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withdraw the inner tube from the tire. Refit the valve in the inner tube again and inflate the tire. If
there is a large hole in the tube you will hear or feel the air escaping. You can locate a small
leak by holding the tube down in a bowl of water.
Once you have found the puncture, mark the spot with a pen and then let all the air out of the
tube and dry it off. Clean the area around the hole thoroughly with a small piece of emery cloth.
Apply a coating of solution sparingly and allow it to dry for a minute until 'tacky' (follow the
instructions with the solution). Cut out a patch to the right size and stick it on the puncture. Apply
firm pressure to the patch and hold it down for a bit. Leave to dry for a few minutes. Carefully
check the tire casing for sharp objects (glass, nails, debris, etc.) and remove them to prevent
any further punctures. In order to verify whether the puncture has been sealed you can inflate
the tube again and draw it through the water. If the puncture has been corrected refit the tube
over the rim. Feed the valve stem through the hole in the rim first. Then fit the rest of the inner
tube; ensure that it is not folded over or twisted. Inflate it slightly. Ensure that the rim tape is
correctly centered as it protects the inner tube from the spokes. Now fit the tire working around
the rim starting from the valve by pressing it into the rim (this may require quite a lot of force in
the final section). Keep the valve stem pressed in as far as possible, this will ensure that the
inner tube is positioned correctly. Press the tire into the rim again. Do not use tire levers or tools
to refit the tire, doing so risks puncturing the tire again! If the tire has been fitted correctly, inflate
the tube and then tighten the valve nut securely. Screw the dust cap onto the valve and you are
ready to go. If the hole in your inner tube is too big to be repaired, then it will need to be
replaced.
