduced it in 1990. Perfect for cars, motorcycles, ATV, etc. last past the life of any tire I’ve repaired. Even the ones that are burned out. From drag racing
I'm getting older and weaker and have trouble pushing in the worms while the car and I are on the ground, The mushroom look like I could handle that while keeping the tire on the car. Do you have an opinion?
I use the sticky ropes and have used up to 4 sticky ropes in a single sidewall puncture in an offroad UTV tire. It held air for over 1 week until the tire was replaced! Keep an extra 2 or 3 tubes of the rubber cement unopened as they tend to dry up after they get opened.
I keep a sticky strip kit in each of my cars and have used them about 20 times with no failures. I've never used rubber cement with them. The one failure I had with them was one I didn' t install. When I bought a used truck one tire was slowly losing air. I found a sticky strip plug that was leaking. I pulled it out with needlenose pliers and installed a new one. It outlasted the tire. A tire shop mechanic told me that driving a few miles at highway speed would make a better seal because of the heat.
Back in the early 1970’s I worked in a local gas station and we used both and never had any issues. The mushroom plugs needed a gun to insert them. Looked kind of like a pop rivet gun. The rope ones just need the simple T handle so anyone could use them. I still use the rope ones personally and never had any issues with repaired tires.
I’ve used the sticky strips on atv tires and they work pretty well. On a car or truck tire, I’d just take it to a tire shop and let them put an actual patch on it for a nearly permanent fix. The last set of tires on my car had a patch put on it when the tires were very new and it lasted until they were worn out. The tread was so worn out that the patch wouldn’t stick anymore. Tires had 55 k miles on them, about 45 k was with the patch on it. Instead of trying to fix the tire again, I just bought new tires.
I've used both, without trouble on the repairs. Both can be done on a mounted tire, even on the vehicle. The main difference for me is the glue (rubber cement). That makes the strip kits single-use, as the glue always seems to be dried out if I try to save it for later. The mushroom style uses a soft silicone rubber plug like a fishing lure. They hold and seal as well (or perhaps better?) than the strips, and ++ you don't need glue++. If you off-road much (or have OLD trailer tires) and have ever had a valve break off, that there are valve replacement tools that can be done without dismounting the tire as well! These valve-replacement "cones" work! Great for old trailer tires/valves as well.
I have used both and both work well. I have never had a problem with the mushroom heads. They do not migrate into the tire because the internal air pressure pushes against it to make it stay in place. I have had the cloth ones leak because the cement dries out and cracks allowing passage of air, especially in the cold freezing weather. Both have their respective pro's and cons. It's just a preference of choice and convenience to apply.
I'd never seen a mushroom plug before or knew what it was. I didn't realize until just watching this video that's what the tire shop repaired my tire with recently. Hoping it holds over the winter.
Some shops will pull the tire off and patch it the correct way with a little roughing up the surface to make the rubber have better adhesion and applying the patch.
A proper tyre shop, should remove the tyre from the rim and inspect then do a proper repair with a larger glued in version of that mushroom plug. Both of these DIY repairs are supposed to be only temporary repairs anyway.
I've used the sticky rope, never used cement with it. Always worked. I usually take the tire in for an inside patch, but have run tires with just the sticky plug for years.
I've used the strips consistently for years. While in general they seem to hold up very well, yet every now and then one would develop a slow leak, and I'd have to redo it. In theory the mushrooms should work better since the underside of the head fits snug and flush against the tire surface, and work in conjunction with the tire pressure to help press it against the tire surface. I think if the stalk of the mushroom plugs were textured and they had a thin coat of vulcanizing material on the underside of the head they would stay in better. When done correctly, the strips form a sort of mushroom or ball on the inside of the tire that mimics the mushrooms head.
Nice comparison. I've used the sticky strips for over 50 years and never had one fail. I drove on them for years. Never tried the mushrooms so don't know about them. They look better but I'll use what I know works.
I've used the "sticky strip" seals a bunch of times. Keep a set in the truck with a 12 Volt Air Compressor. That mushroom plug looks really interesting. A more complicated solution to a simple problem.
I have the mushroom kit and a small 12v compressor in the trunk, they work great. When I was young and broke. I got a flat from a screw deep in the tread groove. I got a slightly larger flathead screw, added some clear silicon to the threads and tightened it down. Drove it for 2 years until the tire worn out and wouldnt pass inspection.
Ha, someone was saying in a review about tires 'nails' that '"wouldn't just putting sealant on a screw accompish the same thing?" Well now we know, yes it does.
Trip to spain ,my bike picked up two plasterboard screws in one go,all over road. Used the string type,one was 1 inch near edge of tyre,held up for 600 miles doing some higher speeds and started leaking, repluged and started leaking a tiny bit immediately, so thought ill check in a hour at first fuel stop.still leaking ,moved on another 120 miles and it sealed itself. I wouldn't hesitate to use again or put multiple strings in .Once they are in,not coming out and ive tried hard with pliers to pull out,in end pushed in with the reemer and put another string in.The one in the middle didn't leak at all. 2500 miles on the plugs are still in tyre and the one loses only 2 lb per week.
I used the mushroom plug back in the 60s and never had a problem with them. I still have the gun that was used to insert them. It works on the same principle as a caulking gun. but we had two different sizes of plugs. Never had a problem with them.
The sticky rope style just work and I trust them after years of using them. As another commenter mentioned, also prefer the orange or brown ones over the black, but both work. Only time I've an issue with a pack of the black ones, was from a pack my dad bought which it sat around for years in the toolbox (I forget how many were in the pack, but lets just say a pack of 5, three plugs left, the remaining sat for some years, keep in mind I was the one who originally used this pack of 5, and I know they were good when new). When I needed to plug a tire on a car I had bought, none of those last 3 plugs would seal, the air seemed to slip through the rope fibers, so I had to go buy a new pack and the new plug sealed the first time. That said, they do otherwise last the life of the tire from my experience. While the mushroom style looks cleaner inside the tire, I know the rope plugs work perfectly when new every time, are cheap, quick to install, and can get them nearly anywhere, so I plan to stick with those. Once you drive with a rope plug, the outside wears flat pretty fast, can hardly tell one is installed, basically becomes one with the tire, so the cleaner look of the mushroom makes zero difference to me. Just my random thoughts as I seen this video in my recommended.
I used to work at a gas station and the tar string repairs were simple and super fast!!! but if the hole was too big for 2 strings, we had to remove the tire from the rim and patch it from the inside...being careful NOT TO grind too much internal rubber or we would expose the tread inside....
