How to fix a BIKE TUBE with rubber CEMENT! CHEAP!

[@johnbailey520]

👍thanks for the technique... Tubes are getting overpriced!

[@nuggets576]

True bro

[@boracay12]

Well I ( american expat in the philippines) can bring it to the tube repair guy for 60 cents per hole . They melt a patch on with a hot press . But what happened to the rubber patches and rubber cement glue repair kits ?

[@raymondchew8894]

Yes, price of tires and tubes have rocketed ! This is really terrible. The bike shop is not interested in provide tube repair service anymore ! They tell you not worst repair ! It really save $ and reduce wastage.

[@DouglasThompson]

Glad I could help you save some money!!!

[@manFromPeterborough]

Thanks to high oil prices, 20x4 fat bike tubes cost AU$20

[@georgeadams-mb6yd]

Exactly how bicycle flats were fixed when I was a kid. I'm 76 years walking and still riding about. Today my ride is an Ebike. Life is good.

[@DouglasThompson]

Very cool to know the traditional lives on!!!

[@muscleguyphilippines]

that's great to hear

[@dbclark123]

I followed your method but without the plastic bag. I hope it works. Thank you for posting this it was very helpful.

[@gilbertomorales4736]

Using your shirt is part of a good technical process thanks!

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol

[@arvinfarms3976]

Thank you ,u saved my cycle from becoming as a junk

[@DouglasThompson]

:)

[@williamjones7248]

Helpful and articulate - thank you!

[@JnJShiffler]

just for clarification, typically contact cement instructions says to wait 15 minutes before putting both pieces together. To seal a tube air leak how long are you waiting to apply? It didn't seem too long. Have you had problems in the past applying too soon or waiting too long? Another key thing was your tube was inflated. How much inflation? a certain psi or until the tube starts to distort around valve?

[@DouglasThompson]

I typically wait for it to get tacky and start sealing before I put any serious psi in. The tube needs very little pressure to apply the patch when outside the tire. Just enough for it to take shape. I hold the patch on with finger pressure near the hole for about 5 mins before I let it go. In retrospect, I probably could have done a better job of breaking the procedure down but I had a viewer ask how I patched holes so I kinda rushed to make the vid. Lol

[@raywolbrecht4768]

No way I'd put the patch and tube together until that cement dries for 15 min.

[@DouglasThompson]

That's why the plastic bag chunk is in place so it can dry on its own with no worry of the rubber cement sticking to the inside of the tire.

[@fredberger3155]

@@raywolbrecht4768 Agree, the cement should be dry to the touch, then you don't have to worry about pressure or clamping. When it touches each other, good or bad, it's staying together!

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

The tube patching was not new to me, but the way you inspected the tire and used a razor to free up the debris I had never seen like that. That was really helpful. I am getting 2-6 flats a week with the streets I ride on filled with glass and thorns (so much for the city having cleaner streets than the country), so I am desperate to stop spending so much time and money on repairs. I am also going to try the trick of splitting an old tube where the valve stem is removed and then tucking the new tube in it to create a thicker wall of protection. As for all the fussing about the fumes of rubber cement, it was those fumes that made my third grade class a blast. "Oh it's time for art? Will there will be rubber cement too? NICE!"

[@DouglasThompson]

Im glad I could give you some extra tips! You can never have too many! Thank you for checking out a couple of my videos! Hope to see you around the channel!

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@DouglasThompson Your personality is pretty infectious, but you don't do many how to videos and the gun stuff is cool but I live in LA and not Louisianan. Hahahaha. Keep up the good work and thanks for helping me with my bike, I do appreciate it.

[@Dino_Buk]

Thank you very much for sharing your very interesting method with us. I will try it soon. Thank you.

[@DouglasThompson]

You're welcome! It really works great. I have skipped roughing up the surface a couple times and it works but the adhesion isnt as solid. You can also do it without the plastic bag over the patch but you risk the tire boding with the tube and damaging the patch next time you change tires or repair a flat.

[@michaelmorales3384]

Look into Flex Seal liquid rubber .I'm using it for different things like a Coleman Sauna found discarded. It had few leaks and patches very quick.Or Gorilla Contact adhesive. Even this Readers Digest Do It Yourself Manual has a Chart explaining different applications .the Preface is loaded with references. Hope it helps but for an inner tube the larger but for a bike I ask that you know what your free will and knowledge is .good day. From mike Morales somewhere in Colorado .oh yea, I happened to be riding a mountain bike out in the country side you know and on the edges just off the white line it was jagged and I just bit it.i mean went down and my arm was scraped all the way up to my upper arm.No inflation or flat repair.need just that over inflated tires felt very hard and like a baby toddering back and forth , surprise no training wheels for our time period.Im taking this opportunity to remember your time it took to present real VIDEOS.And not Comment Cement Man.weight probably has a factor in how the tire rolls..

