How to Repair Tire Sidewall Damage

There have been some fantastic advancements in the manufacturing of tires, but still, tires are liable to damages. However, this damage occurs as a result of punctures and cuts from sharp objects, portholes, and other impacts from road surfaces.

Eventually, the tire is made up of various parts, such as the tread, shoulder, and sidewall. Although every region is essential, the sidewall region is more crucial because it takes a lot of pressure when driving. However, this article will lead you on how to repair sidewall damage.

Causes and Types of Tire Damages

Damages on tires vary in their types and impact. Here are some prevalent causes and types of tire damage:

Causes of Tyre Damage

1. Volume of inflation

The volume of air pressure added to your tire is crucial if you want to prevent tire damage. If you over-inflate your car, it can lead to circumferential wearing off of your tire, while underinflation will lead to wearing off along the shoulder region. So it is essential to ensure accurate pressure measurement of your tire to ensure safety. Go for a professional tire service, if possible.

2. Misalignment

Another cause of tire damage is wheel misalignment. If your wheel is not fixed correctly, it will lead to tire damage. However, this sort of damage can be noticed when driving as the defaulted tire region will have a different movement when driving.

3. Wear and Tear

Wearing and tearing of tires is inevitable as long as you are using your tire. However, tires should be checked regularly, and it's not advisable to use tires over ten years from the manufacture date.

Types of Tire Damage

1. Irregular Tread Wear

The irregular tread is one of the most common forms of tire damage but the least observed. However, there are various kinds of irregular wear like one-sided, center, and heel and toe wear.

Types of Tire Damage

One side wear affects a particular area of the tire; it occurs when a wheel is not fixed correctly or misaligned. It takes place on the inner or outer edges of the tire based on the way the misalignment occurs, thereby resulting in an uneven wearing off of one side of the tire.

Center wear is a form of tire wear that occurs as a result of the over-inflation of a tire. When a tire is over-inflated, it causes the middle of the tire to bulge, thereby causing that region to have more friction with the road surface and wear out more than the other areas. 

Heel and toe wear occurs from regular car usage, but should not be underestimated. It happens when one tire wears off more than the others as they rub against the road surface.

For safety, it is advised that when your tire wears below 2mm- which is the minimum legal depth- it should be changed.

2. Improper Tire Type

There are different tires for different vehicles, but using the wrong tire for a particular car may result in damage. However, it is advised to consult a specialist or do a proper check before buying one.

3. Bulges and Cuts

This type of tire damage occurs on the sidewalls. Bulges occur from substantial impacts of hitting portholes, etc. thereby reducing the strength and air pressure of the tire, making it retain a bubble-like structure. Cuts, on the other hand, may result from friction with rough or sharp surfaces or edges.

4. Punctures

Punctures occur from piercing sharp objects on the road. It could result from a nail, glass, pins, etc. However, if the impact is active, it could amount to damaging and loss of air pressure resulting in loss of road traction and control.

5. Cracks

Cracks usually occur on the outer surface of the tire, and they are mainly caused by bad roads, sun, and normals wear and tear. Though their impacts may not be visible, in the long run, they can lead to loss of tire grip, control, and more substantial cracks if ignored.

Is It Safe to do Sidewall Tire Repair?

Professionals have frequently advised car users not to fix tire sidewall since it is too risky. The tire sidewall works differently from other parts of the tire because it carries more force when it moves in a different direction. So, fixing it is riskier as the tendency to break or explode after the repair is on the high side.

Is It Safe to do Sidewall Tire Repair?

Who can Fix Sidewalls?

Fixing a tire sidewall required a lot of expertise as any lapses can lead to a serious safety hazard. Tire experts should do it, and this recommendation is not 100% guaranteed. However, to be on a safe side, avoid cheap repairs, and go for professionals who work according to the current car fix guidelines.

Items you will need

To know how to repair sidewall damage to tires, you need the following items:

  • A tire plug
  • A tire cement
  • A plug installer( T-hand)
  • Air compressor or vacuum
  •  A cutter

Step by Step Process- How to Repair Sidewall Damage to Tires

Step by Step Process- How to Repair Sidewall Damage to Tires

Fixing a tire sidewall is not as simple as repairing the tread region, but if it's punctured a little by a nail, screw, etc. It can be fixed using tool kits. Here is a step by step method of how to repair sidewall damage to the tire.

Step 1

Deflate the tire and remove the penetrating material and pierce an awl through the hole to know the angle of penetration.

Step 2

Wipe and scrape the injury region with water(you can add soap if you wish).

Step 3

Cover the plug stem with cement and fix it to the wire puller.

Step 4

Move the plug stem in and out the injury as if you are pumping a bike tire. Push the wire puller through the injured part of the tire. Ensure the cement on the plug is still wet then pull the rubber on a steady frequency until ½ inch of rubber attached to the step plug is obvious outside.

Step 5

Take out the plug stem and fix it to the wire puller. Cover the plug with a fast dry cement.

Step 6

Force the wire puller through the damaged area from the inner part of the tire. Make sure the cement on the plugs is still wet. Drag the wire and pull slowly and steadily until 1⁄2inch of the gray rubber attached to the cap is showing outside the tire.

Step 7

Cut the remaining part of the rubber with a cutter, add some more cement and allow it to dry.

Step 8

Reinflate the tire and watch the tire for several minutes to see how effective your work is.


Before handling any material, wear gloves as the tire cement can be sticky.


When driving, drive at low speed first to check the quality of the tire patch before going at high speed, think safety first.

Watch How To EASILY Repair Damage To The Sidewall of A Car Tire

How to Repair Tire Sidewall Damage FAQs

Where is the sidewall of a tire?

The sidewall is the part between the edge and bead of the tire.

Can slime fix sidewall damage?

Slime is made to fix damages on the tread area and cannot fix damages on the sidewall.

What causes holes in the sidewall of a tire?

Holes on the sidewall can result from several factors like potholes, debris, curbs, etc.

Is it okay to replace one tire?

Yes, it is, but it's best to replace tires in sets of two or four to ensure even wearing off.

Can anyone fix the tire sidewall of a car?

 No. For safety purposes, it is advised that sidewall damage be fixed by professionals only.

Final Words & Recommendation

The sidewall of a tire is what bears most of the pressures when the tire turns or climbs any high surface. So, it is best to give diligent attention to how it is repaired. However, going by this information, you are sure to have safe and better driving experience.

David V. Williamson

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