Is tire repair sealant the ultimate solution for leaked tires? The answer is No. It is just a temporary solution for leaking tires. Tire repair sealants have become immensely popular in recent days because they are quick fixes. The world is now running after easy and quick solutions, and so is this one. Tire repair sealants came into existence a few years back, and even in this short span, they managed to gain popularity because it is a cheap and easy solution. But is it the ultimate solution? Tire repair sealants act as the best quick fix but fail to serve in the long run. That means it is not a great idea if you are trying to fix an old rugged tire with a sealant.

Flat tires often experience punctures and leakages. Depending on their nature and the time available, vehicle users can plan for various ways to fix or repair them. The severity of damage also plays a significant role here. For example, in case of minor leaks or punctures, the tire sealants can be a quick fix, but they are practical and of no use for a complete tire blowout. Keeping a can of aerosol tire sealants can be a good idea to save you from the on-road hassles, but if you are genuinely concerned about the long-term health of your tire or the road safety parameters, it is not a feasible option. 

Let us now explore why tire repair sealant is not an ideal permanent solution to treat leaking tires. 

Yes, you got that right. Using tire repair sealant for too long or multiple times can cause long-term damage to your tire health. It can further ruin your tires if not used properly. The tire sealant is designed to fill up the leakages and minor punctures in the tire by inducing heat in it. Heat is the primary component that aids the functioning of tire sealants. But, when using the tire repair sealants, if the heat is not created optimally, it will settle at the bottom of the tires and cause tire misalignment, leading to accidents. So, it is a matter of perfect heat management for the tire repair sealant to work correctly. 

Another large-scale damage caused by the tire repair sealants is the damage caused to tire sensors. Modern-day tire sensors can sense the low or high (improper) pressure within the tires and alerts the driver to make some adjustments for better safety. The sealants always create constant pressure inside the tires, thus making the sensors not work optimally. Since they cannot function properly, the rider does not get any signal about improper pressure in the tires. It could lead to accidents.

The biggest turn-down for using tire repair sealants is that they are not a permanent solution for tire leakages. Leaky tires will lead to wheel corrosion, which can be costly to repair when in use. The tire sealant is not a permanent solution. The worst part is that- the service centers will only accept tires with sealants on them. When the flat tires with tire sealants get into a worse condition because sealants are chemicals that damage the tires over time, the last resort left is to replace the tires. This is indeed a costly alternative but the only one left. 

Sealants are composed of chemicals. The mix of chemicals can be corrosive and highly derogatory to the tires. They react with the tire's chemicals and produce other chemical reactions that are harmful to the tire's health, leading to corrosion and tire wear out. The tires often have shorter life spans if tire sealant is used too often. 

Authorized service centers will only accept a tire with a sealant. The technician will have to spend a great deal of time, energy, and effort to remove the tire sealant, which is also in vain. Sealant use on leaked tires will nullify the tire’s warranty, and the void warranty is of no use. So, whenever there is any issue with the tire with a sealant, you have to replace the same at the undiscounted price. 

As bike riders, it is better to give up the tendency to always rely on bike tire sealants. Always keep it at hand but use it only during an emergency. If you have a service center nearby, get the tire fixed as soon as possible without using the sealant. The number of tire repair sealant cans needed will depend on whether you are fixing a bike tire or an SUV tire. Take proper precautionary measures when using tire repair senate, especially when dealing with the applicator and tire inflator.