I don't know why, I had recently started having major problems patching tubes myself but have no recollection of such problems years ago. Always was able to get it right the first time.
I searched through the old threads here (plenty to go through) and found one,
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-rubber-cement, in which Slime Rubber Cement, found at Auto Zone among other places, was recommended.
I gave this a try and found that it worked better with the Rema patches than the glue that came with the patches.
Can there be something different about the tire tubes being manufactured today compared to those of years past?
Maybe the mold release is now embedded deeper into the surface of the tubes than in the past?
I can't figure it out.