Bicycle Mechanics - Patching a tube with old tube?

Hi all,
I've heard once before I started tuning my bike, that you can patch your tube with older tubes. Do you just use vulcanizing fluid and cut out a small patch of your other tube (following typical patching procedure) and that's it?

If so, where can I get vulcanizing fluid? And is that the same as just normal rubber cement in a craft shop?

Thanks!!

It's true, but pre-made patches do a much better job. You just use the regular rubber glue that comes with any patch kit. The "patch" needs to be sanded to expose fresh rubber first before putting the glue on, and like with "bought" patches you have to let it dry first before sticking the patch on.

This is the standard way that many truck and car tires are patched in the poor parts of the world.

Oh yeah, I have a patch kit, which I use. This is more of a question for my curiosity than anything. Thanks!

It's true, but pre-made patches do a much better job. You just use the regular rubber glue that comes with any patch kit. The "patch" needs to be sanded to expose fresh rubber first before putting the glue on, and like with "bought" patches you have to let it dry first before sticking the patch on.

This is the standard way that many truck and car tires are patched in the poor parts of the world.

+1 I too am always willing to try new ideas. I tried using an old tube for repairing, but the old tubes aren't nearly as strong as a patch and the patches are WAY more convenient. Considering that patches are so cheap, don't even mess with using an old tube.

I'm considering other patching methods because so far out of my 4 patch jobs, only 1 has lasted. I just patched one yesterday that lasted me all day, though I just checked now it's completely flat. I left it alone over night lastnight. It was fine this morning for my commute. After I came back home it was till fine till dinner time. Now it's flat... it seems spontaneous. Has this ever happen to you?

Tough to use old tubes a patches because you end up having to sand and scuff up TWO surfaces rather than just one. The old tube, especially when cut to patch sizes, is impossible to sand off the surface skin cleanly.

Tough to use old tubes a patches because you end up having to sand and scuff up TWO surfaces rather than just one. The old tube, especially when cut to patch sizes, is impossible to sand off the surface skin cleanly.

Sand THEN cut out out the "patch" from the old tube

I get patches for 8 cents a piece so I stick to those

Tough to use old tubes a patches because you end up having to sand and scuff up TWO surfaces rather than just one. The old tube, especially when cut to patch sizes, is impossible to sand off the surface skin cleanly.

Or uh, you could just sand it before cutting it up into pieces. Good use for an old tube but totally not worth the time for me to do this.

Not really related to the thread but thought it wasn't really worth starting a new thread. In the patch kit that I've got, it has a small length of rubber tubing about 2cm in length. What on earth is it for?

Good use for an old tube but totally not worth the time for me to do this.

+1.

I used to do it this way: Clean old tube with rubbing alcohol, slightly scuff, cut into patches, apply with rubber cement, clamp until dry/set. Worked fine, but was labor-intensive.

Considering that when you buy in bulk you can get tubes for less than $3.00 apiece, patching is a royal PITA.

Bob

Not really related to the thread but thought it wasn't really worth starting a new thread. In the patch kit that I've got, it has a small length of rubber tubing about 2cm in length. What on earth is it for?
How old is the kit? I believe the short tubing section was intended to repair an obsolete type of tube valve called, IIRC, a Woods Valve.

How old is the kit? I believe the short tubing section was intended to repair an obsolete type of tube valve called, IIRC, a Woods Valve.

Well a kit that I've had for ages 10+year has one and one that I recently got from PBK has one too.

You can see the rubber tubing in the picture below
http://www.evanscycles.com/product_images/N408.jpg

I'm considering other patching methods because so far out of my 4 patch jobs, only 1 has lasted.


Using an old tube will probably yield poorer results, not better. As others have mentioned, make sure you roughen the surface first. DO NOT use the metal scratch devices provided with some patch kits. Use a medium sandpaper instead. Roughen an area that is 50% bigger than the patch. When done, use the edge of the sandpaper (not your fingers) to brush off the sanding debris. Apply the glue and allow it to skim over slightly so it's not completely wet. Peel the protective coating from the glue side of the patch carefully so as to not tear or damage the edges of the patch and don't touch the glue portion of course. If there is a protective top covering use that to hold the patch. Apply it and press down all over. If there is a top clear covering remove it from the center out so you don't lift the edge of the patch.

