Perma Seal Tire Repair

[bejjutsu]

Hi all,

Does anyone have experience with Perma Seal tire repair?
It is a liquid that floats around in the wheels and when exposed to air, solidifies. So, upon puncture, it heals (assuming you keep driving so it can spread out) and you don't need any further repair.

Jay Leno says he uses it on his cars (video below).. but I'm wondering if there are any NICO testimonials.

Thanks


/ran over 2 nails this month. :/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb6qs2XrA5Q

[EniGmA1987]

I havent really read up on this so I dont know much about it. I just felt like pointing out the flaw in the logic that when this gets exposed to air it solidifies. Cause do you know what goes in tires? Air.

[atlM35]

I havent really read up on this so I dont know much about it. I just felt like pointing out the flaw in the logic that when this gets exposed to air it solidifies. Cause do you know what goes in tires? Air.

Exactly what I was thinking. Unless if it requires you to fill up with nitrogen and it doesn't react to nitrogen at all, but I believe that our air we breathe is 70-80% N.

[bejjutsu]

It's not clear what causes it to solidify, though they say in the video that it does so when it hits the outside air.
You can use air or nitrogen in your tires.

From the FAQ: (no explanation)

When penetration occurs, the tire pressure forces PermaSeal into the wound area sealing instantaneously around the penetrating object. If the object self extracts then, as the tire rotates the tread area is deformed when in contact with the road surface, the puncture wound is forced open and the product is forced into the puncture wound by the air pressure within the tire.

[bejjutsu]

Demonstration with multiple nails: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMCBHiOk2rU

[ColoJoe]

I don't see how you could balance a tire (and keep it balanced) with a liquid inside it. I would think the liquid would tend to pool at the bottom of the tire, especially for a car that sits overnight in a cold climate. The manufacturer might very well have solved the balancing problem, but I would want further info before using.

[DeanM45]

Asked about this in the past and supposedly:

the fluid attaches itself to the inside of the tire (which is why you must drive once put inside the tire).
It then "skins" where it contacts the air inside the tire. The rest remains somewhat fluid. Kind of like when paint or glue dries (when put on thick).
When there is a puncture the semi-liquid material flows out of the opening and contacts the outside air which causes it to harden.

[SteveTheTech]

Products like this are common in the mountain biking world. They work great when in the mountains on a bicycle. They have started making the transition to the lightweight faster world of road cycling. There are several brands out there marketing everything from wheels to tires and goo for all types of riding.

I have studied the application uses in road bikes to a fairly extensive level and am not convinced that my expensive tires should be subjected to whatever chemical compound this is yet. My major concern is the increase in rotational mass and possible uneven application thickness of this product that will lead to a high speed vibration. The need for removal and cleaning every few months is more maintenance that I care to deal with. Some of the bike ones require replacement every 6 months.

In the auto world I worry about the same things as well as the tire monitors that are known to be very finicky when there is nothing sloshing around inside the tires. Anything at all inside the tire will damage the sensor it the mounting stem. I have seen condensation from air compressors rust the sensors, Fix-A-Flat will literally melt the epoxy on the back side of the sensor and melt the inside of the tire.

I am not sold on these products just yet. I would not risk my wheels, tires, and sensors to this product until there is more information about it. I noticed throughout that entire video they never once mentioned they rode smooth or where tire sensor safe. Or more importantly if this product will need to be removed, the tires completely cleaned, and the fluid replaced on a regular basis.

[bejjutsu]

Thanks for the input. I didn't think about the TPM sensors which would certainly be affected. Of course...they claim that the sensors will be fine.. Hard to believe.