[@Luz-rm6jo]

Thank you for sharing

[@tomelliott3872]

Very detailed video. At 1st I thought the video was too long to watch. I was wrong. It needed to be to cover everything. Good job and the SHIRT rag was the best 😁

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol that's how I do! ;)

[@ddahstan6876]

Dang, smooth and Cheap!! 🎉 Could also use your shirt as a patch work when you're on the road 😉.

[@DouglasThompson]

Maybe if you loaded it up with enough glue.

[@riverrich7929]

Nice Video. Thanks for sharing your valuable insights.

[@DouglasThompson]

Thank you for checking it out, I'm glad my little method is helping others.

[@stewartbruce8902]

Very well executed video Doug. Many producers could learn a lot on how to make a successful tutorial by watching your presentation. Some questions for you. Is elmers rubber cement that I use for paper the same like (slime product) for tire repair? 'What are the pros and cons of using contact cement (which I've not used for tire patching) ? Most of my repairs will be for car tubeless tires. Thank you and all the best.

[@DouglasThompson]

I'm not sure this would work for heavier applications such as what you are wanting to do. I wouldn't use any slime stuff for permanent repairs, I picture that more as a temporary thing personally I liked the contact cement I was using in this vid because I had a ton of it around from a bunch of construction projects I was doing for work. After the jobs were done there would be tons left over and instead of throwing them away, I kept all of them so I had a large amount. Unfortunately they dried up but I can still recommend the product. I appreciate the compliment as well, I like to think I have gotten much better at video production over the years but I will take that compliment all day. ;)

[@stewartbruce8902]

@@DouglasThompson Thanks for the speedy and informative reply. I also have plenty of contact cement, and will go with it on next repair.I believe you are ready to teach new students the fundamentals on how to convey knowledge on video production. The best to you from New Rochelle N.Y.

[@lurkerrekrul]

You mention leaving the tube partially inflated to avoid the patch wrinkling. When completely dry, shouldn't the patch be 100% permanent? If not, then the next time you get a flat and need to patch a hole, won't the first patch come loose when the tube deflates? I've only ever patched a tube with a patch kit and once fully cured, that patch was absolutely permanent.

[@DouglasThompson]

You could very well be correct but I felt this eliminates the opportunity for bubbles or creases that might make the bond irregular and possibly weaker in areas.

[@manFromPeterborough]

I apply patch fully deflated

[@spiritualreality4327]

Very helpful, thanks

[@DouglasThompson]

:)

[@dantegerard70]

I've been doing this process for years and before seeing this video. Great instruction and methods! After i apply patches i use a clamp, some tin wood on each side and 0ut it over the patched area with light clamping pressure.

[@samn8309]

Does the cement need to cure a little before applying the patch? If so, how long? I destroyed a new wheelbarrow tube installing it and would rather patch it up over spending 20 bucks on a new one.

[@DouglasThompson]

I just wait a very little bit and it's worked out so far.

[@morrisjam4574]

Nice video, wouldn’t it be better to have the tube totally deflated? The inside air can mess with yur patching

[@DouglasThompson]

I feel it helps with the patch since otherwise your patch will have to stretch too. I guess depending how good the bond is with the adhesive it would work out but as long an you apply pressure while the glue is setting I don't think it's a major issue.

[@hopenavajo1391]

The kind of rubber cement wasn't mentioned in your video. So please mention the rubber cement to be used,either craft or tire rubber cement.

[@DouglasThompson]

Shit...Lol I dont know. Ill try to find the bottle again. I havent seen it in a while. It was a construction type of rubber cement I think.

[@codycouch2467]

At 0:26 near the beginning of the video, he holds the bottle of contact cement up to the camera and the label is clearly visible: DAP brand, Weldwood Contact Cement. I have used this identical product to patch bicycle and motorcycle tubes. It works well with the little patches that come in bicycle patch kits. The tiny tubes of glue provided in the little patch kits typically don't last long once opened. The contents dry up after a year or so after opening, so grab the bottle of contact cement off the shelf instead. I suspect it is really the same as what's provided in the little patch kits anyway.

[@kma5699]

How long would a bottle of this particular contact cement last before drying out?

[@DouglasThompson]

It lasted like years

[@manFromPeterborough]

@@codycouch2467 250ml bottles are better value/quantity vs 8ml tube, when the level gets low in the bottle it tends to go bit dry, I always use bottle cement for home repairs whilst caught out on road I use tube cement

[@nikadevadze7902]

thank you

[@1ZZFE]

How about nitril gloves? In emergency cases, that might work.

