Originally Posted by
cyccommute
I agree that you only need a thin coat of vulcanizing fluid, however a thick coat just requires a much longer drying time. It will still bond if it is totally dry but getting to that point may take a very long time. If you have the glue dripping down the sides of the tube, you've put on enough glue for a box of 100 TipTop patches
There's another reason that the TipTop patches won't bond to the inside of the tire. The Rema system is a 2 part system. The vulcanizing fluid contains one part of the bonding agent and the patch is coated with another part. Once in contact, the patch and the vulcanizing fluid start the process of grafting new rubber bonds onto the tube. The tire doesn't contain the part of the system that the patch does and, thus, won't form the same molecular bonding. The vulcanizing fluid may 'stick' to the inside of the tire but it's a weak bond.
Great scientific stuff explained in simple terms so we can understand it, thanks Cyccommute!!
Probably why I saw people who used too much glue for a patch have a failed patch was probably due to them not waiting long enough for the glue to dry rather then interfering with the bonding process like I said, but maybe that's the same thing, but regardless, you explained it very well so we could understand it. You have been very knowledgeable and helpful on this subject. Two thumbs up!!