Slime Sealant General Questions (all sealant types)
How do Slime’s sealants work?
Slime’s tire sealants coat the inside of the tire (or tube) within the tread area, allowing the product to seal tread area punctures. When the tire is punctured, the escaping air carries the sealant to the puncture. The liquid portion of the sealant escapes and the fibers and binders build-up and intertwine to form a flexible plug. This will allow the product to instantly seal punctures that occur in the tread area.
What is the difference between Slime’s different tire sealant formulations?
Slime offers specific tire sealant formulas to meet different needs. Please refer to this tire sealant comparison chart for a quick overview of which tire sealant you should use.
- Emergency Tire Sealant (yellow label) is designed for use on highway vehicles experiencing a flat tire emergency. It seals punctures up to ¼” instantly so you can quickly and safely get your vehicle back on the road and off to a tire repair station. Slime’s Emergency Tire Sealant is not a long-term solution. You should remove the formula within 3 days or 100 miles.
- Thru-Core Emergency Tire Sealant (yellow label) is also designed for use on highway vehicles experiencing a flat tire emergency. But Thru-Core offers the latest in flat tire repair technology because it injects the sealant through the valve stem (no need to remove the valve core!). Thru-Core is tire sensor safe and an alternate air source of your choice is required.
- New! 2-in-1 Tire & Tube Premium Sealant (black label) formula takes out the guesswork! Does your tire have a tube inside, or is it tubeless? Who cares?! This new sealant works in all off-highway tires and tubes to prevent and repair flat tires for up to two years.
- Prevent and Repair Tire Sealant (blue label) formula is for use on non-highway tubeless tire and can be pre-installed to prevent flat tires for 2 years on trailers, ATVs, mowers, tractors, wheelbarrows and much more!
- Prevent and Repair Sealant for Tubes (red label) formula is designed to be used on tires with inner tubes (bicycles, scooters, strollers, etc.). Pre-install into your tubes to prevent flat tires for 2 years!
What is a valve core and why do I need to remove it before installing Slime?
When you look inside the top of the tire valve, you will see a metal cylinder in the very center. This is the valve core. To install Slime, use the black valve core removal tool on the cap of the bottle to slowly twist the valve core counter-clockwise. Allow the air to slowly escape before removing the core completely. After installing Slime, replace the valve core and re-inflate the tire. If you are using Thru-Core, you should not remove the valve core before installation. Please check out our blog post, What is a Valve Core, to learn more!
How much Slime do I need?
Click here to use our Slime Calculator to determine how much sealant you need to install in your tires. Select the icon that best fits your application or enter your custom tire specs.
I installed Slime sealant and it clogged my valve. What should I do?
If your tire’s valve stem becomes clogged, use a wet rag to wipe the area around the valve. Next, remove the valve core and use a wet cotton swab to wipe the inside of the valve and the O-rings on the valve core. Re-insert the valve core and inflate the tire. If the valve is still clogged, consult your tire care professional.
Can a Slime treated tire be professionally repaired?
Yes. As long as the puncture is in the repairable area of the tire and the tire is in good condition, it can be professionally repaired with a U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association approved patch/plug at your earliest convenience. Inform the shop technician that Slime is in the tire.
Will Slime damage my rims?
If pre-existing damage is present, we do not recommend using Slime. Do not leave Slime inside your tires for more than 2 years. After that time, we cannot guarantee the integrity of your rims. Slime’s Emergency Tire Sealant formula is intended to be used as a temporary emergency repair in passenger vehicles.
Will Slime Sealant void my tire warranty?
Warranties vary by tire manufacturer. Contact your tire manufacturer for specific details.
I installed an aerosol flat tire repair product, but it didn’t work. Can I now install Slime?
No. We do not recommend or guarantee our product’s performance when mixed with another product.
I have a puncture in an inflatable (mattress, dingy, Zodiac, ball, etc.). Will Slime sealant patch it?
We do not recommend nor guarantee our products for these applications. Installing tire sealant into a wide/deep chamber without having any way to direct the sealant to the affected area would render it useless. Our products are specifically designed to repair tread area punctures in tubeless tires and inner tubes.
Can Slime tire sealant be added to a tire to balance it?
No. We do not recommend using Slime for this purpose.
What is the shelf life of Slime’s tire sealants?
Slime will last for four years from date of manufacturing when stored in its original packaging and placed in a cool, dry place. To determine the age of sealant in a squeeze bottle (not an aerosol can), locate the production date code above the label.
Here is an example: 8LX4500A18
8: Last digit of the year (i.e. 2018)
L: Month produced. A = January, B = February, L = December
X: Production Facility
4500: Sequential batch number of sealant
A: The sequence of batches ran that day. A = First batch, B = Second batch
18: Day of the month produced
Product produced prior to 2018 will have the date code stamped on the label in a different format. Here is an example: 09910151
099: Julian date (April 9th)
10: Year (2010)
151: Batch #
Looking for the manufacture date for Thru-Core Emergency Tire Repair sealant (aerosol can)? Please click here.
What happens to Slime’s sealants after 2 years?
Slime sealant is a liquid that may dry out over long periods of time. For maximum puncture protection and optimal performance, we recommend that Slime be replaced after 2 years. For most tires and tubes, this will also be the time period for replacement due to wear and tear.
Does Slime harden after it is installed?
No. After installation, Slime will remain liquid for up to 2 years. The Slime is actually a delivery system for fibers, rubber particles and other sealing agents. As the liquid gets forced out through the puncture, it carries along with it the larger puncture repairing ingredients which pack into and seal the hole, preventing air loss.
Is Slime tire sensor safe?
Yes. There are two Slime formulas that are tire pressure monitoring safe (TPMS) safe. Look for the yellow label Emergency Tire Sealant formula for highway vehicles or the blue label Prevent and Repair Tire Sealant for non-highway tubeless tires. Both bottles have the Tire Sensor Safe icon. The Slime Prevent and Repair Sealant for Tubes (red label) is not TPMS safe (few tires with tubes have TPMS sensors).
Do I need to use a tire jack when installing Slime?
You shouldn’t need a tire jack unless the wheel has separated from the rim.
What’s the best way to inflate/deflate a Slime treated tire?
Whenever possible, we recommend rotating the tire so the valve stem is in the upper half of the tire, away from any sealant that may pool at the base of the tire. Then simply inflate/deflate as you normally would.
I have a tractor tire that contains a saline solution for ballast. Can I install Slime?
No. We cannot recommend or guarantee our product’s performance if added to a tire that already contains another product or liquid. If you would like to have the protection of Slime, you would need to remove the ballast solution and replace it with Slime.
Can I use Slime on low profile tires?
Yes. We recommend using the yellow label Emergency Tire Sealant if your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Please use Slime only as an emergency repair on any passenger vehicle tire. A passenger vehicle tire treated with Slime should be taken to a tire repair shop at your earliest convenience for a permanent repair. Please tell your repair specialist that Slime is in the tire and ask for an U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association approved repair.