[@DouglasThompson]

Maybe, I'm not sure it's thick enough.

[@1ZZFE]

@@DouglasThompson I mean nitrile for tiny holes should be fine. And also for the final layer, instead of plane plastic bag.😉

[@shing176]

HI ,what brand to use Rubber Cement ?

[@DouglasThompson]

I'm not sure what's best but the type I used in this vid works well.

[@corndogers564]

How long do you leave the rubber cement to dry??

[@DouglasThompson]

I've let it dry like an hour or overnight but it's best imo to inflate it in the tire so it knows what shape it's supposed to be. Don't let it dry outside of the tire.

[@corndogers564]

@@DouglasThompson ahhh Thank you for the tip. It’s these small details that matter!!

[@rockmcdwayne1710]

Another trick that seems to work wonders is super glue + piece of duct tape. Repaired mine like that and it has lasted me one month so far.

[@DouglasThompson]

Very cool, thank you for sharing.

[@rockmcdwayne1710]

@@BrightLight105 So far so good, it still havent failed yet!

[@Sharperthanu1]

I'm wondering if you can use silicone caulking instead

[@DouglasThompson]

I personaloly wouldnt but give it a shot and let me know! :)

[@thetwogardens6048]

Thanks. will give it a go !

[@modismik3281]

Gonna try this but with rubber glue and i hope it will work

[@DouglasThompson]

Let me know how it goes!

[@modismik3281]

@@DouglasThompson So everything went good but today when i checked if the tire was flat it wasn't but i have some problems with the disc but now i did a test ride and its all good. LIKED 👍

[@kaye2890]

Amount of rubber cement apply, doesn't it cost much much more then use the store bought patch kit?

[@DouglasThompson]

You can fix thousands of things with rubber cement but only several holes with a patch kit. The initial cost may be more but you would save tons of money in the near future.

[@kaye2890]

I am reinventing new patch method using heat adopt from 3rd World country.

[@OzyOzySM]

@@kaye2890 Hey I am from the third world country but we don't use our shirts to clean with! We use underwaer ····-¿() much better 😉

[@akbaahali8405]

Good job

[@samohanian9339]

well done mate

[@DouglasThompson]

Figured Id share since a few friends of mine buy tubes like crazy.

[@samohanian9339]

I like your patience and you explained everything really well. Thanks again

[@SmartWentCrazy]

this is helpful ty!

[@jiggaballer]

King Soopers bag? Must be in Colorado!

[@DouglasThompson]

Yep lol

[@alfreedom3971]

great job!

[@DouglasThompson]

Thanks Alf! :)

[@michaelmorales3384]

Thanx you, and KZbin! For the inner side piercing laughs tu.Tuberepair i. mean. Don't need to subscribe but this meets the need as of now.I remember my tricycle too .did you have a butterfly handle bar banana seat stingray or put playing cards with cloths pins to make a motorcycle sounding terror for whoever could hear .thanks anyhow. I'm done good repair video to remember .I will remember your name good work

[@DouglasThompson]

I used to love putting playing cards in my spokes. Probably have gone through my fair share of decks. ;)

[@TomerBenDavid]

Sensitive to scratches

[@metalfan210]

I do have a question for a project I need to make a extra large tube what you recommend to put two tubes together

[@DouglasThompson]

Damn...thats gonna be tough. Is buying a fat tire innertube out of the question? You would need an insanely good seal and that would be tough to get with this method. Id say this is good for nail punctures and maybe a small tear, max...

[@metalfan210]

Douglas Thompson it’s actually for my military vehicle trying to seal my turret from leaking sort of what they have for m1 tanks but I need a 44inch bicycle tube I’m currently experimenting by creating around patch and gluing it I’ve tried three times it doesn’t seal I’m still trying but just came across your video and getting some pointers

[@DouglasThompson]

@@metalfan210 id say roughing up the surface as I demonstrated in the video will help and thinning the areas that will be joined so they are more able to bond.

[@iguanapete3809]

5:55 Wipes the tube with his t- shirt. Does you mom know that?

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol what mom don't know...ruins her laundry.

[@souravbhattacharyya3392]

Great

[@danielarumugam1822]

To motorcycle csn i do this

[@DouglasThompson]

I would think so. Not positive but worth a shot.

[@amandakaylor1143]

Reese interlock ball hitch

[@DouglasThompson]

What's that?

[@LostRespxct]

Do I have to use the glue ur using ?

[@DouglasThompson]

What adhesive do you have?

