How to Patch a Tire

Co-authored by Howard Fleischmann

Last Updated: December 7, 2023 Fact Checked

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Have you ever had a nail, screw or other sharp object puncture your vehicle's tire? If so, you know it is a major inconvenience since having a tire shop repair or replace it is quite expensive. Luckily, if the tire is in otherwise good condition, you might be able to patch the leak yourself.

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Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Finding the Leak

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In order to find a leak the tire must be properly pressurized. You should inflate your tire with air until it reaches the appropriate pressure (measured in psi) specified in your vehicle’s service manual.
Before moving on to more time consuming techniques, you should take a moment to look at your tire. If you notice any holes, cuts, or objects protruding from tire then you have found your leak.

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Even if you aren't able to see the problem right away you might be able to hear it. A hissing sound is a clear sign that air is leaking from your tire, and can help you locate the leak.
If you run your hands over the tire carefully you may feel the leak even if you can't hear or see it.
If you followed the steps above and you were not able to easily find the leak don’t fear. Spraying the tire with a little soapy water or window cleaner may help. If you see bubbling at any place on the surface of the tire then you have found your leak.^{[1]
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Research source}^{[2]
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Expert Source

Howard Fleischmann
Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.}
You can use a spray bottle to spray the tire, or if a spray bottle isn’t available you can just pour the mixture over the tire.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Howard Fleischmann
Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.}
As air escapes the tire and encounters the soapy water mixture it will form soap bubbles. If you notice the soapy water bubbling at any particular place on the tire, you have found your leak.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Howard Fleischmann
Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.}

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Removing the Tire

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It is important to remember to loosen, or break, the lug nuts before you jack up the vehicle. This way the weight of the vehicle is still on the wheels and it prevents them from spinning dangerously while you turn the lugs.
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Jack up the car. Once the lugs have been loosened, it will be necessary to jack the care up so that the wheels can be removed. As mentioned above, this should be done on level concrete or some other hard, level surface. Some important things to remember when jacking up the care are:
- Your service manual will recommend jacking points
- The most common way to elevate the car is a floor jack, or trolley jack. If you are unsure how to use one visit Lift a Car Using a Trolley Jack.
- You should use jack stands to stabilize the car. A good tutorial on jack stands can be found at Use Jack Stands.
- If you have access to a hydraulic lift it will save you time.
At this point, the lugs may be loose enough to remove by hand. If not, finish removing the lugs with the lug wrench or impact wrench. Once the lugs are removed, pull the wheel off of the wheelbase. If you are uncomfortable removing a wheel, read about how to Remove Lug Nuts and Tires.
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Pull out any protruding object with a pair of pliers. Mark this spot with chalk or markers as it is obviously where your leak will be.
- When there's no protruding item, follow the above steps for locating a leak and then mark it.
Use a valve stem core remover to remove the valve stem core. This is a special two pronged tool that you use to unscrew the valve stem core from the center of the valve stem and pull it out. This releases the tire pressure so that you can break the bead.
To remove the tire, use a tire spoon and a hammer to break the bead that seals the tire and rim. You will need to do this on both sides of the tire to completely remove it from the rim.
There is a groove on the rim that is made to hold one side of the tire so that you can remove the other side. Once you get one side of the tire into this groove you can use the spoons to pry the other side of the tire off of the rim. Then work the spoons all the way around the tire until you have taken the first side of the tire completely off of the rim.
Now that one side is completely removed from the rim, flip your tire over and use the spoons to pry the opposite side off of the rim as well. Now your tire will be completely separated from the rim.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Patching the Tire

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Select a pointy bit that will fit into the hole where the leak is. This will roughen up the sides and clean the area so that the patch will bond correctly when installed.
Spray a "Pre-Buff Cleaner" on the inside of the tire where the patch will be installed. Use the grinding stone to clean and roughen up the area around the hole (about two inches in diameter around the hole). This will give the patch a clean surface to make bond with the tire.
This will remove any dirt or debris created by the buffing process. It is important to have a clean surface for the patch to bond to.
This will prevent water from entering the hole and moving its way into the tire’s tread. Let stand until the cement is "tacky" to touch.
This is the side that will contact the inside of your tire.
The pointy part should enter the hole from the inside of the tire and be pushed out through the outside. Use a pair of pliers to grip the pointy side of the patch. Pull this pointy part of the patch out from the tire's tread. This pulls the sticky part of the patch tightly to the inner side of the tire.
This will remove any air bubbles in between the sticky side of the patch and the buffed surface. The patch is now sealed properly onto the tire.
You should cover the whole patch and some of the tire. This makes sure that there will be absolutely no leaks!
It should only take a couple of minutes. While you are waiting, use a pair of side cutters (or scissors) and cut the stem of the patch to be flush with the top of your tread.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Reinstalling the Tire

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Go around bead of the tire (the inner ring that seals to the rim) and lubricate it with dish soap.
Use the tire spoons to pry one side of the tire open and slide it back onto the rim. Once you have the first side on, repeat the same procedure for the second side.
It is best practice not to reuse the valve stem core and to simply replace it anytime it is taken out.
Fill the tire up to the correct pressure as specified on the sidewall of the tire or in your owner’s manual. This pressure will force the tire into the correct place on the rim and seal the bead.
You should slide the wheel back onto the wheelbase and thread the lug nuts on tight enough to hold wheel in place while the car is still on the jackstands.
Use the floor jack to remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground..
Once the weight is back on the wheels, use a lug wrench or impact wrench to tighten the lugs to the proper torque specifications in your service manual. Be sure to tighten lugs in a star pattern.
As long as the patch was successful, the repair will last as long as your tire is in use.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How do I repair a tire leak on the sidewall of the tire?

Community Answer

Never repair on the side wall because too much flexing occurs when driving the vehicle. Talk to a professional for help with this repair.

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How do I know when not to use a patch?

Community Answer

Don't use a patch when the tire tread is worn out, and never use one on the side wall.

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Tips

If you have access to a tire mounting machine it will save you a lot of time separating and rejoining the tire and rim.

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Warnings

Do not attempt to patch holes on the sidewall of your tire.

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This is meant for small holes only. Do not attempt to patch any holes that are long or irregular.

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