Originally Posted by
datlas
Forgive the posting in C&V, but I am afraid the activity of patching a butyl tube is most likely considered anachronistic by most modern cyclists.
I have always enjoyed patching tubes. I don't get flats terribly often, maybe 4 per year. I typically save up punctured tubes and "batch patch" them in the winter. HOWEVER I have noticed a big change in the past few years, and I wanted to know if others noticed this too or if any ideas/suggestions.
Up until about 5 years ago, I had a "success" rate of patching of about 9/10, in other words nearly every patch worked fine. Sure, 10% would not adhere right or just not work, but 9/10 is fine and that was consistent year after year. Now it's the reverse. Nearly every patch fails. It seems the patches are not sticking well at the edge/margin of the patch. It's infuriating. I am using the SAME brand patches and vulcanizing fluid (Rema Tip Top) and the SAME technique. I am even using a stupid tool I bought to try to press the patch to the tube with more force (figuring with age maybe my finger strength got weaker).
My only guess is something has changed in the butyl they use for tubes or I got a really bad batch of Rema patches (I got a box of 100 of them).
I am close to giving up on patching and just tossing tubes like most people do.
Any comments/suggestions??
Make sure your glue is
completely dry. You can’t wait too long. I’ve forgotten about patch jobs for more than 2 weeks. Still worked.
Make sure you remove the mold release compound completely before apply the vulcanizing fluid.
Use more fluid than you think you need. Don’t starve the adhesion layer. There’s a chemical reaction going on and it needs enough chemicals to make the adhesion work.
Perhaps most importantly, don’t “test” the patch by filling up the tube and stretching the patch just after application. Let the chemistry work for a good long time. Trust your patch job.