[@LostRespxct]

Douglas Thompson would super glue or something work ?

[@DouglasThompson]

@@LostRespxct no super glue wouldnt work.

[@LostRespxct]

Douglas Thompson ok

[@KC08RAS]

SHOOT Superglue does work

[@Imrankhan.pk.ca.]

Honestly just need plain paper like printer paper and super glue kind of It will fix in 1 minute just put in the tire Air on it good to go

[@DouglasThompson]

Hmm that's interesting it wouldnt tear eventually?

[@Imrankhan.pk.ca.]

Yes I did last time on my electric rad mini bike Work fine

[@TheMusicplayer42]

I'm just cracking up at some of the stupid questions people ask in comments!! Lol 🤣🤣🤣 " Do ya have to use the glue"... " Do I have to use the brand glue you used "??etc. etc...LMAO!! GEEZZ..DOUBLE HEAD SLAP!! 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤣🤣🤣🤣 Hope some of you arent ACTUALLY doing any maintenance work yourself!? 🤣🤣🤣😋😋😎😋

[@DouglasThompson]

some questions might seem obvious to us diy inclined but to others this kind of thing is a different language. it does confuse me sometimes though, I have to admit. :) honestly, I happy so many come to me to get help.

[@manuelaffonso2191]

On another channel this would be about 5 minutes. WAY too long just to patch a tube. 😌

[@DouglasThompson]

I am guilty of long videos sometimes. :)

[@631_SendIt]

How bout an empty tire isnt that what people want to see

[@DouglasThompson]

You can do it on a completely empty tire as well but you would need some kind of pump to inflate it back up either way so you might as well use the technique I demonstrated.

[@tarstarkusz]

5:42 That screw absolutely did not penetrate the tube. Even here at 5:42, the tire is still holding air. You can see it. FAKE!

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol tires don't immediately lose all air when you have a puncture...I didn't lacerate the tire it just put a tiny hole in the tube.

[@tarstarkusz]

@@DouglasThompson So the tube holds its breath and counts to 10 before letting the air out?

[@jasonbannan4024]

Saving money on patch kits but destroying T-shirts? LOL

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol

[@eduardosampoia5480]

that's a terrible technique

[@DouglasThompson]

how is it terrible if it works? lol

[@uknukn1572]

...

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol

[@tomelliott3872]

What freestyle bike is on the floor? I'm old school. My last bike was a Dyno pro comp. Rode for 20 yrs

[@DouglasThompson]

That was most likely my Mongoose L100 build. BMX is great and 20 years is dedication! Very cool

[@grizzmexi768]

The shirt towel dry off technique 5:12 on point 😂😂

[@DouglasThompson]

You know how we do

[@ratbagley]

Your wife says thumbs down using shirt as shop towel.

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol

[@jeromejackson8710]

In my day we use hot patch hot patch was you lite the glue then blow it out and add the patch.

[@truthovertribalism4038]

At first, I was thinking, this guy is over doing it. But, after thinking about it more, I realized , the confidence of knowing you did such a thorough job should provide a lot of riding comfort. You know if you get another leak, it won't be from the area you patched up. Edit: Also, the patch kits I've seen don't seem as reliable or cost effective as what you've shown us.

[@wturber]

I don't see how the bag wrap at the end is helping anything. If high pressure air gets past the main patch, I don't see how a thin bit of plastic bag is going to help any. That said, it is unlikely to hurt anything either.

[@truthovertribalism4038]

I had to watch the video over, but I believe the plastic works as a little extra support to hold the patch on.

[@wturber]

@@truthovertribalism4038 Well that's the thing. We are all kinda shooting from the hip in our assessments of what it actually does. My point is that the force that matters is that from the highly pressurized air inside the tube that is impinging on the sealed hole or slit that is covered by the patch. The "battle" is where that pressure is being exerted. If the battle is lost there, the thin bit of plastic on the outside will be of no consequence. Any outside patch should be at least as strong as any inside patch. Anyway, that's my bet on how things would work out. But I could be wrong.

[@truthovertribalism4038]

@@wturber First of all , your style of communication your thoughts on this matter are very impressive , and have struck a chord in me. Very clear and detailed expression. Thank you. Secondly , I believe the rubber is the main protection against the hole. I would most likely not bother with the plastic at all . It doesn't seem worth the time and effort . After reflection that is....

[@zalafinari]

@@wturber he stated in a reply to another comment that the plastic bag is to prevent the glue from bonding the tube to the tire.

