How To Patch A Tire (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Patch a Tire PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Howard Fleischmann

Last Updated: December 18, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Finding the Leak
    • |
  • Removing the Tire
    • |
  • Patching the Tire
    • |
  • Reinstalling the Tire
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Howard Fleischmann. Howard Fleischmann is an Automotive Tire and Repair Specialist and the CEO of Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, with ten locations throughout Phoenix, Glendale, Yuma, and Casa Grande, Arizona. Howard specializes in full-service auto repair and tire replacement and care for domestic/imported vehicles and large trucks. Howard’s dedication to Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair has earned their team multiple awards and features including the 2021 Phoenix Magazine AZ State 48 “Best of the Best!”, the 2020 “Best of Phoenix” in Auto Repair, the 2013 Master SBD award, the 2013 National “Top Shop” award by Tire Review, the 2012 Diversity Champions Phx Business Journal, the 2009 BBB Ethics award, the 2008 Phx Chamber of Commerce Impact Award -” Small Business of the Year”, and the 2008 ASU Spirit of Enterprise award. Howard is often referred to as “The Car Guy” for local TV stations and is a regular on TV’s Channel 3 Sunday, Good Morning Arizona monthly. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 396,060 times.

Have you ever had a nail, screw or other sharp object puncture your vehicle's tire? If so, you know it is a major inconvenience since having a tire shop repair or replace it is quite expensive. Luckily, if the tire is in otherwise good condition, you might be able to patch the leak yourself.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 4:

Finding the Leak

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  1. Step 1 Inflate the tire. 1 Inflate the tire. In order to find a leak the tire must be properly pressurized. You should inflate your tire with air until it reaches the appropriate pressure (measured in psi) specified in your vehicle’s service manual.
  2. Step 2 Visually inspect the tire. 2 Visually inspect the tire. Before moving on to more time consuming techniques, you should take a moment to look at your tire. If you notice any holes, cuts, or objects protruding from tire then you have found your leak. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Listen for a hissing sound. 3 Listen for a hissing sound. Even if you aren't able to see the problem right away you might be able to hear it. A hissing sound is a clear sign that air is leaking from your tire, and can help you locate the leak.
  4. Step 4 Feel around the tire for air. 4 Feel around the tire for air. If you run your hands over the tire carefully you may feel the leak even if you can't hear or see it.
  5. Step 5 Mix soap and water. 5 Mix soap and water. If you followed the steps above and you were not able to easily find the leak don’t fear. Spraying the tire with a little soapy water or window cleaner may help. If you see bubbling at any place on the surface of the tire then you have found your leak.[1] [2]
  6. Step 6 Cover the tire with the soap and water solution. 6 Cover the tire with the soap and water solution. You can use a spray bottle to spray the tire, or if a spray bottle isn’t available you can just pour the mixture over the tire.[3]
  7. Step 7 Watch for bubbles. 7 Watch for bubbles. As air escapes the tire and encounters the soapy water mixture it will form soap bubbles. If you notice the soapy water bubbling at any particular place on the tire, you have found your leak.[4]
    8. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 4:

Removing the Tire

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  1. Step 1 Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench (tire iron) or impact wrench. 1 Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench (tire iron) or impact wrench. It is important to remember to loosen, or break, the lug nuts before you jack up the vehicle. This way the weight of the vehicle is still on the wheels and it prevents them from spinning dangerously while you turn the lugs.
  2. Step 2 Jack up the car. 2 Jack up the car. Once the lugs have been loosened, it will be necessary to jack the care up so that the wheels can be removed. As mentioned above, this should be done on level concrete or some other hard, level surface. Some important things to remember when jacking up the care are:
    • Your service manual will recommend jacking points
    • The most common way to elevate the car is a floor jack, or trolley jack. If you are unsure how to use one visit Lift a Car Using a Trolley Jack.
    • You should use jack stands to stabilize the car. A good tutorial on jack stands can be found at Use Jack Stands.
    • If you have access to a hydraulic lift it will save you time.
  3. Step 3 Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off of the hub. 3 Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off of the hub. At this point, the lugs may be loose enough to remove by hand. If not, finish removing the lugs with the lug wrench or impact wrench. Once the lugs are removed, pull the wheel off of the wheelbase. If you are uncomfortable removing a wheel, read about how to Remove Lug Nuts and Tires.
  4. Step 4 Pull out any protruding object with a pair of pliers. 4 Pull out any protruding object with a pair of pliers. Mark this spot with chalk or markers as it is obviously where your leak will be.
    • When there's no protruding item, follow the above steps for locating a leak and then mark it.
  5. Step 5 Remove the valve stem core. 5 Remove the valve stem core. Use a valve stem core remover to remove the valve stem core. This is a special two pronged tool that you use to unscrew the valve stem core from the center of the valve stem and pull it out. This releases the tire pressure so that you can break the bead.
  6. Step 6 Break the bead between the tire and rim. 6 Break the bead between the tire and rim. To remove the tire, use a tire spoon and a hammer to break the bead that seals the tire and rim. You will need to do this on both sides of the tire to completely remove it from the rim.
  7. Step 7 Seat one side of the tire into the groove on the rim. 7 Seat one side of the tire into the groove on the rim. There is a groove on the rim that is made to hold one side of the tire so that you can remove the other side. Once you get one side of the tire into this groove you can use the spoons to pry the other side of the tire off of the rim. Then work the spoons all the way around the tire until you have taken the first side of the tire completely off of the rim.
  8. Step 8 Remove the rim from the opposite side of the tire. 8 Remove the rim from the opposite side of the tire. Now that one side is completely removed from the rim, flip your tire over and use the spoons to pry the opposite side off of the rim as well. Now your tire will be completely separated from the rim.
    9. Advertisement
Part 3 Part 3 of 4:

