PakWheels Infographic: The Correct Way To Fix A Tyre Puncture
Tyres being a vital part of a car need to be kept in the most immaculate conditions possible; well, mainly because they are the only things keeping a car on the road. The ones in Pakistan undergo a lot of stress because of continuous braking, poor road conditions and a hot climate. With all these things in consideration, a tyre is more likely to have a puncture. When repairing a puncture, we try making the tyre as good as new. But which is the best way to do it?
Patch method
Patch method, or commonly known as “Istri(iron) wala puncture,” practices the older way of repairing tubes. This is now also used to repair tubeless tyre punctures. The person first cleans the puncture site and then applies an adhesive. He then sticks a rubber patch on the adhesive. Pressure and heat is applied for a certain time to let the patch sit firmly on to the rubber.
This method is least recommended by tyre manufacturers as it only seals the inner part of the tyre. The outer part still has a cavity which lets water, moisture and dust damages the tyre. It is also most likely to leak under high stress.
Filler method
Filler method, commonly known as “Sui wala puncture”, uses a probe to pierce through the tyre with a repairing compound in such a way that when the probe is pulled out, the repairing compound has sealed the puncture. The extra compound is then cut off with a blade.
Now, it may sound dangerous or bad for the tyre but tyre manufacturers recommend this for puncture repairs. It seals the tyre from the inside and the outside. A disadvantage of this is that stiff ridges of the repairing compound form on the inside of the tyre which prohibits the use of a tube further. If the tyre has to be tubed, then the inner lining has to be buffed thoroughly.
Plug method
Plug method commonly known as nothing because it isn’t used in Pakistan, uses a plug inserted from the inside of the tyre. It has a head that seals the puncture in the best way possible from the inside as well as on the outside. It then uses a sealant to seal an air gaps that may or may not have formed during the process.
This is the best way recommended by tyre manufacturers as it repairs the tyre perfectly with minimum damage. Unfortunately, we don’t have it in Pakistan, as of yet. Anybody who knows someone who practices the plug method to repair punctures, please feel free to leave a comment below. Your help can revolutionize the way punctures are repaired in Pakistan…………..that’s an overstatement of course but I liked that touch.
