Tube Patchcing question

mskaufman84 said:

I recently patched a tube, and yet it still seems to be losing air. I put it in the tub and see that air is ever so slowly leaking out from under the patch i have placed. Is this tube shot, or can i put a patch covering part of the patch that is allready there?

You can patch over the patch.

You can patch over a patch, but with tubes less than $5.00, why would you want to, unless its your lucky tube. But then, if you got a flat in it, it really isn't your lucky tube, is it?

kdelong said:

You can patch over a patch, but with tubes less than $5.00, why would you want to, unless its your lucky tube. But then, if you got a flat in it, it really isn't your lucky tube, is it?

Because it's a waste to pitch the tube.

alienator said:

You can patch over the patch.

I have been less than totally successful doing that. The smooth outside of the existing patch doesn't seem to stick as well as the regular tube surface. I typically rip the patch off and repatch. It takes a little effort to sand the last pieces of the orange patch perimeter off the tube.

If a patch leaks then you either F'ed up when patching or you left something in the tire that caused the original puncture. It's time for a do-over.

As for throwing tubes away, I gotta agree with the idea that it's a waste. The easy thing to do is replace the tube with your spare, keep the punctured tube, and add it to a collection of punctured tubes at home. Then when you get some free time, patch a bunch of tubes while watching TV.

Or use them to make slingshots, gaskets, or whenever you need a thin piece of rubber for something.

kdelong said:

Or use them to make .. gaskets, or whenever you need a thin piece of rubber for something.

I don't do that anymore, at least not in an automotive setting. Used a length to weather-proof a section of customized wiring harness I added to my car and the tube simply disintegrated within months. They make decent handle covers for brooms, rakes, hoes and similar long-handled tools though.

alienator said:

You can patch over the patch.

Yeah, right. If you weren't able to get a patch to seal adequately the first time what makes you think that you're going to get a seal over the step at the edge of the original patch?

Retro Grouch said:

Yeah, right. If you weren't able to get a patch to seal adequately the first time what makes you think that you're going to get a seal over the step at the edge of the original patch?

Well, having punctured a patched tube before, right next to a patch, I know that it's entirely possible to apply a patch that partially covers another patch. I did it, with no special tricks required.

A lot of things can be repaired with only a modicum of effort.

mskaufman84 said:

I recently patched a tube, and yet it still seems to be losing air. I put it in the tub and see that air is ever so slowly leaking out from under the patch i have placed. Is this tube shot, or can i put a patch covering part of the patch that is allready there?

you say you put the tube back in and you see it leaking out from under the patch? have you inflated and put the tube under water to see where bubbles/leaks comming from? there may be a chance it's another hole on the other side of the tube - a pinch flat?

If it is leaking from the same spot as mentioned try rip off the old patch and repatch correctly. If you are using adhesive make sure it is not expired and allow the right amount of time to bond.

mskaufman84 said:

I recently patched a tube, and yet it still seems to be losing air. ......

How big is the hole? They don't really work long-term on 'gashes'

It sounds like you didn't do it properly, but if the hole is very big, a normal patch won't be strong enough, so it might be best to chuck it

I once had a tube with 9 patches on it :p Hoorah for me!! 😄