Hi I tried the rope type with a motorcycle rear tyre totally deflated, and found when trying to install the rope that the point of the tool bottomed out on the well of the wheel rim, before the rope would go through the tyre to the required amount, ie two tails sticking out by 1/2”. Maybe the mushroomed headed plug can be installed easier when a tyre is completely deflated. Can you please do this comparison test with a motorcycle tyre still on the wheel and totally deflated? Thanks
If you get a strip kit spend the money on a good quality one, a lot of them now come with cheap hand tools that easily bend and break. The mushroom tool kits are typically decent quality. They both do a good job fixing the leak if done properly.
With strips, I was always taught to twist the tool like a screw driver, to ensure the plug will bind up on itself inside the tire, making it less prone to fail.. weather or not it really works I continue to do so.
My wife had a flat last week on the very first day of ownership of her new vehicle. I couldn’t just plug it on the brand new tire so I paid the tire shop $20 to remove and repair it. There was a 3-4” piece of metal rod the size of a welding rod bent into an L shape inside the tire. I have successfully used plugs over the years. The prior owner of my ATV put at least 1/2 dozen plugs in the tires. Those tires are 17 years old and still holding air!
I have mushroom plug ("gun" type) kits that come with rubber cement. You liberally put it on the reamer and it builds up around the hole on the inside. Then when you pull the plug back it gets glued in place. The plugs also have a thicker stem that gets compressed in the hole. I have done about 8 tires this way and none have ever leaked. Previously I tried the strips and found they often leak. Can be seen when you do the soapy water test.
I’ve been using the sticky strip plugs for about the last 115 years and never had any problems with them. Hopefully I’ll get to use them another 75 to 100 years.😎✨
Never had much luck with the strips and glue. But the red strips that are so sticky they're hard to get out of the package and need no glue have worked 100% of the time. Even on the edge of the tread next to the side wall. Let's see a patch do that. All the construction around here and I've got to plug tires all the time (twice this year so far). Also, a drill with a bit the size of the reamer works a lot better than the reamer.
I've only used one sticky plug once in my life and that tire has never needed air added to it. I used a copious amount of rubber cement and a heat gun. I'm sold. I will always carry a sticky plug kit in my vehicles.
I still have my mushroom kit decades after I stopped riding motorcycles. I've also used the mushroom kit on cars, trucks, and mobile home tires. Zero failures. Super well made kit.
the thing about them mushroom ones is that almost all auto parts retailers do NOT carry it.....either its the patch kit or string kit or that BS can of sealant
Yup team mushroom kit, Im 45 now but as a kid my dad had the gun type. And now I carry a mushroom gun kit in my service truck. Discount Tire will not repair a hole in a tire that has been plugged by a sticky strip.
Sticky strip for the win. I have been using them for decades on my personal tires. I have never had one leak or fail on me. I have one in one of my tires now that has been there for over 45k miles.
I purchased a mushroom kit recently because every sticky strip I applied kept having minor leaks, the mushroom kit didn't appear to have any slow leaks. For summer I'm sure it's fine to use a strip but it's getting pretty cold in my state and the air just finds any way out but the mushroom plug with a bit of vulcanizing rubber works great for me.
I've never had a sticky strip leak in cold weather. I suspect you're not having air leak out, but you're actually seeing the normal pressure drop that happens when air gets cold. When it warms up, the pressure will return to normal. I always add a little air in the fall, and have to let some air out in the spring.
You should always use the glue sealant combined with the sticky strips. Always. Add the glue while using the raming scraping tool. That way you’ll leave sealant inside and air will force it out and seal better the opening.
I have used Holts tyre weld for my motorbike tyre and car tyre side walls. Both mechanics said it is not repairable due to nail not in the centre of the tyre. I had the tyres on it's side to let the weld set. Both tyres lasted until it was worn out.
I've used the strips for years and have plugged many tires. Never had any problems whatsoever. I've even used the strips without the rubber cement and still no problems. You can get inexpensive refill strips pretty much anywhere from auto stores, convenience stores, grocery stores etc. You can even by complete stip repair kit with everything you need for like $6.00 vs the mushroom that goes for around $40.00. And lastly. Look how quick and easy it was to use the strip vs the mushroom. For road trips I toss a strip repair kit in my trunk along with a Phillips, a flathead screwdriver, needle nose pliers and a pump. My suv has tires larger than my spare so using the spare is not an option. My beater car has a doughnut spare and you can only drive so fast and it's dangerous because a doughnut tire has no traction whatsoever. My hybrid only comes with a can of fix a flat and a pump and that is also a temporary fix and the person who has to change your tire is not going to be happy cleaning out your rim. It's also easier for me to get the plug kit and pump out to fix a flat than to have to pull everything out of my trunk to get to the spare or fix a flat. And with my SUV if I can use the spare. I would have to get the tools out to crank down my spare that's under the vehicle. And with my SUV and beater I would have to get the jack out, lift the car, loosen and tighten bolts and handle the dirty tires. I can fix my flat with the strips in way shorter time than going through the hassle of changing out my tire. With the strips I don't have to worry about any of that. I just roll the car till I see the screw or whatever and then crank the wheel so I can get the best access. The strips are so inexpensive and so easy and quick to use that I don't even bother to take it to the tire shop where I have flat protection because it'll cost me more in gas and time than it's worth.
I found that you can use rubber cement as the lube with the mushroom plugs. I also fabricated a L-shaped tool from thick (coat hanger) wire to insert in the hole to spread rubber cement around the inside of the hole (after reaming). You need to clean off the lube already on the plug with a rag/tissue, then coat it with rubber cement before putting it in the insertion tool. Leave till last and be quick so the cement solvent doesn't flash off (dry out). Clean the insertion tool when you get home (easy). ALSO - it's critical to ream out the hole heartily - don't just twist it, but plunge it in/out of the hole - any sharp wire left in the hole will damage the silicon plug and it can tear/fail. Never had a plug go wrong this way.
Great video. The internal view that you showed was absolutely superb. By the looks of it, the mushroom one looks neat and perfect. Though the strips also are equally good. I’ve used only sticky strips till date and that too a good number of times almost one a week as my tyres were quite soft and hence puncture prone. Is the tyre you have shown here Yokohama Earth 1?
