Hi Guys, I've been thinking that until i started reading this site, i hadn't ever hear of sticky string with regards to a puncture repair. I thought that the tyre had to come off the rim, and sealed from the inside, da !!!!
So i no this is going to sound really stupid, but i've been and ordered a complete repair kit of ebay, which has sticky string, 2 tools, 1 like a drill, and 1 like a big needle, cement, and 10 x 6mm sticky strings. I have also seen 4mm SS, its probaly worth having that size as well ?
So is it that when you insert the SS into the needle, are you trying to just fill the hole with just 1 length of the string, our are you trying to doubling it up, depends on the hole size i surpose, and have 2 sticking thou the tread. ? How strong is this SS, can you apply a fair amount of force, trying to get it threw the tyre tread ?
Thanks everybody.
Short primer for sticky string repairs. You discover a flat. Mates all left you, so you can't get one of them to help.
1. Get safely off the road.
2. Center stand the bike if its the rear tyre. If front tyre, move bike bit by bit, then search for puncture or debris in tyre.
3. get kit out and ready to use, including compressor.
4. Thread a sticky string thru the eye of the insertion tool to the mid point. Equal length on both sides.
Now, AIR UP THE TYRE! I know, sounds daft, but it is much easier to do the work with the tyre under pressure than with the tyre flat.
5. Remove the offending screw/nail/debris from the tyre and insert the reamer tool. This is the one like a drill. You will usually need to use a bit of force to get this into the tyre. Keep at it, working back and forth until you can reasonably easily move it in and out. This does several things; Cleans the hole, makes is large enough to get the insertion tool in, makes the hole uniform which helps get a good seal/bond with the sticky string/worm.
When you're happy with the reaming of the hole, leave the tool in the tyre and air up the tire again, if it's lost too much during the process. You want the tyre to resist your push, not just fold in when you push.
6. Optional - Add a dab of rubber cement/vulcanizing cement/tyre glue to the folded over tip of the sticky string and insertion tool. This acts a bit as a lubricant and also helps seal tiny imperfections in the hole.
7. Remove the reamer tool and push the insertion tool with the sticky string into the tyre so that approx half of the length is inside the tyre. A little more is fine, a little less is not. Now, remove the insertion tool by twisting 1/4 to 1/2 a turn as you pull the tool back out. The sticky string will knot up on the inside and stay in the tyre and the tool will come out w/o the string on it. If it all comes out, stick it back in!
If need be, get another sticky string threaded thru the eye of the tool and repeat for larger holes. If you didn't have to work to get the reamer tool in the first time, the hole is likely large enough that you will need two strings. Try to hold the first one in place with a finger while you insert the second one so the first is not pushed inside the tyre or pulled back out when you remove the insertion tool on the second string.
8. Listen/look for leaking air. If it seems good, air up the tyre to normal pressure and tidy up your kit. Check the tyre pressure again to see if you've had any serious leakage while doing the tidy. If not, trim the excess string off leaving approx. 1/4" (6mm) using a sharp blade or razor. Some keep a single sided razor blade in their tyre repair kit for this, others use the handy pocket knife.
When you start riding the heat from the tire will help vulcanize the sticky string in the hole and it will become a homogeneous repair.
Just as a tip, should you later notice the repair leaking, the easiest way to re-repair is to drill a hole where it's leaking and insert a new sticky string. It's quite difficult to remove a vulcanized sticky string. Best done in the comfort of your garage.
This is not the only or best ever way, just how I do the task. Others may have good/better methods as well.
Edit - Next time you need a fresh tyre, PRACTICE THIS REPAIR! Puncture the tyre with an awl, or drill a hole and do a sticky string repair. Much easier to learn the process in a comfortable area at home than on the side of the A64 in the rain.
Also - Make sure you have a good power supply for your compressor. The factory cigg plug is only rated for 3 amps and will just blow the fuse. A fused power connection for a maintenance charger or heated gear works well. Just make sure to have the correct adaptors or plugs so the charger fits to the bike power.