On 11/4/2014 2:45 PM, IYM wrote:
On 11/4/2014 2:20 PM, Dan Espen wrote:
"Sasquatch Jones" writes:

I have a slow lead in the side wall that came from scraping some kind
of sharp object laying by the curb. Looks like a 1/2-inch cut, but
jagged. Tire is tubeless radial. Is it possible to patch something
like this on the side wall? Patch kits say they are for the tread but
don't say specifically not to use them on the side.

2nd thought -- can I put a tube in it? Seems like I remember tire
places say tubeless can't be fixed with a tube, but I can't see why
not.

A tube should work, but any kind of cut could lead to a blow out.
Especially one on the side wall.
I say replace the tire.


Yeah - Your not supposed to patch a side wall. Mostly it's due to the
flexing the sidewall does, the patch won't hold long anyway but that
1/2" tear you got will end up weakening and as the previous poster
mentioned, a blowout could happen. Don't ever stick a plug in the side
wall either - That will spread the steel bands and weaken the wall
worse. I've gotten away with having a plug stuck in on the very edge of
the tread before, (but still facing the road) where your not supposed to
have one, but was in a situation where I had no choice. Still fine
after 30K miles there, but never would I do a sidewall. I don't see why
a tube wouldn't be fine, but would patch the tire on the inside so no
chance of the tube having any issues with where the cut was.

But all in all, with the price for a tube & repair why not just get a
new tire? If your really hard up for $$, you can even buy used with
decent tread left. I've never done it before, but have seen used tire
places so someone does..

I agree.
Steel is in the belt and sidewalls are probably polyester plies.
If these are cut, tire would be at risk to patch as flexing is in the
sidewall and any repair would probably not be permanent.