Using a lighter to fix a flat
#1
Just Ride.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 54
Bikes: Cannondale F600 Custom build
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Using a lighter to fix a flat
I read a great tip in a magazine about fixing flat tyres. Instead of waiting ages for the glue to set, set fire to it for a couple of seconds and it becomes tacky so much faster. Becareful though, because the glue is surprisingly flamable. I try'd it the other day and it does work well.
#2
Footballus vita est
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,118
Bikes: Trek 4500, Kona Dawg
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
What about patching old school?
We still have an old heat patch kit (but I think we're out of the patches). This will probably be hard to visualize unless you've seen it, but it's basically a C-clamp with a die as one of the pads(available in triange, round, or square and are interchangeable). The rubber patch is attached to a piece of cork-wood about 1/4 inch thick and the same shape as the patch. This is pressed into the die. You smooth out and clean the area to be patched, then clamp the patch kit on. Then you light the cork on fire and let it burn. It will burn for just long enough to fuse the patch and the tire cleanly, and it's a lot cooler if you're a pyrophillic like me. I never had a patch fail.
This particular kit isn't something you'd take out riding, although it could definitely be made small enough if Park or Topeak or someone thought it would sell. It's still quicker, however to user a regular glue patch, but not as cool
We still have an old heat patch kit (but I think we're out of the patches). This will probably be hard to visualize unless you've seen it, but it's basically a C-clamp with a die as one of the pads(available in triange, round, or square and are interchangeable). The rubber patch is attached to a piece of cork-wood about 1/4 inch thick and the same shape as the patch. This is pressed into the die. You smooth out and clean the area to be patched, then clamp the patch kit on. Then you light the cork on fire and let it burn. It will burn for just long enough to fuse the patch and the tire cleanly, and it's a lot cooler if you're a pyrophillic like me. I never had a patch fail.
This particular kit isn't something you'd take out riding, although it could definitely be made small enough if Park or Topeak or someone thought it would sell. It's still quicker, however to user a regular glue patch, but not as cool
__________________
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 1,717
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
why? glueless patches are faster on the road and regular glue patches work fine- I never felt the 2 minutes it takes glue to dry was out of reason.
#4
0^0
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Rolla, MO
Posts: 4,056
Bikes: Redline Monocog,Surly Crosscheck, Lemond Reno
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Glueless patches take like 10 seconds, and I don't usually carry a lighter with me..
__________________
Booyah!!
Booyah!!
#5
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I once saw a show on Discovery where some explorers in the arctic used a spraycan of flammable liquid and a lighter to quickly seat a tyre onto a rim. The heat causes the air to expand so quickly and evenly that the tyre seats itself perfectly onto the rim. These are huge 200lbs offroad tyres we're talking about.
As for me, I'll stick to a patchkit or simply carrying around a spare tube. I have glueless patches but for some reason I'm shy about using them. Perhaps it's because I always end up having to tear off at least two pieces of saran-wrap when I go to put leftovers into the fridge. The first try always ends up in a wadded ball. I fear that with glueless patches, I'd have at least half of my fingers tipped with nice airtight seals. On the upside, at least I won't have to worry about finding band-aids. For some reason I seem to have no fumbling problems with traditional glue patching.
As for me, I'll stick to a patchkit or simply carrying around a spare tube. I have glueless patches but for some reason I'm shy about using them. Perhaps it's because I always end up having to tear off at least two pieces of saran-wrap when I go to put leftovers into the fridge. The first try always ends up in a wadded ball. I fear that with glueless patches, I'd have at least half of my fingers tipped with nice airtight seals. On the upside, at least I won't have to worry about finding band-aids. For some reason I seem to have no fumbling problems with traditional glue patching.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#6
I am a lonely visitor
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Where even Richard Nixon has got soul
Posts: 2,630
Bikes: Michelle Pfieffer, the Carbon Fiber Wonder Bike: A Kestrel 200 SCI Repainted in glorious mango; Old Paintless, A Litespeed Obed; The Bike With No Name: A Bianchi Eros; RegularBike: A Parkpre Comp Ltd rebuilt as a singlespeed.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Oh man! Why did I ever quit smoking?
__________________
Religion is a good thing for good people and a bad thing for bad people. --H. Richard Niebuhr
Religion is a good thing for good people and a bad thing for bad people. --H. Richard Niebuhr
#8
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: upstate New York
Posts: 1,688
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I used to know of a place that did hot patches on tubeless tyres as well as tubes (mostly big tubes for construction equipment). Never had one of those patches fail, either. I have occasionally done a similar thing with common glue patches, using a small propane pencil torch and a clamp-seems to work well, but I wouldn't try this on any lightweight tubes.
__________________
Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!
Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!
#9
Footballus vita est
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,118
Bikes: Trek 4500, Kona Dawg
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
In retrospect, the hot patch idea was really cool, at the time I thought nothing of it because I was pretty young and hadn't seen glue patches, so this was the only way I knew of to patch tires. It's true though, it wouldn't be a good idea to use it on a road tire, it might cause damage around the patch area.
