Or patch the problem areaWhile a tire plug seals the hole from the outside, a patch seals the hole from the inside. It's a more complex procedure, and for a thorough fix, you can combine both methods. After removing the lug nuts and wheel, take out the valve stem core and separate the rim from the tire using a lug wrench or tire iron. Find the hole. Ream the hole gently from both inside and outside with a low-speed drill and a carbide cutter with a speed of about 200 RPM. Then, apply some rubber cleaner fluid and scrape away the rubber particles on the inside with a scraper or buffer. But be careful not to shred the tire thin.If you opt for a plug/patch combo, follow the plug repair steps first. Repeat the cleaning and scraping procedure. Then, you can go ahead and patch the tire. Start by placing the sealed patch on the problem area and mark an outline on the tire's inner lining.Apply vulcanizing cement to the marked area and allow it to dry until tacky. Don't try to use an air compressor to quicken the process. Next, carefully remove the polyback from the patch and place it on the marked area. Then, make sure there's proper bonding with the tire's inner side using a stitcher or roller. Remove the top cover film from the patch and paint over it with repair sealant. Allow it to dry completely.
