[metalhdmatt1]

Google has 10 different answers and the search bar is broke. lol

I have a very small whole in side wall, less than 1/4" Should I plug it or patch it is the ?????

Then what product should I use?? Thanks in advance. Pic attached

 

[hemifoot]

if it were me,i'd junk it or use it as an emergency spare.

 

[DaveB]

On a street car, I'd junk it. On my quads, I've ran sidewalls with 4 plugs in them done as an emergency trail repair for many rides afterwards...no issues. Is it DOT safe? Probably not.

 

[scottmc]

For my kind of riding (nothing crazy, mostly logging roads and trails), I would patch it properly from the inside.

 

[Chief...]

I used this product on a sidewall hole and ran it that way for a couple hundred mile with no problems.
Stop & Go 1075 30 Piece Tubeless Tire Plugger Repair Kit for Punctures and Flats on Car, Motorcycle, ATV, Jeep, Truck, & Tractor (25 Mushroom Plugs) (amazon.com)
There is a video on there that shows how it works.

 

[Chief...]

If you decide to take the tire off and patch it, I have used these also on sidewall damage (although they don't recommend it).
ZERINT TP-M13W Combination Repair Unit Kit, Tire Repair Patch Plug Kit 1/6" x 1 3/8", 1/4" x 1 3/4" and 3/8" x 2 3/8" Wrapped stem 8 pcs Each (amazon.com)
with
2 Pieces Tire Patches Tools, Tire Patch Roller and Tire Buffer Wheel, Tire Repair Grinding Head Buffing Wheel for Air Tire Buffer (42 mm) (amazon.com)
and
Western Weld Clear All Purpose Tire Repair Vulcanizing Cement Brush Top Can 8 oz (amazon.com)

Note: I did not use the buffer wheel, the sidewalls are too thin and it does not take much to compromise them. I just made sure the surface was good and clean with a little rubbing alcohol.

After the patch was installed I did put a coat of Inner Liner Sealer over the whole thing.
Steelman Inner Liner Sealer, Seals Repairs, Fast-Drying, for Tubes and Tires, Applicator Included, 16 Oz. (amazon.com)

 

[Tozguy]

Removing the tire and patching from the inside should work well using the mushroom style patch that Chief has mentioned in post #6.
The sidewall is thin and conventional plugs from the outside would not hold.
It does not look like there is any structural damage so a good air tight patch should get the tire back in service with no worries.

 

[kobuk]

Here is a fun video to watch. It shows a few different style plugs.

 

[metalhdmatt1]

You all are so awesome! Thanks for the info, I will not throw away a tire with 40 hrs on it!!

 

[Jimmy N]

I've had very good luck with Safety Seal plugs over the years, including with slashed sidewalls.

Be sure to get the Slim plugs if you go with Safety Seal as the regular ones can be tough to stuff through a small hole in the tread area of a radial.

 

[scottmc]

What Tozguy said...mushroom plug from the inside is your best option.

 

[Tozguy]

You all are so awesome! Thanks for the info, I will not throw away a tire with 40 hrs on it!!

Just for the record is it a radial tire or bias ply?
Contrary to what some persons think, atv tires are not all bias ply. A radial tire would definitely require a big patch on the inside.

 

[Ducvet]

Is a tube possible?
The stem needs to have a large enough hole as tube stems are thick but dirt bikes still use them.

Have they ever had Mousse tubes for atv's?
A foam liner that naturally is 11-13psi but I would be surprised if they could not come up with a softer one, no more flats and puncture sidewall damage should be a non-issue. given the long lifespan of some of these tires It might be a good match if they have them.

 

[metalhdmatt1]

Its a nylon 6 ply tubeless, they came stock on the machine when i bought it. Pinacale obor 255/65/12

 

[metalhdmatt1]

Removing the tire and patching from the inside should work well using the mushroom style patch that Chief has mentioned in post #6.
The sidewall is thin and conventional plugs from the outside would not hold.
It does not look like there is any structural damage so a good air tight patch should get the tire back in service with no worries.

Why remove the tire? The video shows patching from the outside? Is it bc its a side wall? Thanks

 

[Tozguy]

If the patch was on the outside with the kind of riding I do it would be exposed to rubbing on trees and rocks.
Also, air pressure would tend to push the inside patch towards the hole instead of away from it.

 

[metalhdmatt1]

If the patch was on the outside with the kind of riding I do it would be exposed to rubbing on trees and rocks.
Also, air pressure would tend to push the inside patch towards the hole instead of away from it.

That's why I'm confused on why tozguy said to remove the tire and patch from inside with a mushroom style patch?
Wouldn't patching it from the outside push the air against the patch? Am i missing something, either way i ordered that mushroom style patch kit, will be here tuesday and ill try it out.

 

[Ducvet]

Mushroom style patches otherwise called patch plugs are done from the inside for a few reasons NORMALLY.

1. the patches are not designed to be used on sidewalls and if in the tread area you would rip it off when riding.

2. The inner tire is a safer place to put a patch as it can be bonded there normally as a smoother surface

3. As mentioned you have positive air pressure inside pushing the patch into the hole helping to hold it in place vs internal air inside pushing the patch out of the hole

Since there are not designed for sidewalls and this may be a temporary fix anyway all bets are off and you do what you have to do. I would look at it as a short term fix can be quick and dirty repair where if I am hoping for longer term success I would used the best method that give the best chance of it happening.

 

[metalhdmatt1]

Mushroom style patches otherwise called patch plugs are done from the inside for a few reasons NORMALLY.

1. the patches are not designed to be used on sidewalls and if in the tread area you would rip it off when riding.

2. The inner tire is a safer place to put a patch as it can be bonded there normally as a smoother surface

3. As mentioned you have positive air pressure inside pushing the patch into the hole helping to hold it in place vs internal air inside pushing the patch out of the hole

Since there are not designed for sidewalls and this may be a temporary fix anyway all bets are off and you do what you have to do. I would look at it as a short term fix can be quick and dirty repair where if I am hoping for longer term success I would used the best method that give the best chance of it happening.

I like your response. Considering the tire has about 40 hrs on it i would like for it to be long term fix so maybe instead of me doing this side wall patch, ill take it to a tire shop and have them do it.

 

[Ducvet]

They are not hard to do yourself so I would consider that. If PAYING someone to do it it may change the equation at that point I would likely replace it as the removal and install could cost you more than it is worth. Doing it yourself with free labor changes that so I would check prices for you doing it vs someone else if they get anywhere near the cost of a replacement tire I would not have them patch it .

Some things make sense to pay a pro to do others not so much this may be one of those.