Repairing Slicks
 

Hey guys,
Got a screw in the centre of one of the slicks, we currently run them tubeless and I was gonna just put a plug in it and good to go but.....
Any of you guys plugged a slick before?
Something I got no experience with.
Thanks
Geoff

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

I have never run tubes and been plugging slicks and front runners for over 2 decades without issue. The best plug kit by far is this one...

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps5fa8a6c5.jpg

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

I as well have plugged slicks in the past without any problems
Chuck

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

I don't race a Super Comp or Super Gas car,but if I had this problem,I would be getting new slicks.I wouldn't take the chance,but that is just me.

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

I have mounted 100s of slicks.If you use the sticky plug it will work fine.I ran one on a s/g car for 10 races.

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

Super glue works the best

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

This is by no means a personal recommendation but at the Chevrolet-
Toyota dealership where I work we use a Tech brand repair system
wherebye the tire is dismounted, the inner carcass is prepped and
buffed and a large "mushroom" patch-plug is applied from the inside
along with a special sealant.

We have never had an issue with these as it is impossible for the patch
to come loose. Of course I would never plug a tire tread close to the sidewall.

Check dealers in your area.

http://www.techtirerepairs.com/

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

The inner carcass of a passenger car tire and that of a slick are not the same. Try prepping/buffing the inner carcass of a slick and you are quickly into the cords with no rubber left to bond the patch to. Further, a passenger tire does not go out of round as a drag slick does on acceleration which would allow the patch to deform and likely lead to failure IF you were sucessfull getting the patch to bond to the carcass. Vulcanizing is the right fix but cost prohibitted if it could even be done to a slick.

Me, I'll continue to plug slicks and front runners at the track/in the lanes, when the need arises, in minutes, ensuring I don't miss a round.

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

Point taken, The "tread" area of a slick is very thin. I thought a
"mushroom patch" from the inside would be safer but the patch
area on a slick would deform massively more than on a street tire.

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

Geoff,

Put a plug in it & be done with it , have been doing it for years without a problem .. *Only works when leak is in bottom surface ,not on side-walls !!! Plugs also work very well on Trailer tires .... Go for it, buy a Kit and always be prepared ...

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

Clean it best you can, open the hole up enough to squirt in some Super Glue and let is sit about 10 minutes. Did the one on my Olds Cutlass, held air for over 10 events then started slowly leaking, found it by putting 20 lbs in and using soap.and reglued it. July til now, A-OK.
Not saying plugs aren't better but when they are calling you to the lanes, I went with what I know works.

Jok

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

We have plugged them for years. We keep a kit in the racecar behind the drivers seat.

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

I have repaired a slick with black silicon before. This was a recommendation from the tire guy at the track. Dismount to the tire and squirt the silicon into the hole from the back side then rub a little across the hole on the inside. I actually saw silicon coming out of the hole on the outside so I knew I has enough to plug the hole. This got me threw the rest of the season with no problems.

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

This^^^, repaired in seconds in the lanes!

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

Initially sounded like a crazy question...thanks everyone for chiming in.
I would have bought new, but not now...super glue, silicon, or a plug if it ever happens.

Clark

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

X-2
Never try to patch a side wall,,,,BAD NEWS !!!

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

Type in Saftey Seal on the confusor machine and you can look at what they have available. I have had their kit for years and it is good old fashion made in America metal tools, not chineeze junk. The stuff works great. The sidewall stuff, I got a cut in a brand new slick where the sidewall meets the tread surface. I sent it off to Callaghan Tire in Tampa where they stitched it up and vulcanized it and it lasted 9 years. John Kissel

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

You keep slicks for 9 years?

Re: Repairing Slicks
 

Guys, thanks once again for helping the Aussies out.

In my head the plug made all the sense in the world BUT my daughter has already been upside down at 150 plus in a Dragster so I didn't need to do that deal again, and we had three events in one week culminating with a three day race so the pressure was on, she lost in first round yesterday (oh well, all good).

If you want to see it today www.sydneydragway.com.au live streaming with everything from Top fuel to Junior Dragster.

Banged a plug into it and no issues at all, thanks again everybody, and Clark, I kinda thought it was a dumb arse question too.

Enjoy
Geoff in Australia :D:D:D