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Shoutout to the camera man that’s inside the tire!
lol :)
😂
Ha jajaja
🤣🤣🤣🤣 it’s a good one. You just did my day
😂
Years ago, as a young hvac installer with with a growing family, I had plenty of duct tape on hand, but little cash. I once plugged a puncture by rolling a small strip of duct tape with it's adhesive side out, and jammed it into the hole with a small screwdriver. I drove on that duct tape tire plug over four months until I could afford the luxury of a decent used tire. It was still holding air when replaced.
That's the way rich people do it. I made a new tire repair outa fiber tape. It lasted til the car was sold.
I want to try that now 😂
Impressive!
Using the duct tape was smart when you had no plugs. It’s going to slow the leak down even if it doesn’t totally seal. I applaud you doing that. Being desperate is the mother of invention😂
Ledgend
The old style has been working for me over 60 years. Never has failed.
#teamsafetyseal 0:13
Which method is old
@@asmunique4513 ugly one
i bought mushroom type kit.. and wasted my hard earn money.. mushroom plug going inside after ride some kms..and start leakage
I've had bad luck with the mushroom style myself, but have a couple year old plugs done the old way that still seal perfectly. I'd personally stick with the old style.
Having spent my money on a neat little mushroom plug kit, I REALLY wanted to like it. However, after several years & several flats (tubeless motorcycle tires), the old sticky strips just work MUCH better (even though it doesn’t appear to be as elegant).
They work even better than a patch
@@rafars2246 I disagree, and that's based on what the manufacturers recommend.
I used the string and mushroom tips back in the early 70s when my job was strictly fixing flats. I used the hot patch glue on the tip of the mushroom gun so the rubber melted into the tire after two years never had a complaint.FWIW
Hi. Does the sticky strip damage the tire fiber??
With the mushrooms you lose all the air pressure but if you are quick with the strips you can save a lot which makes inflation easier !
Just got a nail in my tire today. Watched this video and read the comments. Decided to go with the sticky strip kit. It worked like a charm! Sometimes the old way is the best.
The availlability is a key factor.
How do you know it’s best without a comparison to the other?
I learned to plug a tire with the sticky strip when I was a teenager and worked at a gas station 50 years ago, I still use the sticky strip today, never has failed.
#metoo
Sticky plugs hands down. Plugged over 50+, never a leak. When I was in construction with my dually, I'd plug flats all the time, when I went to buy new tires, I counted 36 plugs in all six tires, never did one leak.
Ditto here ... I do love going in for new tires and having the tire shop sales guy approach me saying crap like: "I have to tell you, we found dangerous plugs in your tires... blah blah.. always buy a new tire or pay us to plug them, buy a warranty ..blah blah...". I tell them, I PLUGGED that tire, my plugs work fine, don't upsell me.
36 lol
i bought mushroom type kit.. and wasted my hard earn money.. mushroom plug going inside after ride some kms..and start leakage
I do not belive you
We need to fix the roofers ,carpenters and hvac people who litter the ground of construction sites.
Had a sidewall puncture from rail road line (spike) in Consul, Saskatchewan. A trucking company used 3 plug strips to hopefully get us 90 miles down the road. No tire shops had our size tire, so we drove very cautiously and nervously another 1600 miles into Phoenix. Remarkable that the sidewall held up and the plug strips worked so well. Have a few packs of the strips on hand now. Cheers.
I did the same thing on my Ford Ranger when I was a teenager. Crammed 3 plugs in the sidewall lol. It worked until I could afford a tire. Not the safest thing but sometimes you got to do what you got to do.
I put two in the sidewall of my low profile tire after a vandal knifed it. Drove on it for years. It’s still there
It's a myth you can't repair sidewall damage. Profitable for tire shops.
Were they plugs, or strips?
you're tell me that not a single tire shop for 1600 miles didn't have your tire size?! god damn
I have been doing many multi-thousand Km motorcycle adventure trips to remote locations like Alaska, Yukon, Labrador, etc... Tire puncture is the number one mechanical issue you are likely to encounter in rocky terrain! I also have used the sticky rope system for 35 years, but being a tool junky, we have tried to replace it many time with the "new" plug systems. We found that they are cumbersome to use, and their required tools take a lot more space and weight a lot more. We always return to the ropes, since it is dead reliable, simple and cheap. We even fix a 2" side wall rip once with many ropes. It was a temporary fix, but it got us out of the wood... Thanks for the GREAT video!
Thanks for watching !
Safety seal sells a truck tire repair kit where it uses 3 sticky ropes at once !!!! Shit really works ! 0:13
Never seen a mushroom plug like this but looks much cleaner. I’ve had 100% with sticky strips for 25 years. The first kit I bought in the 90’s didn’t even have cement - you were to just push the strip in bare (it was still sticky) and pull the tool out to trim the excess, still held fine. The cement makes them much easier to install as it acts as an initial lubricant. I think a cement would make a lot of sense with the mushroom but would gunk up the insertion tool pretty bad.
Ive never seen those mushroom plugs but for me the Sticky stripes have never failed.
I must have done about 10-12 repairs with the sticky rope over the last few years on my various cars. I never had one fail, they always work for the life of the tire. They are very affordable and work great. I think I will stick with the rope, pardon the pun.
Yes I've been using sticky plugs for about 45 years & never had a leak from them . Always got the full life out of the tyre . Thanks
I've used the mushroom plug on a rear Honda goldwing tire and rode it for over 5,000 miles with no problem at all.
I used these sticky ropes for many years in Southern Africa.I had loads of punctures. Now living in the UK , the other day I had a puncture and I plugged it myself.
Then I went to a tyre place and asked them to change it to a mushroom type.
They refused to help because apparently these sticky ropes are illegal in the UK.
I told them that I could pull the rope out and insert the screw that had caused the puncture but they refused to have anything to do with me.
I think these sticky ropes are so good and so effective that the tyre repair people have somehow managed to make it law that they can’t be used.
These sticky ropes are very safe and have even plugged large holes on the side wall. You can keep shaving them in and have 5 of them plugging a garage hole.I would later scrap the tyre but these sticky ropes are just fantastic.
Same here big tire shops for liability will not use sticky plugs, in fact most will not fix the tire but rather you buy a new one or a set of tires. A few shops will do the dismount ,grind and patch cement. It's all about being afraid of being sued if the tire blow out.
Sticky-plugs or known as dynplugs are temp fixes to get you tire back in-service and then you suppose to take it to a professional tire shop for final analysis and fix, but where I'm at in the USA 99% of the people do not do that.
Had exactly the same experience.
You are so wrong .
Not legal in the UK on road going cars trucks etc motorcycles.