Always keep a spare tube handy so that you don't have to patch in very dusty or wet conditions (including very high humidity) as either can greatly increase patch failure.

Well a kit that I've had for ages 10+year has one and one that I recently got from PBK has one too.

You can see the rubber tubing in the picture below
http://www.evanscycles.com/product_images/N408.jpg

There may still be some areas of the world where the Woods valve is still used, that is probably the reason for the tubing.

Cheers for the replies, sorry to hijack the thread :) That is indeed what it is for, quote from Sheldon Brown's website.


If the rubber tubing it old and perished, the valve won't work. Some patch kits include short lengths of replacement rubber tubing for this purpose.

I did it ALL the time when I was a kid. Had a tube of rubber cement or something, and just kept one old tube. Never had a problem with a little scuffing. Then again, it was going in a 20in BMX bike with big knobbies... probably wouldn't bother with my roadie, and now that I have money and transportation. As a kid... it never failed though.

I ride a local MUP Rail Trail as a Trail Watch Volunteer. I carry spare tubes for common tires and will give them to people where there tube is too far gone to patch. I can't afford to give everyone a new tube however! I was going broke using store bought patches as well and started making my own patches from old tubes. The way I do it is to use old inner tubes with good rubber. I sand the inner surface of the tube and clean with alcohol. I then apply a thin coat of rubber cement and allow it to get tacky. Next thing to do is apply wax paper to the surface of the rubber cement. The patch is now ready to use. I normally make these patches the width of the tube used and about a foot long and roll it up and use a rubber band to keep it from unrolling. When I need a patch I just use scissors to cut a patch of the required size. I prep the tube needing to be patched as would be required when using regular patches. Prepping the homemade patch requires simply pealing off the wax paper the same as you would pull off the protective covering off a store bought patch. Apply another coat of rubber cement and apply just as you would a store bought patch. I also have patches with Shrader and Presta valves. If the salvaged tube has a good valve of either type I will cut it 4 inches long with the valve centered and cut it lengthwise opposite the valve. I will prep the Valve Patch with rubber cement and wax paper. When applying a Valve Patch I will cut around the damaged valve removing it, prep the tube so the entire patch can be applied, center the Valve Patch over the hole where the old valve was and apply the Valve Patch. I've given away many of these tubes with a Valve Patch applied and they got the riders home.

I ride a local MUP Rail Trail as a Trail Watch Volunteer. I carry spare tubes for common tires and will give them to people where there tube is too far gone to patch. I can't afford to give everyone a new tube however! I was going broke using store bought patches as well and started making my own patches from old tubes. The way I do it is to use old inner tubes with good rubber. I sand the inner surface of the tube and clean with alcohol. I then apply a thin coat of rubber cement and allow it to get tacky. Next thing to do is apply wax paper to the surface of the rubber cement. The patch is now ready to use. I normally make these patches the width of the tube used and about a foot long and roll it up and use a rubber band to keep it from unrolling. When I need a patch I just use scissors to cut a patch of the required size. I prep the tube needing to be patched as would be required when using regular patches. Prepping the homemade patch requires simply pealing off the wax paper the same as you would pull off the protective covering off a store bought patch. Apply another coat of rubber cement and apply just as you would a store bought patch. I also have patches with Shrader and Presta valves. If the salvaged tube has a good valve of either type I will cut it 4 inches long with the valve centered and cut it lengthwise opposite the valve. I will prep the Valve Patch with rubber cement and wax paper. When applying a Valve Patch I will cut around the damaged valve removing it, prep the tube so the entire patch can be applied, center the Valve Patch over the hole where the old valve was and apply the Valve Patch. I've given away many of these tubes with a Valve Patch applied and they got the riders home.

:eek: