Plugging a Tire

Any time your car breaks down on the side of the road, it can be an uneasy situation, but when it’s your classic car, it seems a little worse. Classic cars draw a lot of attention, and the thought of leaving yours on the side of the road adds to the stress. Most flat tires can be repaired simply by putting on the spare; however, many performance cars have different-sized front and rear tires or have unique wheels that are different from the spare.

No one wants to show up at the car show running on the spare, but knowing how to make emergency tire repairs can get you off the road, home, or through your event. Tire plugging is the most common type of emergency repair, and with a plug kit and a small emergency compressor, most repairs can be completed on the side of the road.

Tire plug kits typically include a tire reamer used to clean out and enlarge the tire puncture, a tire plugger used to install the plug into the puncture hole, and a tire plug itself, which is a string of reinforced soft rubber. Some kits will also include tire cement and a small blade to cut off excess plug material. Most kits sell below $10 and are a must-have in your emergency roadside repair kit. Take special note: plugging tires does not work on older tires that have inner tubes.

Join Mark Simpson as he demonstrates the process of removing the source of the puncture, reaming and preparing the puncture hole, inserting the tire plug, and trimming off the excess. Knowing how to make this important repair can help get you off the side of the road and back to enjoying your classic ride.