I think they exaggerated to make it harder for you to argue. But repair shops have definitely excommunicated the sticky ropes. My opinion is that it's because they can make more money on the preferred internal patch method.
If they are willing to do the mushroom type but not the sticky rope then I guess I'm at a bit of a loss? Except that guess they still make a larger profit from it than sticky rope?
@@cloveroak5492 The mushroom plug type are also illegal. Only legal is internal patch applied from the inside. Tire Repair Strips work just fine. But no tire shop will use them. Not UK or USA.
Used the plug type in 1967 when I started as an apprentice mechanic and NEVER had an issue with any punctures and saved people a small fortune on inner tubes or new tyres so if it was good over 50 years ago then good enough today 👍
I was still using them in the late 70s.They weren't made for radials.We used inner boots then.
I've always used the strips on my cars with great permanent results and I decided to keep a repair kit and small 12 volt compressor in my Honda helix motor scooter trunk for an emergency encounter since it has tubeless tires but I also have a mushroom repair kit but have never used it. After seeing everyone's comments and experiences of using both types I took notice to the stem surface of each and would conclude that the inserted stem of the strip plug appears to have a much rougher type surface area that would most likely grab into the tire tread and stay secure for the life of the repair better than the mushroom plug's smoother stem design that others repeatedly reported had eventually pushed back inside the tire causing it to fail, while no one had reported this happening with a strip plug repair.
I always carry rope seals and a mobile air compressor in all of my vehicles. Trained my wife and sons how to find and repair punctures. I got a timberlock screw in one of my new Yokohama Geolandar tires on my truck, rope seal has been in there for 3 years and no leaks
When the tire stores refused to patch - even when the tire was under 6 years old - I have used the sticky strip method with rubber cement. One tire shop told me I had two punctures so close together that they were not allowed to fix it, and wouldn't say whether that was a company policy or a government "edict". I replied that I understood, that their business was "to sell tires", and the guy denied that, so I asked why does your sign state "XYZ Tires", you certainly do not sell washing machines !!! Anyway, I took the loose tire home filled it with air found the hole - a SINGLE hole, and used sticky strip method to patch the single hole, and it's been peachy for several years now.....
Tire shops always find some excuse as to why they "can't repair."
Just stick to sticky rope and DIY. even sidewall. Never fails. Tire shops and government edicts are done for profit only.
they don't give afuck about selling tires theyre probably payed hourly anyway... just dont want the liability of your 5 y/o cracking and dangerously patched tires
I’ve used the sticky rope at least a hundred times and it only failed once. I once fixed a tire with a mop string and some spray paint and it worked great. I used it like the sticky rope, I pushed it in with a screwdriver. A emergency repair in the middle of nowhere.
Great idea !
What were you doing in the middle of nowhere with a mop?
The mushroom plug does look pretty neat. The strip plug does turn into a ball on the inside after some mileage, they work very well, have done 100s, they normally last the life of the tire.
I have used the sticky strip method for over thirty years. I have done it roadside most of the time in around 15 minutes. I have also used it many time on my mower tires. It has always worked great and I have never had one fail.
I think sticky traditional one seal better and it has been used for many years and proven.
I worked for sears automotive for a year and goodyearctires for almost 25 years and the sticky plugs do not work I don't know how many times I had to rerepair a tire with the sticky shoe lace in it and I never saw the mushroom repair In a tire.
@@andysierra6934 I'm a truck driver for 25+ years sticky always worked for me
Use rubber cement all over the plug before inserting.
@@andysierra6934 I don't work in a tire shop but I've probably used a couple of dozen over the last 25 years on my and my family's personal vehicles and they always seem to work well. I can only recall one that leaked and it was from a linear puncture from a flat piece of metal, not a nail or screw.
@@andysierra6934 I’ve done a number of repairs with ye olde sticky strip, no issues, even on the corners of the tire where tire shops don’t dare.
Used a mushroom plug a few years ago on a motorcycle trip to Scotland and I had to keep topping up the air every day till I got home. Decided to try the sticky worms so I pushed the mushroom plug into the tyre to make way for the sticky worm. I was shocked at how easy it was to push it through. Did the sticky worm thing and it held tight until the tyre needed replacing. At the tyre shop, it was interesting to see the inside where the repair had been made and the sticky worm had formed a nice head inside the tyre and had bonded itself to the tyre. Since then, I have done a few car tyres and they have always been successful and easier to do, so sticky worms do it for me and cheaper too.
I have used the sticky rope for 30 years and it has always been reliable. I do prefer the orange color ones they tend to be more sticky. I have even plugged sidewalls and made double plugs on big holes(not recommended but it can work) and had them hold. On a simple small hold they will easily last the service life of the tire. I honestly have no experience with the mushroom plug because I feel no need to try when the rope plug works great.
Me too. I have done sketchy side of the road repairs with the rope kit that lasted the life of the tire. Even plugged into the sidewall once and it held .
Yea those orange colored ones are the better ones, a company called safety seal are the best I've ever used. Their rep rolled up to our shop back in '95 on 4 tires absolutely covered in their plugs, sidewalls & all. He proceeds to take an ice pick to his tires, in the tread and sides and plugs them on the spot. We were sold and never used any other brand from then on.
@@jdruin1 I agree. I never used the glue and I don't cut the rope sticking out. The road will sort that out. The only problem is it can be hard to get the needle through the tire. I had to use my cordless drill a few times.
Same(except never orange ones yet)here. I have driven countless miles on plugs through tread. As for folks above plugging sidewalls,I never would unless I was in a remote place and it would be very temporary for a slow drive to a new tire. If my spare was along and good I'd probably put that on instead.
Thank you for the information about fixing sidewalls. I had a hole the size of a sewing needle in a sidewall on an otherwise perfectly decent tire, and everyone was saying it's impossible to fix? Seemed a bit bonkers to me, but it was my wife's car so I bought a new one to be safe. Glad to know my instincts were correct, and it can be fixed. Wonder why people get their panties in a wad about it.
Iv used the mushroom plugs at least once a day for 7 years now as I work for a breakdown company and they are brilliant
i have just bought a tyre repair kit off amazon for £26 so that my son can repair the countless nails and screws we get flats with. each time costing £20. believe this or not between the families 4 cars we had had 14 flats in 2 years cosing us £280 plus one tyre that was destroyed as it was a side wall flat. fingers crossed after wathing this video i will start to save money...thanks for the demonstration
Was a tire guy in a mom and pop shop in my younger days.. we did every kind of tire you can think of. What i learned and still believe to be true is plugs are temporary. Ive fixed 100s because they leak , by patching over them from inside. The reaming tool can break the steel and polyester cords leading to tire separation.. seen it many times.. I recommend the patch..
