Tires: Repair Safety, mushroom patches, canned products

Question
I used a "slime" type product once in my tires on my lakeshore dock.  They are flat again.  I was told once that it is dangerous to air up tires that have been sealed with a "slime" type product.  Like they could explode!  Is there any truth to that theory?

Thanks

Answer
Al,

If you are referring to the type of sealants that come in an aerosol can, there is some truth to this.  Some of the propellants were combustible, however, I think all of those have been taken off the market (I hope, because this was very dangerous!)

Assuming your tires are used exclusively for a dock bumper, I don't see any problem using these aerosol canned products for repairing flats.  Or using plugs for that matter.

However, if you have a road tire, then the only approved repair method involves sealing the hole (with a patch) and filling the injured area (with a plug).  There are special patches with a stem, sometimes referred to as mushroom patches, that do both in one operation.  BTW, the only repairable area of a street tire is in the tread EXCLUDING the outermost ribs.  A tire's belts are the most highly stressed area of a tire and tire manufacturers want this area to stay intact and not be disturbed.  So if there is a puncture outside this area, then the tire should be replaced for your own safety.

Hope this helps.