Have you ever had a slow leak that continuously deflates your tire but is nowhere to be found in the tread area? Yes, not all tire leaks are a result of a nail or screw lodging somewhere in the tread area of the tire.
Some are on account of defects between the edge of the tire known as the bead and the rim and cannot be addressed the same way as holes in the tread area are addressed.
So, is a tire bead sealer necessary? Yes, they become necessary under certain conditions but are unneeded for a brand new tire and a new rim combo.
To have a good understanding of the need for a bead sealant, when to use a bead sealant, how to make use of a bead sealant, how to make a bead sealant by yourself in your backyard, and other related issues around bead sealants, there are a couple of things that we must first have a good understanding of.
Let’s start with what the bead is and how it works to keep the tire inflated. To identify the part of the tire known as the bead, take a close look at any available tire, you will notice three prominent parts, first is the part with the tread pattern, then the sidewall, and lastly is a thickened edge. This edge is known as the bead.
Trending Searches
Every wheel has a done grove that runs along its edge and functions as the bead area where the tire’s bead is lodged upon installation.
Once the tire is inflated, the air pressure keeps the bead tightly fitted with the rim, creating an airtight junction between the tire and the rim which does not allow the passage of air even without the application of a sealant.
Therefore, there is absolutely no need for a bead sealant as long as the bead and rim are in great shape without any deformity.
Given that the bead is kept tightly fitted in the groove within the wheel by the tire pressure, low tire pressure is one of the possible situations where the bead seems to come off from this grove. A bead lock may come in handy in this situation to help clamp the head to the wheel.
Conversely, sometimes, the bead is seen to be tightly attached to the wheel in a frozen state making it difficult to unmount such a tire. This happens when the wheel becomes rusted from exposure to moisture, salts, and the surrounding air.
Here in this article, we shall consider when it becomes necessary to make use of bead sealant, how to prepare a homemade bead sealant, how to make a diagnosis of a bead leak, and how to apply the bead sealant appropriately.
When should you consider using a tire bead sealer?
Tire sealants can be applied to the tire even when it is in perfect shape without any leaks. This is done to prevent flat tires caused by thorns or nails. With the right sealant, the driver is likely to be unaware of when the tire picks up a thorn or nail as this is quickly fixed by the pre-installed sealant.
When it comes to bead sealers, it is unnecessary to install the sealer when the bead and rim are in perfect shape without any defect. This is because the bead is not a common source of tire leaks as the air pressure within the tire constantly keeps the bead firmly fitted with the rim.
However, there are situations where the leaks are neither in the tread area nor is the tire getting deflated as a result of a valve defect. In such a situation, one may consider checking the bead area for a possible bead leak.
So, how is the diagnosis of a bead leak made? This is similar to how the diagnosis of a leak within the tread area or the valve stem is made. The first step is to rule out leaks within these two areas as they account for the most common cause of low tire pressure.
This is done by spraying soapy water or a widow spray over these areas while looking out for air bubbles. The presence of air bubbles following the allocation of the water is diagnostic of a hole within the tread area or a valve defect.
Holes in the tread area can be fixed using a tire sealant such as slime depending on its diameter or by applying a patch or a tire plug. The method of choice depends on the situation, the size of the hole, expertise, and availability of the needed resources.
After ruling out the tread area and the valve stem, if none of these is the culprit, then the soapy water should be prayed over the bead area, that is, the junction between the lip of the tire and the rim while observing for air bubbles, the presence of which signifies a defect in this formally airtight region.
So, now did an airtight junction suddenly become the cause of your flat tire? Well, under certain conditions such as infiltration of the wheel to water and sometimes salt used on the road during winter, the fine grove within the will where the tire’s bead lodges may get corroded.
This creates the gap through which air escapes out of the tire.
The wheels type of construction material is an important determinant of its susceptibility to rust and corrosion. For example, studies have shown wheels of alloy or aluminum are the most susceptible to corrosion.
Application of anti-rust and anti-corrosive agents in such a wheel may save the tire from experiencing a head leak.
You are probably thinking at this point of alternatively using tire sealant such as slime in place of the bead sealant. The diagnosis of bead leak is relatively rare compared to leaks within the tread area.
Therefore most persons may not have a bead sealant lying around the house and may be forced to consider other alternatives. Unfortunately, slime sealants may not work in this regard. A homemade bead sealant can grade with simple ingredients.
How do you make a tire bead sealer at home?
In today’s internet age, virtually anything can be bought online, and this includes bead sealant which is readily available on both online auto retail shops, as well as offline shops, where car parts are sold.
However, bead sealants can also be formulated at home if the necessary ingredients are made available.
Bead sealants, either homemade or bought from an auto shop can be applied to all kinds of tires without discrimination. The user may also consider its use as a preventive measure to stall the occurrence of a rim or bead leak.
In terms of the recipe, there are no struck conditions for the number or amount of the required ingredients, this is at the user’s discretion.
When preparing for the adventure, remember to apply the necessary precautionary measure as you will be dealing with potentially harmful chemicals which could cause skin irritation when they come in direct contact with them.
Therefore, gloves and eye goggles must be worn to protect the eyes and skin of the hand. The homemade version of bead sealant is however less toxic in comparison to the commercial type sold at auto shops.
When accidentally ingested by animals, depending on the quantity, it is equally unlikely to cause any serious harm. It should however be stored properly in an enclosed container.
So, let’s go into what you will need to prepare a bead sealant that is effective against a bead leak. The needed ingredients include; tap water, latex, slime for tubeless tires, glitter, and a windshield washer.
There are different formulations in terms of the proportion of each of these ingredients to be used in the formulation of the bead sealant. You are however allowed to constitute this based on your discretion and the availability of each of these ingredients.
You should how we make sure to recheck the consistency of the bead sealant before it is applied as it is susceptible to climate conditions particularly when not stored properly.
Is tire bead sealer harmful to the tire?
This depends on how the bead sealant is applied. Note that the wrong application of the sealant, particularly when too much of it is used could instead of sealing off the leak create a bead leak. Make sure what is applied is a bead sealer and not a slime tire sealant.
Also, ensure to apply correctly or seek the assistance of a professional.
How to Use Bead Sealer
How do you apply tire bead sealer? The next section, covers exactly that.
Below are the step by step guide on how best to apply tire bead sealer:
Step 1
The tire is raised above ground level with the aid of the car jack which is placed close to the affected tire in the designated part of the car.
Step 2
The lug nuts are unbolted and the tire is dismounted. The tire is then re-inflated to allow for the diagnosis of the cause of leakage.
Step 3
Following the diagnosis of a bead leak, the valve core is removed and the tire deflated.
Step 4
The tire is removed from the rim using a tire machine if available or improvisation with a pry bar or other tools such as a shovel.
Step 5
A brush is used to apply the sealant sound to the bead area in the part identified to be defective. The tire is reinstalled, and the valve is placed back in its former position and re-inflated.
If after checking and checking for leaks, the tire is found to be leaking air, it may be time to replace the tore work with a new one.
Conclusion – Is Tire Bead Sealer Necessary?
Essentially, bead sealers are only necessary when there is an indication for their use. There are however circumstances such as a cut within the bead where even these sealers fail to yield any tangible result.
This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.
I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.