We greatly appreciate you using a brand new tire and also showing us the inside view of the tire.😊
I've used the mushroom plug for years and never had a problem, and the air stayed for days. They are the best plugs I have used, and I have had to plug several motorcycle tires over the years.
I've been using the sticky type strips for 30 years without fail. Make sure to use rubber cement and also make sure to cut majority of excess on the exterior of course. Additionally, a little trick I've learned...I also will light a match or use a lighter, applying the fire to the strip after cutting it. Let it burn for just 30 seconds only then blow it out. I've found this method really bonds the gooey strip to the rubber tire better, almost like vulcanizing it. I've never had a failure.
make sense
Good idea, thank you
Sounds good and makes sense.
Fire melts rubber. 👍🏻
I just use my handy heat gun to "melt" and smooth down the sticky strip after trimming it down. I use a blunt tool (of appropriate size) to kind of pack it down a little more as it starts to cool.
I have used the sticky strips on cars, as well as cruiser & speed bikes, and it's always been a permanent fix that has lasted the life of the tire even without the glue, i currently have one on the rear tire of my motorcycle 😂
me too
I have never used glue, never was taught tonuse glue, somebody help me out, i just think the rubber cement is a bad idea and would make the plug itself less sticky and more useless
Good job, way to overcomplicate a simple repair. The old style plugs are all you need. Quick, easy and never an issue if used properly.
Been using the sticky since the 1980’s and has been incredible for on road off road, atv, street bikes on and on. I won’t lie this these mushroom plugs look pretty cool.
I have used all the plug kits and inside patches ( working in repair shops) never had a problem with any of them. The inside patch is the best if you can break the tire down.
Inside patches makes a thump noise while the tire is rolling! Use a plug!
Hey WOW man, that's totally awesome, you might offend an Italian if you're riding beside them, but seriously folks, my problem with the inside patch plug is that on vehicles that drive in the landfill and jobsite get holes often and sometimes close to each other and staples, I have used the inside ones on the side and corners intill we can get the tire, and its sometimes hard to get them to come back in, so use discretion.
Never had that problem.@@donraptor6156
As a former mountain bike rider, and the experience of finding a once used glue tube that is always dry the second time I need it, I went for the mushroom plug for my motorcycles. Worked every time and rode those tires to replacement. Mushroom plugs have my vote. But, hmmm, those sidewall tears, wellllll? Luck has kept me safe there.
I got a flat on my front tire of my motorcycle out in a rural area many years ago. This was before cell phones. Had to walk a few miles to a house to ask them if I could use their phone. The guy told me I didn't have to. He went to his garage and picked up a hand tire pump and a few sheet metal screws. He rode me back to my bike. Found the hole. Screwed in a screw and pumped up the tire. IT WORKED! Loved the clicking sound as I rode home. It held air til I got home and stayed inflated for some time til I was able to get another tire. He wouldn't take any money for helping me. I always kept a few screws and a small bicycle pump in my bag on my bike after that.
That sounds almost counterintuitive to what's supposed to work.
I drilled out a small puncture in a lawnmower tire and put a small screw in the hole about 10 years ago. I covered the threads of the screw with roof pitch I had on hand. I did it as a temporary fix, but since it held air, I forgot about it. It finally started leaking last year and I plugged it with a rope strip type.
@@GLHS592You can actually buy vacuum tyre repair screws now which do a similar job. Remove the nail or screw and then screw the vacuum tyre repair screw into the hole. Very quick temporary repair.
Absolutely.......
Despatch rider for thirty one years covering over 100,000 miles a year and always carried a foot pump as well as a handful of small stubby drywall screws. Great for a quick fix on the go and had several which lasted for weeks.
I just bought two plug strip kits for the RV. I have used them for longer than I care to remember and never had an issue.
Been using a strip plug kit that I purchased over 30-years ago. Just used it to repair a tire on my pickup last month. Has worked great for me on every vehicle I have owned for the past 30-years.
Been using the stirps for as long as I can remember, never heard nor seen the mushroom, so my conclusion is I will continue to keep using the strips. They just work, and I have never used the glue, no need........
I used to repair tires as a kid and we had bonnet plugs three different sizes the tool was simple put on correct tip and the bonnet went in the top then a plastic point on the end. Insert and squeeze handle in it went. You could also tell how often tire has been plugged by all the plastic points inside. They really only worked with bias ply. Belted tires the wire gets in the way and stops through sealing.
me too, just did a video on a repair of my kubota tire, used my 30 yr. old kit, with the string plugs, lube, no glue.....been doing it for many years@@fredschultz8267
ha, just posted a video about cleaning up my garden area, got a flat on my Kubota, whipped out my "Safety Seal" plug kit, 3 mins. on my way. I have the original kit i purchased 30 years ago, and the orange string plugs are original......no problem
I saw the fungus for the first time. Interesting 🤔 But I have a good old sticky shoelace in my car. He's been helping me out for years.
Had a hole in my tyre new years eve about the size of say a match stick. Was letting air out fast when i tried to inflate so i screwed a normal screw into the tyre as i was getting four new ones in 3-4 days. The screw worked great and hardly lost any air pressure over the next four days so now bought those rubberised screws for any future punctures.
I have always used the Strip Plug. If things are really ugly, you can always install more than one in the same hole. This may not be long lasting however it's enough to get you home. Cheaper than a tow truck.
That's for sure !
I used the mushroom head 60 years ago when it was powered by air only at a Sears Auto repair and tire store. It was great and never failed. I recently found one power by a spring and bought the kit for home and on the road use. I’ve used the rope over the years and always kept a kit in my trailer and pickup. It also has never failed.
Link please?
i used the mushromm for 100 year and never hag any flat tire, even my grafather iused it
I have used mushroom around 120 years, and the tire is still good
I eat mushrooms and make me see I new tires😂😂😂
@@Jorge-fy2ndalways a good trip bro?
On Saturday I picked up my brand new Ute from the dealership- drove it just 2km and had a puncture! Oh well at least Ive fond the jack and wheelbrace. I decided to do the right thing and go straight to a tyre shop. $67.50 for a puncture repair!!!!! " but thats with fitting and balancing" he called after me as I was walking back to my truck- I waited till I got home and slipped a dog turd into it- job done!
