How to Patch an Inner Tube
Bicycle tires are meant to last and withstand the strains of rough riding, although they can be punctured, worn, or damaged. It can be quite expensive to replace the inner tubes of a bicycle tire, but you can save a few dollars and a lot of time by repairing them with a patch job. Here are the tools and steps you need to repair a damaged bicycle tire inner tube:
Materials
To repair an inner tube, you need the following tools and materials:
Rubber or polymer patches
Rubber cement
Fine-grade sandpaper
Hand pump
Most inner tube repair kits can be bought from hardware stores or bicycle supply shops.
Steps
To repair the inner tube of a bicycle tire, follow these steps:
Remove the tire from the wheel, and remove the inner tube.
Pump air into the tube using the hand pump.
Once inflated, soak the tire in water to locate the puncture.
With fine-grade sandpaper, prepare the punctured section of the inner tube. The surfaces near the punctured portion should be roughened enough for the rubber cement to maintain contact with the tube’s surface. For serious punctures, you may need to trim some of the rugged edges.
Apply a small amount of rubber cement on the roughened surfaces of the inner tube.
Most brands and types of rubber cement will only have adhesive properties when they are allowed to set for a half a minute. Once you have applied the rubber cement on the tire, allow it to form a cloudy haze before setting the patch.
Apply the patch on the adhesive and allow it to dry. You may need to weigh down or clamp the patch to the tube to ensure maximum adhesion.
If you applied too much rubber cement, you may need to scrape off some of the dried cement that built up around the patch.
Test the inner tube for leaks.
Remember that a patched inner tube will not work as well as a new one. Once you have patched an inner tube, it’s very important to have it replaced as soon as possible.