I'm kinda curious if anyone else has seen these hot patch kits around lately. It's a neat little novelty.
I'm kinda curious if anyone else has seen these hot patch kits around lately. It's a neat little novelty.
__________________
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 107
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by Raiyn
Buncha pyros! All of ya!
Buncha pyros! All of ya!
#11
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally posted by jump
You know what's even cooler?
You know what's even cooler?
jump, as I read your post while looking at your icon, I can just imagine StrongBad himself saying it and it makes me laugh. |8^)
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Colorado Springs, CO.
Posts: 83
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have never seen anyone else use the same method I use to patch tubes in the shop. After abrading the spot to be patched with sandpaper, I clean the area with lighter fluid (naptha) and then apply the cement after the solvent evaporates. According to my father, who showed me this when I was a kid, all patch repairs were done this way back when all tires had tubes. I can't swear the solvent is absolutley necessary, as I obviously don't carry lighter fluid on the bike with me, but it does seem to act like a flux. Works well with the self vulcanizing patches I like to use.
#13
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: New England
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was touring with friends this weekend and one friend was on his last patched tube when the patch failed. We had plenty glue patches, but could not get them to take. We suspect the humidity was effecting them. One of the crew finally tried a trick from his childhood and touched a lighter flame to the glue for a second or two. After an hour of failed attempts to repatch the tube using the instructions in the kit, this method worked. Our companion was able to make it home on that patched tube, 45+ miles.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
I can remember seeing that done in my fathers lawnmower shop when I was a child.
#15
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 942 Times
in
504 Posts
My Father showed me the patch with fire method 45-50 years ago. I've often wondered if anyone does that any more. I don't.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 644 Times
in
365 Posts
I was touring with friends this weekend and one friend was on his last patched tube when the patch failed. We had plenty glue patches, but could not get them to take. We suspect the humidity was effecting them. One of the crew finally tried a trick from his childhood and touched a lighter flame to the glue for a second or two. After an hour of failed attempts to repatch the tube using the instructions in the kit, this method worked. Our companion was able to make it home on that patched tube, 45+ miles.
In the interest of full disclosure, I always carry a spare inner tube because I prefer to patch at home rather than on the road. I follow the instructions on the patch kit box including waiting the full 5 minuted for the glue to set. The only thing that I do special is to clamp the patch after gluing it on.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#17
Senior Member
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
At about 12 years the thread isn't old enough. Go back a good bit farther and we used to light the glue because it was vulcanizing fluid (not glue) and it needed the heat. Nowadays it vulcanizes at room temperature.
It may help with regular glue (I don't want to try that personally) but that's not what the old time patches were about.
It may help with regular glue (I don't want to try that personally) but that's not what the old time patches were about.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In The Middle Of "Out There" / Downtown "Lost Angels"
Posts: 259
Bikes: 2001 Trek 520 - Hvy Hauler, Epic Adventure Bike / 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 - Sporty Quick Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
MMMMMMMM,
Fire, Pretty.
Pretty, Pretty, Fire.
Fire, Pretty.
Pretty, Pretty, Fire.
#20
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Would zapping with a taser help a patch stay put better????
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 4,094
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I came into this thread expecting people to be melting the rubber back together around a hole.
Leaving disappointed.
Leaving disappointed.
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southeast Alaska
Posts: 11
Bikes: Trek 930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Years ago when I was in the business of tire repair, We used a flammable tire/tube cement.
After preparation of the surface, the cement was applied and lit on fire just long enough to burn off the lighter elements and heat up the surface, it did speed up the patching process, left too long, it could burn the cement and you didn't want that.
It was a method that worked very well once you got the hang of it.
Then, I suppose, somewhere, someone burned the garage to the ground and the cement was replaced with a nonflammable product, in the name of safety, of course.
Now I must wait an extra few minutes before applying the patch, I know, we're only talking about three or four minutes but they are my minutes and could be used for other important activities, such as reading this blog.
I am waiting for the industry to develop and introduce a nonflammable starting fluid, in the name of safety, of course.
After preparation of the surface, the cement was applied and lit on fire just long enough to burn off the lighter elements and heat up the surface, it did speed up the patching process, left too long, it could burn the cement and you didn't want that.
It was a method that worked very well once you got the hang of it.
Then, I suppose, somewhere, someone burned the garage to the ground and the cement was replaced with a nonflammable product, in the name of safety, of course.
Now I must wait an extra few minutes before applying the patch, I know, we're only talking about three or four minutes but they are my minutes and could be used for other important activities, such as reading this blog.
I am waiting for the industry to develop and introduce a nonflammable starting fluid, in the name of safety, of course.
#23
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,196 Times
in
1,480 Posts
12 years isn't a record but close