Never tried the mushroom plug, but the sticky rope has worked well for me, several repairs while on the road, tire still on the vehicle, inflated with a portable compressor. Worked every time to get me going again.
Most people seem to agree with you about the sticky rope
Been using the sticky strip patch for many years, they just work.
I have only used the mushroom plug type tyre repair, but i can say it has been as equally as effective on both my car & motorcycle (tubeless in both cases) & without applying any glue to it, fantastic bit of kit ! 👍
Sticky strips have been tried and tested for decades - they work!!!
The sticky rope is long term more reloable, it becomes part of the rubber of the time. The solvent cement works better if you also apply it to the rasp as you prepare the hole. The rubber shrooms eventually leak and/or go into the tire.
I second the cement on the rasp while enlarging the hole and doubling the amount on the rope. Also don't touch the rope at all with your fingers
@@plowe6751 Why can't you just use vulcanizing cement on the mushroom plug before inserting to aid with it sealing and staying put?
Used to work at a gas station in high school, if we were repairing tires was always a patch, plugs didn't seem to hold up. Could use on the side of the road to get you to a tire shop or gas station, but I would not trust them for long. Just my personal experience
@@PD-yd3fr The ones with the rubber sement should hold up for the life of the tire if applied correctly. Ive had tire shop plug tires and i have plugged them myself too and all lasted the life of the tire.
100% True !
I've been using the sticky plugs for just over 50 years both professionally and my family's personal vehicles since I retired and have never had a one come back leaking.
Im choosing the “Sticky tire plug” definitely! The rubber cement helps fill any tiny microscopic gaps, as well as glues the strip to the rubber of the tire.
I've noticed that the glue functions more of a lubricant than anything else
I have tried both. The sticky works better because of the rubber cement. The mushroom will get pushed into the tire as you roll over uneven ground
But it actually doesn’t get pushed into the tire…. I use them on my semi and have some in my drives with 80K miles on them….
If you knew literally ANYTHING about tires, you’d know the rubber cement has zero to do with keeping the plug in the tire.
Somewhere I read that the mushrooms weren't recommended for hyway use, I think it was Myers or Gemplers after I had a failure with one I didn't try it again, but I think some of these things require more preparation, I haven't had much luck with the "mono fill" (looks like blue shoe lace with grey gum under wrapper), but I'm sure they work if follow procedures, my favorite is the brown radial string plug, my kit came with a cup of something that seemed to be petroleum jelly, when it ran out I refilled it with Freylube, I also use a rotary rasp on a drill if the plug won't go in but have considered trying a ratchet strap to help it.
I carry mushroom plugs on my motorcycle with compressed air cartridges. Figured it’s easier to carry with less potential to make a mess in the bag. I considered them as a way to get out of a jam. Haven’t had to use them yet. Hopefully won’t have to. Figured I’d cross that bridge if it ever come up.
@@sjfk1306 I've see you in another comment section on a video similar to this and you've copy-pasted this message lmao.
@@sjfk1306 your right it's whatever the strips already have and not the cement i believe the cement stays outside when your pushing in the strips
The sticky rope reseals itself, you can stack them up for bigger punctures and they have the highest newton force measured in preventing dislodging from their position after installation even without the rubber cement.
Self vulcanizing
I've never used the mushroom type but have used the regular strip type plugs and never had a problem with them. They're cheap easy to use and don't take up much space to store.
I'm a sticky rope(dog turd) bloke myself. I had heard about the mushroom kits and people saying they were better but I havn't seen them before. After watching this, I can confirm that I'll be sticking to the dog turds. The installation of the turds maintains a very useable tyre pressure so the repair can be made if you have no access to air. The mushroom kit looks to allow air to escape quite quickly whilst changing from the spike to the inserter though that may be able to be done better. It also looks to be a little more fiddly during the process. That, and you can stack the turds for larger leaks. I also only use the rubber cement until I run out of whatever came with the kit, then I just dont use any. they will seal with or without it and still outlast the tyres.
NEITHER!! .. Original super sticky strips without adhesive tube, are the bomb that always works. I've had a kit for 20+ years, 1 strip left.. used one 6 months ago, they still work great, never had one fail.
I've never tried the mushroom plug but have used the strips quite a few times and have never had one fail on me. I've got friends that offroad that are expert in using several at a time for trail-fixes to get them off the trails.
43 years ago I was pulling a trailer up in Canada near the Alaska border...I had stopped for something when I heard the hiss of air leaking from a 36" rear tire on my truck, I had no spare...I was a carpenter in those days and rummaging thru my tool box I found some 16d vinyl coated "sinker" nails and the puncture was small enough that I just licked a nail and pushed it into the hole stopping the leak. The air in the tire lasted me several days to do some fishing and get to the nearest civilization which was about 50 miles away. I always carry a nail or two since then....as well as the sticky rope kit.
I've only every used the sticky strips but have done so many, many times both with and without the cement and not a single one has ever failed for the remaining life of the tire, so when someone tells me I NEED to take it to a shop to have it done" properly" I just smile and say "right".
Yup. They charge over 25 bucks for the same outcome
In my country its cheaper to repair it at tyre shop or gas station.
My sticky plug keeps coming out. Is it perhaps cos i am using a cheap plug? Should i be using an expensive plug? I think the cheap one might have cheap glue that makes it sticky and the fibres break apart too easily
Do you think thats my problem?
@dmangh9 When you reamed the hole, did it seem real loose? If the puncture is too large a plug won't stay. You need to either patch it from the inside, or buy another tire.
@@josephcazzuto7198 They charge you for a new tyre when they refuse to do the job!
I’m a Senior Pro-Tec and been using mushroom tire kit sin Snap-On tool introduced it in 1990. Perfect for cars, motorcycles, ATV, etc. last past the life of any tire I’ve repaired. Even the ones that are burned out. From drag racing
I'm getting older and weaker and have trouble pushing in the worms while the car and I are on the ground, The mushroom look like I could handle that while keeping the tire on the car. Do you have an opinion?
I use the sticky ropes and have used up to 4 sticky ropes in a single sidewall puncture in an offroad UTV tire. It held air for over 1 week until the tire was replaced! Keep an extra 2 or 3 tubes of the rubber cement unopened as they tend to dry up after they get opened.
Great tip!
I keep a sticky strip kit in each of my cars and have used them about 20 times with no failures. I've never used rubber cement with them. The one failure I had with them was one I didn'
t install. When I bought a used truck one tire was slowly losing air. I found a sticky strip plug that was leaking. I pulled it out with needlenose pliers and installed a new one. It outlasted the tire. A tire shop mechanic told me that driving a few miles at highway speed would make a better seal because of the heat.
