Tubes cheap redneck home made tire sealant for retro-grouches

Well, I guess this thread still has some interest, so I'll keep it open. Cool.

Here is the first video I made. (shows BMX bike front tire that had a wooden thorn in it. I don't know where the kid rode it to get that, but ok. )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLdC2KR_08o

Here is a video I made where I deliberately puncture the tire (BMX front tire, same bike, with bald old tire) several times with a deck screw through a 2x4, to test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVbDB3RNgnA

Result: 1 of the holes was too big or too high (close to rim strip) to get wet and seal good. Gave up and patched the tube conventionally. (scuff with boot knife, add tire glue and dry, add vulcanizing patch).
 
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I'm making another batch for my junky old BMX bike and fishing trailer. I will try adding salt to the caulk and window wash (mostly water, with a little methanol and blue food coloring) or maybe just rubbing alcohol, to see if that plugs any better. People on a MTBreview forum about tubeless setups had some riders using rubber shavings, silica beads (sand for modeling or hobby), hobby beads, glitter, etc. They thought salt would maybe create corrosive gasses if the window wash has a lot of ammonia, but I think the $1 blue wash at Wmart doesn't have ammonia or much of it. Will post update.

I will see if this caulk latex will dilute with rubbing alcohol. I know that can combine with table salt and not do anything. I use rubbing alcohol, salt, and dish soap as a spray to kill ants and scrub dirty pots.

I'm trying to make something cheap and effective for kids bikes, trailers, and junk bikes so people don't have to buy Slime for everything.
 
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I got some thorns in my kid trailer again, and the old batch still works. I didn't even have to pump more air. The trailer tires run about 25-30psi. I noticed some white splashes on the sidewalls which is what happens when the sealant mashes between the poked tube and tire, till it seals the leak. Sometimes a little runs out near the tire bead. Thicker tubes are what makes it work.

On my fishing trailer, I just replaced the tubes with foam pipe insulation (thickest one available. I wrapped it up like a cinnamon roll, taped it every 4" , and crammed it in the tire with a bunch of levers, like with real foam tubes. It seems like a 25psi tire, pretty cushy. The tires flex a lot. They are old junk tires so I don't care if they wear out faster. The rim had lots of pad. I could bounce the wheels off the pavement like a basketball.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21-eB4QNzcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
21-eB4QNzcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
If you really want to redneck it, you can ask a mower shop or junkyard, and look for some wheels off a high-wheel push mower. The plastic kind would probably be best/cheapest because metal is worth scrap, and the plastic mags will have some damping function.

http://media.qcsupply.com/catalog/p...df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/3/0/30207.jpg
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MTD Mower Wheel plastic with metal bearings, $21 each
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21VJHJ63HEL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
21VJHJ63HEL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


You would need some All-Thread or long bolts, hardware like washers and nuts, etc to mount these where the standard QR BMX style wheels go. You will likely need to "flat" the axles with a grinder at the ends, where they go into the QR axle slots. (be sure to move several nuts down the thread first, so you can chase the threads after filing! )

This would be a good option for a fishing trailer or something without a human or pet passenger. You could keep your regular wheels for road or passenger use.
 
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