Patching the Tire

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  1. Step 1 Use your air die grinder to clean out the hole. 1 Use your air die grinder to clean out the hole. Select a pointy bit that will fit into the hole where the leak is.[5] This will roughen up the sides and clean the area so that the patch will bond correctly when installed.
  2. Step 2 Change the bit on the die grinder to a grinding stone bit. 2 Change the bit on the die grinder to a grinding stone bit. Spray a "Pre-Buff Cleaner" on the inside of the tire where the patch will be installed. Use the grinding stone to clean and roughen up the area around the hole (about two inches in diameter around the hole). This will give the patch a clean surface to make bond with the tire.
  3. Step 3 Spray compressed air to the area. 3 Spray compressed air to the area. This will remove any dirt or debris created by the buffing process. It is important to have a clean surface for the patch to bond to.
  4. Step 4 Apply vulcanizing cement to the buffed inner surface of the tire. 4 Apply vulcanizing cement to the buffed inner surface of the tire. This will prevent water from entering the hole and moving its way into the tire’s tread. Let stand until the cement is "tacky" to touch.
  5. Step 5 Remove the plastic that is on the sticky side of the tire patch. 5 Remove the plastic that is on the sticky side of the tire patch. This is the side that will contact the inside of your tire.
  6. Step 6 Push the pointy part of the patch through the hole. 6 Push the pointy part of the patch through the hole. The pointy part should enter the hole from the inside of the tire and be pushed out through the outside.[6] Use a pair of pliers to grip the pointy side of the patch. Pull this pointy part of the patch out from the tire's tread. This pulls the sticky part of the patch tightly to the inner side of the tire.
  7. Step 7 Use a roller on the inner side of the tire patch. 7 Use a roller on the inner side of the tire patch. This will remove any air bubbles in between the sticky side of the patch and the buffed surface. The patch is now sealed properly onto the tire.
  8. Step 8 Use rubber patch sealant on the inner side of the tire. 8 Use rubber patch sealant on the inner side of the tire. You should cover the whole patch and some of the tire. This makes sure that there will be absolutely no leaks![7]
  9. Step 9 Let it dry. 9 Let it dry. It should only take a couple of minutes. While you are waiting, use a pair of side cutters (or scissors) and cut the stem of the patch to be flush with the top of your tread.
    10. Advertisement
Part 4 Part 4 of 4:

Reinstalling the Tire

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  1. Step 1 Lubricate the bead. 1 Lubricate the bead. Go around bead of the tire (the inner ring that seals to the rim) and lubricate it with dish soap.
  2. Step 2 Slide the tire back over the rim. 2 Slide the tire back over the rim. Use the tire spoons to pry one side of the tire open and slide it back onto the rim. Once you have the first side on, repeat the same procedure for the second side.
  3. Step 3 Put in a new valve stem core. 3 Put in a new valve stem core. It is best practice not to reuse the valve stem core and to simply replace it anytime it is taken out.
  4. Step 4 Pressurize the tire. 4 Pressurize the tire. Fill the tire up to the correct pressure as specified on the sidewall of the tire or in your owner’s manual. This pressure will force the tire into the correct place on the rim and seal the bead.
  5. Step 5 Re-install the wheel. 5 Re-install the wheel. You should slide the wheel back onto the wheelbase and thread the lug nuts on tight enough to hold wheel in place while the car is still on the jackstands.
  6. Step 6 Remove the jackstands. 6 Remove the jackstands. Use the floor jack to remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground..
  7. Step 7 Tighten the lugs to the specified torque. 7 Tighten the lugs to the specified torque. Once the weight is back on the wheels, use a lug wrench or impact wrench to tighten the lugs to the proper torque specifications in your service manual. Be sure to tighten lugs in a star pattern.
  8. Step 8 Drive your car. 8 Drive your car. As long as the patch was successful, the repair will last as long as your tire is in use.[8] [9]
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How do I repair a tire leak on the sidewall of the tire? Community Answer Community Answer Never repair on the side wall because too much flexing occurs when driving the vehicle. Talk to a professional for help with this repair. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 18
  • Question How do I know when not to use a patch? Community Answer Community Answer Don't use a patch when the tire tread is worn out, and never use one on the side wall. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 19
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