Back in the early 1970’s I worked in a local gas station and we used both and never had any issues. The mushroom plugs needed a gun to insert them. Looked kind of like a pop rivet gun. The rope ones just need the simple T handle so anyone could use them. I still use the rope ones personally and never had any issues with repaired tires.
Used sticky strip on 4 punctures so far, including a bad one that required 2 strips, and it worked every time.
Mushroom plug is really well thought out. Never seen it before
Old way has never failed me. Plugged probably 20 various personal tires over the years.
I’ve used the sticky strips on atv tires and they work pretty well. On a car or truck tire, I’d just take it to a tire shop and let them put an actual patch on it for a nearly permanent fix. The last set of tires on my car had a patch put on it when the tires were very new and it lasted until they were worn out. The tread was so worn out that the patch wouldn’t stick anymore. Tires had 55 k miles on them, about 45 k was with the patch on it. Instead of trying to fix the tire again, I just bought new tires.
I've used both, without trouble on the repairs. Both can be done on a mounted tire, even on the vehicle.
The main difference for me is the glue (rubber cement). That makes the strip kits single-use, as the glue always seems to be dried out if I try to save it for later.
The mushroom style uses a soft silicone rubber plug like a fishing lure. They hold and seal as well (or perhaps better?) than the strips, and ++ you don't need glue++.
If you off-road much (or have OLD trailer tires) and have ever had a valve break off, that there are valve replacement tools that can be done without dismounting the tire as well! These valve-replacement "cones" work! Great for old trailer tires/valves as well.
Those valve replacement cones are a great idea !
I have used both and both work well. I have never had a problem with the mushroom heads. They do not migrate into the tire because the internal air pressure pushes against it to make it stay in place. I have had the cloth ones leak because the cement dries out and cracks allowing passage of air, especially in the cold freezing weather. Both have their respective pro's and cons. It's just a preference of choice and convenience to apply.
This video is very good. So good, in fact, that I have no curiosity to try the mushroom plug.
I'd never seen a mushroom plug before or knew what it was. I didn't realize until just watching this video that's what the tire shop repaired my tire with recently. Hoping it holds over the winter.
Some shops will pull the tire off and patch it the correct way with a little roughing up the surface to make the rubber have better adhesion and applying the patch.
A proper tyre shop, should remove the tyre from the rim and inspect then do a proper repair with a larger glued in version of that mushroom plug. Both of these DIY repairs are supposed to be only temporary repairs anyway.
I've used the sticky rope, never used cement with it. Always worked. I usually take the tire in for an inside patch, but have run tires with just the sticky plug for years.
I've used the strips consistently for years. While in general they seem to hold up very well, yet every now and then one would develop a slow leak, and I'd have to redo it. In theory the mushrooms should work better since the underside of the head fits snug and flush against the tire surface, and work in conjunction with the tire pressure to help press it against the tire surface. I think if the stalk of the mushroom plugs were textured and they had a thin coat of vulcanizing material on the underside of the head they would stay in better. When done correctly, the strips form a sort of mushroom or ball on the inside of the tire that mimics the mushrooms head.
Nice comparison. I've used the sticky strips for over 50 years and never had one fail. I drove on them for years. Never tried the mushrooms so don't know about them. They look better but I'll use what I know works.
Thanks, that seems to be the popular opinion :)
Brilliant video I've never used the mushroom kit but the sticky strips used with the rubber cement work wonderfully...and are simple and quick to use
Thank you, I think the majority of people commenting agree with you :)
I've used the "sticky strip" seals a bunch of times.
Keep a set in the truck with a 12 Volt Air Compressor.
That mushroom plug looks really interesting. A more complicated solution to a simple problem.
I have the mushroom kit and a small 12v compressor in the trunk, they work great. When I was young and broke. I got a flat from a screw deep in the tread groove. I got a slightly larger flathead screw, added some clear silicon to the threads and tightened it down. Drove it for 2 years until the tire worn out and wouldnt pass inspection.
Ha, someone was saying in a review about tires 'nails' that '"wouldn't just putting sealant
on a screw accompish the same thing?" Well now we know, yes it does.
Trip to spain ,my bike picked up two plasterboard screws in one go,all over road.
Used the string type,one was 1 inch near edge of tyre,held up for 600 miles doing some higher speeds and started leaking, repluged and started leaking a tiny bit immediately, so thought ill check in a hour at first fuel stop.still leaking ,moved on another 120 miles and it sealed itself. I wouldn't hesitate to use again or put multiple strings in .Once they are in,not coming out and ive tried hard with pliers to pull out,in end pushed in with the reemer and put another string in.The one in the middle didn't leak at all.
2500 miles on the plugs are still in tyre and the one loses only 2 lb per week.
I used the mushroom plug back in the 60s and never had a problem with them. I still have the gun that was used to insert them. It works on the same principle as a caulking gun. but we had two different sizes of plugs. Never had a problem with them.
I been doing plugs for years and never fail me!
The sticky rope style just work and I trust them after years of using them. As another commenter mentioned, also prefer the orange or brown ones over the black, but both work. Only time I've an issue with a pack of the black ones, was from a pack my dad bought which it sat around for years in the toolbox (I forget how many were in the pack, but lets just say a pack of 5, three plugs left, the remaining sat for some years, keep in mind I was the one who originally used this pack of 5, and I know they were good when new). When I needed to plug a tire on a car I had bought, none of those last 3 plugs would seal, the air seemed to slip through the rope fibers, so I had to go buy a new pack and the new plug sealed the first time. That said, they do otherwise last the life of the tire from my experience. While the mushroom style looks cleaner inside the tire, I know the rope plugs work perfectly when new every time, are cheap, quick to install, and can get them nearly anywhere, so I plan to stick with those. Once you drive with a rope plug, the outside wears flat pretty fast, can hardly tell one is installed, basically becomes one with the tire, so the cleaner look of the mushroom makes zero difference to me. Just my random thoughts as I seen this video in my recommended.
Sticky strip has worked for me for years. For off-road rigs and street. Less head ache less problems with 2 tools needed.
I used to work at a gas station and the tar string repairs were simple and super fast!!! but if the hole was too big for 2 strings, we had to remove the tire from the rim and patch it from the inside...being careful NOT TO grind too much internal rubber or we would expose the tread inside....
