Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,831
Likes: 1,809
From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
For patch kits, a known name brand, fresh (thin) glue and making sure that the even coat of glue is COMPLETELY dry before applying the patch are the three major ingredients to a reliable patch.
And don't apply the patch to an inflated (stretched) tube, lest the tube later pull itself away from the patch starting at the hole (I'll spare y'all the physics of why).
I myself always stretch some plastic baggie material over my finger when I apply the glue.
And I try to get the layer down quick and stop spreading it before it becomes at all tacky (this is to get a more uninterrupted layer of glue on the tube).