  • If you have access to a tire mounting machine it will save you a lot of time separating and rejoining the tire and rim. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 4
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Do not attempt to patch holes on the sidewall of your tire. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 4
  • This is meant for small holes only. Do not attempt to patch any holes that are long or irregular. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 3
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Things You'll Need

  • Tire Patch
  • Tire Machine
  • Tire bar
  • Valve core remover
  • Die grinder
  • Two die grinder bits
  • Air compressor
  • Pre-buff cleaner
  • Vulcanizing cement
  • Rubber patch sealant
  • Side cutters/scissors
  • Pliers
  • Tire patch roller
  • Lube to put the tire back onto rim

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-TNPIXZix68
  2. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eF4EjdYZ7k
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eF4EjdYZ7k
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eF4EjdYZ7k
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2uGl700SBM
  9. ↑ https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-can-you-drive-on-a-plugged-or-patched-tire

About This Article

Howard Fleischmann Co-authored by: Howard Fleischmann Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist This article was co-authored by Howard Fleischmann. Howard Fleischmann is an Automotive Tire and Repair Specialist and the CEO of Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, with ten locations throughout Phoenix, Glendale, Yuma, and Casa Grande, Arizona. Howard specializes in full-service auto repair and tire replacement and care for domestic/imported vehicles and large trucks. Howard’s dedication to Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair has earned their team multiple awards and features including the 2021 Phoenix Magazine AZ State 48 “Best of the Best!”, the 2020 “Best of Phoenix” in Auto Repair, the 2013 Master SBD award, the 2013 National “Top Shop” award by Tire Review, the 2012 Diversity Champions Phx Business Journal, the 2009 BBB Ethics award, the 2008 Phx Chamber of Commerce Impact Award -” Small Business of the Year”, and the 2008 ASU Spirit of Enterprise award. Howard is often referred to as “The Car Guy” for local TV stations and is a regular on TV’s Channel 3 Sunday, Good Morning Arizona monthly. This article has been viewed 396,060 times. 5 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10 Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 396,060 Categories: Tires and Suspension Article SummaryX

To patch a tire, you’ll need to locate the leak first. To do so, fully inflate the tire and check it for any obvious holes, tears, or imbedded objects. If you’re not having any luck seeing or hearing the leak, rub soapy water on the tire and look for spots where the soap bubbles up or fizzles due to air leaking out. Once you’ve located the leak, remove the tire so you can patch it properly. Loosen the lug nuts with a tire iron, then jack up the car so the wheel is elevated off of the ground. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off the hub. If you notice an object lodged in the tire, such as a nail or a piece of glass, carefully pull it out now with a pair of pliers. Mark the spot with chalk or a marker so you can locate where the hole was. Next, use a valve stem core remover to unscrew the valve stem and pull it out. Pry the tire off the rim using a tire spoon—you’ll need to do this on one side of the tire first, then turn it over and do it again on the other side. Once the tire is off the rim, use an air die grinder with a sharp, pointy bit attached to clean out the hole in the tire. Spray a pre-buff cleaner on the inside of the tire where the hole is, then use a grinding stone bit on your air die grinder to rough up the inner surface where you’ll be putting the patch. Clean away any dust and dirt around the hole with compressed air, then cover the buffed surface inside the tire with a layer of rubber cement. Once the cement has dried enough to be tacky to the touch, remove the backing from a tire patch and place it over the hole on the inside of the tire. The patch should have a pointy stem that you can poke through the hole. Once you’ve done this, use a roller to flatten out the back of the patch on the inside of the tire, then seal the back of the patch with a rubber patch sealant. While it’s drying, clip the pointy stem of the patch off of the outside of the tire with a pair of wire cutters. Reinstall your tire once the patch is completely dry, which should only take a few minutes. To learn how to find the leak on a tire, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Howard Fleischmann Co-authored by: Howard Fleischmann Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist Co-authors: 10 Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 396,060 100% of readers found this article helpful. 5 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Jay

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