Hi I tried the rope type with a motorcycle rear tyre totally deflated, and found when trying to install the rope that the point of the tool bottomed out on the well of the wheel rim, before the rope would go through the tyre to the required amount, ie two tails sticking out by 1/2”. Maybe the mushroomed headed plug can be installed easier when a tyre is completely deflated. Can you please do this comparison test with a motorcycle tyre still on the wheel and totally deflated? Thanks
If you get a strip kit spend the money on a good quality one, a lot of them now come with cheap hand tools that easily bend and break. The mushroom tool kits are typically decent quality. They both do a good job fixing the leak if done properly.
With strips, I was always taught to twist the tool like a screw driver, to ensure the plug will bind up on itself inside the tire, making it less prone to fail.. weather or not it really works I continue to do so.
The reamer tool has spiral threat. Don't need to twist
My wife had a flat last week on the very first day of ownership of her new vehicle. I couldn’t just plug it on the brand new tire so I paid the tire shop $20 to remove and repair it. There was a 3-4” piece of metal rod the size of a welding rod bent into an L shape inside the tire. I have successfully used plugs over the years. The prior owner of my ATV put at least 1/2 dozen plugs in the tires. Those tires are 17 years old and still holding air!
I have mushroom plug ("gun" type) kits that come with rubber cement. You liberally put it on the reamer and it builds up around the hole on the inside. Then when you pull the plug back it gets glued in place. The plugs also have a thicker stem that gets compressed in the hole. I have done about 8 tires this way and none have ever leaked. Previously I tried the strips and found they often leak. Can be seen when you do the soapy water test.
I’ve been using the sticky strip plugs for about the last 115 years and never had any problems with them. Hopefully I’ll get to use them another 75 to 100 years.😎✨
lol :)
Never had much luck with the strips and glue. But the red strips that are so sticky they're hard to get out of the package and need no glue have worked 100% of the time. Even on the edge of the tread next to the side wall. Let's see a patch do that. All the construction around here and I've got to plug tires all the time (twice this year so far). Also, a drill with a bit the size of the reamer works a lot better than the reamer.
I've only used one sticky plug once in my life and that tire has never needed air added to it. I used a copious amount of rubber cement and a heat gun. I'm sold. I will always carry a sticky plug kit in my vehicles.
One observation and suggestion, try using the mush plug with the Cement also?????
Sticky stuff👍...Did that 1.5 yr ago on the sidewall of my tire and super glue the ends..its still good and no leak..
I still have my mushroom kit decades after I stopped riding motorcycles. I've also used the mushroom kit on cars, trucks, and mobile home tires. Zero failures. Super well made kit.
the thing about them mushroom ones is that almost all auto parts retailers do NOT carry it.....either its the patch kit or string kit or that BS can of sealant
Yup team mushroom kit, Im 45 now but as a kid my dad had the gun type. And now I carry a mushroom gun kit in my service truck. Discount Tire will not repair a hole in a tire that has been plugged by a sticky strip.
Sticky strip for the win. I have been using them for decades on my personal tires. I have never had one leak or fail on me. I have one in one of my tires now that has been there for over 45k miles.
I purchased a mushroom kit recently because every sticky strip I applied kept having minor leaks, the mushroom kit didn't appear to have any slow leaks. For summer I'm sure it's fine to use a strip but it's getting pretty cold in my state and the air just finds any way out but the mushroom plug with a bit of vulcanizing rubber works great for me.
I've never had a sticky strip leak in cold weather. I suspect you're not having air leak out, but you're actually seeing the normal pressure drop that happens when air gets cold. When it warms up, the pressure will return to normal. I always add a little air in the fall, and have to let some air out in the spring.
You should always use the glue sealant combined with the sticky strips. Always. Add the glue while using the raming scraping tool. That way you’ll leave sealant inside and air will force it out and seal better the opening.
I have used Holts tyre weld for my motorbike tyre and car tyre side walls.
Both mechanics said it is not repairable due to nail not in the centre of the tyre. I had the tyres on it's side to let the weld set. Both tyres lasted until it was worn out.
I've used the strips for years and have plugged many tires. Never had any problems whatsoever. I've even used the strips without the rubber cement and still no problems.
You can get inexpensive refill strips pretty much anywhere from auto stores, convenience stores, grocery stores etc. You can even by complete stip repair kit with everything you need for like $6.00 vs the mushroom that goes for around $40.00. And lastly. Look how quick and easy it was to use the strip vs the mushroom.
For road trips I toss a strip repair kit in my trunk along with a Phillips, a flathead screwdriver, needle nose pliers and a pump. My suv has tires larger than my spare so using the spare is not an option. My beater car has a doughnut spare and you can only drive so fast and it's dangerous because a doughnut tire has no traction whatsoever. My hybrid only comes with a can of fix a flat and a pump and that is also a temporary fix and the person who has to change your tire is not going to be happy cleaning out your rim.
It's also easier for me to get the plug kit and pump out to fix a flat than to have to pull everything out of my trunk to get to the spare or fix a flat. And with my SUV if I can use the spare. I would have to get the tools out to crank down my spare that's under the vehicle. And with my SUV and beater I would have to get the jack out, lift the car, loosen and tighten bolts and handle the dirty tires. I can fix my flat with the strips in way shorter time than going through the hassle of changing out my tire. With the strips I don't have to worry about any of that. I just roll the car till I see the screw or whatever and then crank the wheel so I can get the best access.
The strips are so inexpensive and so easy and quick to use that I don't even bother to take it to the tire shop where I have flat protection because it'll cost me more in gas and time than it's worth.
I found that you can use rubber cement as the lube with the mushroom plugs. I also fabricated a L-shaped tool from thick (coat hanger) wire to insert in the hole to spread rubber cement around the inside of the hole (after reaming). You need to clean off the lube already on the plug with a rag/tissue, then coat it with rubber cement before putting it in the insertion tool. Leave till last and be quick so the cement solvent doesn't flash off (dry out). Clean the insertion tool when you get home (easy).
ALSO - it's critical to ream out the hole heartily - don't just twist it, but plunge it in/out of the hole - any sharp wire left in the hole will damage the silicon plug and it can tear/fail.
Never had a plug go wrong this way.
Great video. The internal view that you showed was absolutely superb. By the looks of it, the mushroom one looks neat and perfect. Though the strips also are equally good. I’ve used only sticky strips till date and that too a good number of times almost one a week as my tyres were quite soft and hence puncture prone. Is the tyre you have shown here Yokohama Earth 1?