[@rikyspinjitsu]

Your attention to detail, general world knowledge and common sense (nobody has nowadays) is very refreshing.. what I'm trying to say is you are a great teacher way better than 90% of ALLof the YT how-to's 👍 teach more and make more videos of everything you know how to do , inside n outside of bmx

[@DouglasThompson]

Thank you so much. Your comment has further solidified I am using my time wisely to help others. :)

[@muscleguyphilippines]

​@DouglasThompson thanks man

[@TomerBenDavid]

Can tire glue fix punctures without patch?

[@DouglasThompson]

Possibly if it's a huge gob but probably not for extended periods of time.

[@danielngo7498]

What kind or brand of rubber cement?

[@DouglasThompson]

I cant remember what type that was, I think someone named it in the comments here though

[@shawnosborne8939]

Present🙋👍 just checking for medelas. Cool,bike tire flats still the same as I remember. Plastic bag is genuine. I never bothered as a kid but I do know. 48 yrs. Old.march13. I got a V900 cannondale I push to the limit everyday. Urban sprawl and river banks. Great video. So glad I watched this one first. No need to search any further. Just checking mendale while I rubber cement my reason to ride so I can ride with reason..🚲

[@DouglasThompson]

Ya it's nice and cheap...tubes are so expensive now...

[@davidr9876]

ty for sacrificing a tube on the altar of higher learning

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol it was worth it

[@johnnynephrite6147]

I had a puncture exactly like that last week. it pierced the innertube twice and somehow pinched a 3rd hole in it. It was unpatchable and I had to walk it home 2 miles.

[@DouglasThompson]

Brutal...tunes are the Bane of bikes. Lol

[@leojf3828]

You make it look easy - thanks! I'm curious - did you mention the hazards of working with rubber cement? Maybe state "read the directions/follow all safety requirements".

[@DouglasThompson]

I didnt...I should have, knowing the fumes are definitely not something you should be breathing in. Thabk you for the suggestion! I will at least put something in the description.

[@chiralmoibus]

Thank you.

[@DouglasThompson]

:)

[@GooganSenko]

Good video. Thanks my friend!

[@mealex303]

at 6:06 the black stain on the wood on the floor looks like president Lincoln without his hat on lol

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol good spot!

[@thewishmastur]

Are you using rubber cement or contact cement?

[@DouglasThompson]

You know...I don't actually know, I think I included the product name in the description. Let me check.

[@geiger21]

Hi, I'm coming with a quite different problem. I need to repair my gas mask and I'm looking for some kind of flexible rubber cement. Is this cement similar to butapren glue?

[@DouglasThompson]

I have no knowledge in regards to butapren glue. Sorry.

[@geiger21]

@@DouglasThompson never mind. I've bought some xtra seal chemical vulcanizing cement. I think it would be ok for bonding rubber

[@6038Joe]

How do you inflat the inner tube before placing the patch on? If the inner tube has a hole, it can not hold air pressure..am I missing something

[@DouglasThompson]

Unless the tube is sliced or has such a large puncture it is practically a black hole, you should be able to put enough air into the tube to be able to find the air leaking out. If the hole is large enough to see, you wouldnt need to find the hole this way. It does help the patch for small punctures so the patch is more or less the size it needs to be with air pressure in the tube.

[@mattthibault5701]

I worked on my 4” x 20” tire

[@DouglasThompson]

Nice! Glad I could help guide you!

[@henry6525]

Very nice. Question: do you need to wait till the glue is almost dry, how long anyway? There arw cheap kits available today with glue and pieces of rubber.

[@DouglasThompson]

I've done both successfully, I'd say let it dry

[@henry6525]

Thank you!

[@mattthibault5701]

I highly recommend

[@DouglasThompson]

Thank you!

[@saulfernandez8876]

All good tho i wouldnt have used my shirt to clean things

[@DouglasThompson]

Lol fair enough.

[@josephbarrett9563]

Really good instruction. Using old tubes for patching is good and for cutting big patches. Many of the store bought patches are too small especially near a seam.

[@DouglasThompson]

Agreed, they seem to fail a lot.

[@wakeywakey8603]

I saw a guy on YT use his old tube as a 2nd (outer layer) in his bike tire. He cut a slit all along the inner seam of the old tube. Cheaper than buying Slime sealant.

[@manFromPeterborough]

@@wakeywakey8603 Slime is crap, it gunks up valves

[@HotRodTom47]

Thanks .....GREAT VIDEO

[@DouglasThompson]

Thank you for watching!

[@zoemeow7677]

It wasn't worth fixing that's how was with this girl 💁✨

[@DouglasThompson]

LOL tubes can get expensive really quick if you ride street. Lot of glass, a lot of sharp rocks and a lot of metal debris that can embed itself in your tire.