Types of Tire Plugs: Which One to Use
Tire plugs come as self-vulcanizing string plugs and screw-in plugs with glue, and kits range from a 31-piece set to a compact cased kit; this guide explains each one and compares 4 kits for puncture repair.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Amzlink® Professional Tire Plug Kit 31 PCS9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
ARI Airplugger, A Compact Tire Repair Kit, Silver9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
MetFun 40 PCS Quick Fix Screw-in Tire Plug Kit9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
108 Pcs Tire Screw Plug Repair Kit9.6/10View on Amazon
A nail in the tread on a Saturday morning turns a drive into a garage job. Types of tire plugs answer the next question: which plug seals a tread puncture, and which kit carries it. The short answer is that self-vulcanizing string plugs seal tread punctures, screw-in plugs twist into the puncture with sealant glue, and the ARI kit packs plugs, needle and reamer into a compact casing. The sections below explain each one.
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Amzlink® Professional Tire Plug Kit 31 PCS
A 31-piece kit with 20 self-vulcanizing plugs, steel T-handle reamer and insertion tools, pliers, knife, lubricant, valve tools and a storage bag.
Pros
- 20 self-vulcanizing plugs in the kit
- Steel T-handle reamer and insertion tools
- Pliers, knife, lubricant, valve tools and a storage bag included
- 2 year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Not for sidewall damage or inner tubes
- Needs a technician inspection after use
- Suits small tread holes only, not larger damage
- No plug size is stated
ARI Airplugger, A Compact Tire Repair Kit, Silver
A compact tire repair kit with a casing, insertion needle, reamer and 5 plugs of 6 mm.
Pros
- Compact casing holds the needle, reamer and plugs
- 5 plugs of 6 mm included
- Materials made to prevent corrosion
- Compact casing for carrying in the vehicle
Cons
- Only 5 plugs in the kit
- No valve stem tool or lubricant in the kit
- No weight is stated
- No warranty term is stated
MetFun 40 PCS Quick Fix Screw-in Tire Plug Kit
40-piece screw-in tire plug kit with 10 small and 30 large screws and 2 tubes of sealant glue, for tubeless tires.
Pros
- 30 large screws at 6.6x15 mm for larger punctures
- Pre-coated with sealing glue for a double seal
- 2 tubes of sealant glue included
- 5-minute DIY repair with no tire removal, per the listing
Cons
- No warranty term is stated, only to contact the seller
- No safety listing is stated
- Only 10 small screws in the kit
- No hole diameter is stated
108 Pcs Tire Screw Plug Repair Kit
108-piece screw-in tire plug kit with 100 screws in 3 sizes, sealant, a screwdriver, scrapers and a storage box.
Pros
- 100 screws in 3 sizes for small, medium and large holes
- Carbon steel core with premium rubber coating
- Screwdriver, scrapers, nozzles and storage box included
- 2 tubes of sealant included
Cons
- 14 day warranty, the shortest here
- Spec table lists size as 0.27 inches, the large size only
- No hole diameter is stated
- No safety listing is stated
Types of tire plugs: string plugs, screw-in plugs and a compact kit
Tire plugs come in two shapes in this guide, plus one compact kit. Self-vulcanizing string plugs are flexible rubber strips for the tread, and the Amzlink kit carries 20 of them with a reamer and insertion tools. Screw-in plugs are rubber screws that twist into the puncture, and the screw-in kits carry 40 and 108 of them with sealant glue. The ARI kit is a compact cased kit: it holds 5 plugs of 6 mm with a needle and reamer in one casing.
| Plug or kit | What it is | Kits that carry it |
|---|---|---|
| String plugs | Flexible rubber strips for tread punctures | Amzlink 31-piece kit |
| Compact cased kit | 5 plugs of 6 mm with a needle and reamer in one casing | ARI Airplugger |
| Screw-in plugs | Rubber screws with sealant glue | MetFun 40-piece, RTTHEL 108-piece |
String plugs: the full kit
The string plug is the roadside fix. The Amzlink kit carries 20 self-vulcanizing plugs with a steel T-handle spiral reamer and insertion tools, plus pliers, a utility knife, lubricant, a 4-way valve stem tool, 2 spare valve cores, an L-wrench, an instruction guide and a storage bag. The maker lists the kit for nail and screw punctures in repairable tread areas of tubeless tires on cars, motorcycles, ATVs and trucks, and for many repairs the tire can stay on the rim. The kit is not for sidewall damage or inner tubes.
A compact kit for carrying
The ARI Airplugger packs a tire repair into a compact casing: an insertion needle, a reamer and 5 plugs of 6 mm, with materials made to prevent corrosion. The maker describes a patented design that carries everything needed to repair a flat tire. With 5 plugs, it suits one puncture at a time.
Screw-in plugs with glue
Screw-in plugs take a different path: a rubber screw twists into the puncture, and the kit includes sealant glue. The MetFun kit carries 40 screw-in plugs with 2 tubes of sealant glue, and the RTTHEL kit carries 108 screw-in plugs with tire glue. Both kits list puncture repair for cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors. Match the plug to the puncture before ordering.
Tire plug kits for the job
The kits below cover the types above: string plugs, screw-in plugs with glue and a compact cased kit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Plugging a sidewall: the Amzlink kit is not for sidewall damage, and tread plugs belong in the tread.
- Plugging an inner tube: the Amzlink kit is for tubeless tires, not tubes.
- Skipping the inspection: have a qualified technician inspect the tire after the repair.
- Forgetting the valve: check the valve core and stem while the kit is out.
Read the manual before first use, wear eye protection, keep the work area clear and ventilated, and stay within every stated rating. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
Can a tire plug fix a sidewall puncture?
No. The Amzlink kit is not intended for sidewall damage. A sidewall puncture needs a shop repair or a new tire.
Do I need to remove the tire to plug it?
Not always. The Amzlink kit lists repairs where the tire can stay on the rim for many punctures. Pull the object with the pliers, clean the hole with the spiral probe, insert the plug and trim the excess.
How do screw-in tire plugs work?
The plug is a rubber screw that twists into the puncture, and the kit includes sealant glue. The MetFun kit carries 2 tubes of sealant glue with 40 plugs, and the RTTHEL kit carries glue with 108 plugs.
What is in a 31-piece tire plug kit?
The Amzlink kit holds 20 self-vulcanizing plugs, a steel T-handle spiral reamer and insertion tools, pliers, a utility knife, lubricant, a 4-way valve stem tool, 2 spare valve cores, an L-wrench, an instruction guide and a storage bag.
Should a plugged tire be inspected?
Yes. The Amzlink kit says to have the tire inspected by a qualified technician after use.
What size plugs does the ARI kit use?
Plugs of 6 mm, with 5 in the kit. The casing also holds the needle and the reamer.
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