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How Can I Fix a Crack in a Tire Sidewall?

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Crack in car tire rubber split fissure

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Car tires can suffer from all types of damage: worn tread, punctures and slashes, for instance. Cracks are another blight on your vehicle’s tires, but treating a cracked tire is much different than patching a hole.

Should you fix a crack in a tire sidewall, and if so, how can you?


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What to know if you need to fix a crack in a tire

Unlike other puncture-related perforations in a tire, a crack isn’t just an isolated incident. A crack in a tire is a sign of the rubber itself breaking apart, which has resulted from slow dry rot eating away the tire’s integrity. So don’t expect that patching a crack will solve all your tire problems like patching a puncture hole is.

Start by having a mechanic inspect the tire to evaluate the full extent of the damage. They could locate underlying damage that hasn’t visibly appeared yet, such as cracks on the inside of the tire. If they approve of you fixing the crack, you can make the repairs yourself.

Fix a Crack in tire sidewall split fissure mend glue rubber cement

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To do so, thoroughly clean the fissure using dirt-removing tire cleaning sprays (a carburetor cleaner also works great). Roughen up the area around the crack by scraping it; this will help the adhesive stick to it. Then, once the crack is dry and unsoiled, squeeze in an elastic cement specifically for patching tires. Pat it into the crevice and on the surface around it, wiping it smoothly across the area. Spray a couple coats of black paint over the crack to protect it from dirt, the sun, and the weather.

Keep an eye on the patch going forward to make sure it has held through the heat, rain, and pot hole bumps.


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