[Matthew_VA]

Noticed a nail in my tire today. Running Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS and website calls for a patch and plug repair. Anyone have a recommended shop in the NoVA (Alexandria/Fairfax area)?

thanks!

[BlackTalon]

Pretty much any tire shop. Best if you pull the wheel/ tire off yourself -- it makes the work easier for the shop and they can often get you taken care of quickly. Mr Tire, Firestone, etc. are all more than capable of patching. You could also go to a Craftsman Auto Care (Matt Curry) location.

[Vicegrip]

You might find that most tire stores won’t plug tires. The better plug kits are under $10 and the process is not complex.

[Matthew_VA]

much appreciated! I'll check a couple of those places out. I just wanted to make sure I found a good place since the tire is on a vintage Fuchs...

I do have a plug kit and have done plug repairs several times and was going to do it with this tire but the Bridgestone site specifically says patch and plug repair necessary.

[BlackTalon]

Bridgestone info is pure CYA. That being said, a patch vs a plug is not a bad thing. But some of us drove many track miles on plugged tires without issue.

[cmartin]

site specifically says patch and plug repair necessary.

Last thing I want is for anyone to be unsafe. I've been plugging tires for years, patch is usually a nicer repair though.

[Dr K]

Since the plug is held in place by a lump on the inside, how would you patch over that with a patch would be effective? It would seem like patch or plug not a combination of both. I said Paul Radial Tire tell me That plug is very effective, and erased many laps on a plug.

[Vicegrip]

To be honest a T patch from the inside is likely the best. It fully seals the tire from the inside and the leg of the T seals the tread from moisture intrusion into the belting
That said I have never had a plugged tire leak or fail prior to the end of service life. I once plugged a tire with a strip of T shirt slobbered up with liquid nails and shoved in with a flat head screwdriver. Promptly forgot about it until a year or so later the tire shop guys started laughing at my work while installing a new set on the work truck.