After using "Pennzoil Fix-A-Flat", is it still possible to patch the tire?

Question

Days ago I got my new tires vandalized. They were punctured in the side walls with a nail or something similar. As I only had one spare tire, I had to come up with another solution. So I bought some cans of “Pennzoil Fix-A-Flat” patching and inflating the tires good enough to drive to the nearest gas station air compressor. It worked perfectly!

After that, I’ve been trying to get opinions on the possibility of fixing the tires without compromising its safety.

I went to “Firestone Complete auto care” and as I suspected, they refused to patch them due to safety reasons.

They also told me something that lead me to this question.

They said that even if the puncture was in a repairable area, they wouldn’t be able to repair it because I used "Pennzoil Fix-A-Flat” that releases a rubber compound and disables the patch to glue.

Is this true? Or has anyone ever had a tire patched perfectly after using "Pennzoil Fix-A-Flat”.

I appreciate all your answers, Thank you!

Answer 1

well usually they dont patch the side of the tire cause after  its punctured its unsafe and they could blow alot easier then the treaded part, the treaded part have alot more rubber and alot stronger then the side.

and them not being able to patch it cause the fix a flat is true depending on the typed of plug/patch, some tire places use the inside patch and others use a plug where you shove a 4" rubber sticky plug into the hole with a special tool and plugging it, the plug i think is more effective and a cheaper do it yourself, there sold at wal-mart,autozone, etc.

but the reason they didnt patch it is cause the puncture was on the side, sorry to say but you will need new tires cause there unsafe now, when you reach high speeds the tire spins strecthing and it could rip open.  

Answer 2

It can be repaired after it has fix a flat put in it , but you will need to go to a small shop to have it done ,because the big shops wont do it . It must be cleaned and sanded for the patch to hold. It must also have a patch made with a plug made to it ,not a reg. patch,  If you need to save money and get use out of your new tire's ,have them to patch them then put tube's inside of  them.

Answer 3

any tire with a puncture in the side wall needs to be replaced.  You are driving on borrowed time and the clock is ticking.  Also, no tire shop will patch a tire with fix-o-anything in it, thats just the truth.  Sorry it sucks but its the truth.  next time you get new tires get the replacement warranty, in this case you would've been covered.  At discount tire (not sure if they are around you) they will replace a damaged tire so long as the tread is at or above the wear markers.  its usually around $10 per tire, but it may be more or less by you.  

Answer 4

Sidewalls can never be patched for safety reasons - they flex and nothing adheres for long.  That makes the tire useless.

Tread areas can normally be patched.  After using the flat spray, it must be cleaned out and I would treat the rubber with alcohol before patching or vulcanizing.

Try a sale at Pep Boys or Hallmark brand at Wal Mart.  They'll be fine.  A junkyard may or may not help for used tires, better to go new/reasonable.

Answer 5

A couple problems here.   A lot of people won't even tear the tire down if i't's had that stuff put in them.   Most use butane or similar flammable gas as a propellant.   Next problem is that it's the sidewall they punctured.   These are hard to patch and most repair places won't do that because that is the weakest part of the tire.

One solution is to have tubes put in these tires.    Have the repair place put the best patch they can over the hole and then insert tubes in each wheel/tire.    This will be cheaper than a whole new set of tires.

Check with your car insurance and see if you have any coverage for vandalism as well.     You may be surprised.  May have some deductible but could be cheaper than carrying the whole thing on your own.

Before contacting insurance company go to police and make a report out.   Then tell insurance company you filed a police report on the incident.

Good luck

RoyG

KC

Answer 6

You could plug a tire after using fix a flat but you can never repair a tire with a damaged side wall.  

Answer 7

yes , it pisses of the tire tech but hey we do what we gotta do! ps the safety reason is because the patch is on the sidewall not because the fix a flat. patching a side wall is much different than the tread area due to the flex of the wall and the structure of the areas. the tread area is much thicker and a harder compound than the sides. many small shops will do it but wont warranty the repair I'm not a fan of it either by the way

Answer 8

I know some people that work in tire places and they said it can be done but it's so much work to get rid of all the goop and so most places refuse to do it.  It should only be used in extreme emergencies.