[mountaindavis]

I am going to mix up my tubeless homebrew and, with all the different recipes that are available, I was hoping to check in with the local Colorado folks to see which they prefer for our low humidity. I have my base, Latex Mold Builder and Slime, but didn't know if the water, RV Antifreeze or Windex or ?? would work best. Would really appreciate the advice.

Thanks!

 

[onbelaydave]

Plain old tubeless Slime has always lasted at least 1 to 1 1/2 yrs in my tires with no refreshing. By then the tread is bare and it's time for a new tire.

 

[Jdub]

I am going to mix up my tubeless homebrew and, with all the different recipes that are available, I was hoping to check in with the local Colorado folks to see which they prefer for our low humidity. I have my base, Latex Mold Builder and Slime, but didn't know if the water, RV Antifreeze or Windex or ?? would work best. Would really appreciate the advice.

Thanks!

I have been mixing my own with latex mold builder, slime, water and antifreeze with good results. I seem to get 6+ months but it depends on the tire, some of the more porous sidewall tires seem to dry up quicker.

Regardless, the cost to make your own is about 1/5 of what the pre-mixed stuff costs.

 

[sbsbiker]

I get great results from Stan's sealant. Comes in a nice jug and lasts about 1/2 a season. Easy

 

[flowtron]

Regardless, the cost to make your own is about 1/5 of what the pre-mixed stuff costs.

I'm kind of fascinated with the DIY sealant scene.
I guess I realize that the actual cost of the amount of sealant in your tire might be 1/5 what a scoop or two of stans costs, but don't you have to spend more to buy the amounts of latex mold builder, slime and antifreeze that they sell? Then the time it takes to mix and perfect your batch? Does it work that much better than Stans?

 

[Jdub]

I'm kind of fascinated with the DIY sealant scene.
I guess I realize that the actual cost of the amount of sealant in your tire might be 1/5 what a scoop or two of stans costs, but don't you have to spend more to buy the amounts of latex mold builder, slime and antifreeze that they sell? Then the time it takes to mix and perfect your batch? Does it work that much better than Stans?

Yes, up front you have to buy a lot more mold builder, slime, antifreeze than you will need for a couple of tires. For me, I have 3 - 4 bikes that are running tubeless with sealant. I mix up a batch in a gallon jar and it lasts me well over a year in all my bikes.

The total cost for all the ingredients to make my own batch was around $35 - $40. I've made 3 gallons so far, and I've got about 1/2 of the ingredients left. Stans was costing me $15 - $20 for 32oz.

Once you mix it (takes about 5 - 10 minutes), the process is the exact same as Stans. I find it works pretty similar to Stans, nothing noticeably better but nothing noticeably worse. I haven't changed my formula much at all and I've got thousands of miles on it and I've never had a puncture it wouldn't seal.

Not for everyone but I have had great luck doing my own brew.

 

[Pau11y]

Yes, up front you have to buy a lot more mold builder, slime, antifreeze than you will need for a couple of tires. For me, I have 3 - 4 bikes that are running tubeless with sealant. I mix up a batch in a gallon jar and it lasts me well over a year in all my bikes.

The total cost for all the ingredients to make my own batch was around $35 - $40. I've made 3 gallons so far, and I've got about 1/2 of the ingredients left. Stans was costing me $15 - $20 for 32oz.

Once you mix it (takes about 5 - 10 minutes), the process is the exact same as Stans. I find it works pretty similar to Stans, nothing noticeably better but nothing noticeably worse. I haven't changed my formula much at all and I've got thousands of miles on it and I've never had a puncture it wouldn't seal.

Not for everyone but I have had great luck doing my own brew.

Jdub,
Considering throwing up your ratios and where to source your ingredients? I have multiple bikes and multiple wheelsets per bike... TIA.

 

[climbon]

Jdub,
Considering throwing up your ratios and where to source your ingredients? I have multiple bikes and multiple wheelsets per bike... TIA.

Yeah, I might also consider brewing something up... please post your formula.

 

[Jdub]

Jdub,
Considering throwing up your ratios and where to source your ingredients? I have multiple bikes and multiple wheelsets per bike... TIA.

Sure. I am running a formula I got on here, with a little twist.

The basic formula:
1 part mold builder latex
2 parts Slime tubeless sealant
2 parts water

Latex Mold Builder - I got mine at Michael's craft store place. If you are diligent, you can wait and find a 40% off one item coupon. These coupons pop up pretty often.

Slime Tubeless sealant - Auto store or Wal-Mart / Target / etc

Water - Faucet

The only thing I've done lately, which its too early to tell how useful it is, is taking an old tube and grinding some rubber bits up with a course file to put into the mix to help add some "chunks".

I mix it all up and store it in a big jar that my wife bought at one of the warehouse stores full of apple sauce. I just keep it mixed up and give it a good shake before I need a couple scoops to put into tires.

 

[Pau11y]

Sure. I am running a formula I got on here, with a little twist.

The basic formula:
1 part mold builder latex
2 parts Slime tubeless sealant
2 parts water

Latex Mold Builder - I got mine at Michael's craft store place. If you are diligent, you can wait and find a 40% off one item coupon. These coupons pop up pretty often.

Slime Tubeless sealant - Auto store or Wal-Mart / Target / etc

Water - Faucet

The only thing I've done lately, which its too early to tell how useful it is, is taking an old tube and grinding some rubber bits up with a course file to put into the mix to help add some "chunks".

I mix it all up and store it in a big jar that my wife bought at one of the warehouse stores full of apple sauce. I just keep it mixed up and give it a good shake before I need a couple scoops to put into tires.

Jdub,
Thanx! Question: didn't you say you were also putting in anti-freeze? Was this in place of water so the mix doesn't turn into a block of ice when temps drop?

 

[Jdub]

Jdub,
Thanx! Question: didn't you say you were also putting in anti-freeze? Was this in place of water so the mix doesn't turn into a block of ice when temps drop?

I did, but that was actually my first recipe I tried. I put in my ethylene glycol antifreeze (in an attempt to use less water and get less evaporation), but what I found was that the antifreeze was seeping through the sidewalls on the more porous tires and just making a thicker mix inside.

The slime actually has some propylene glycol antifreeze in it, so you get some of the benefits without getting the seeping (which is annoying to see green antifreeze on your sidewalls all the time).

I had to go look up my mixtures, and when I originally posted I had forgotten about switching the formula up. What I just posted up is what I've used for my last 2 batches of sealant, and its been better.

I've had some misses in this process before (adding glitter to help seal, HUGE mistake) and the antifreeze, but this latest mixture seems to be just about right for me.

 

[Bizzarre]

Sure. I am running a formula I got on here, with a little twist.

The basic formula:
1 part mold builder latex
2 parts Slime tubeless sealant
2 parts water

Latex Mold Builder - I got mine at Michael's craft store place. If you are diligent, you can wait and find a 40% off one item coupon. These coupons pop up pretty often.

Slime Tubeless sealant - Auto store or Wal-Mart / Target / etc

Water - Faucet

The only thing I've done lately, which its too early to tell how useful it is, is taking an old tube and grinding some rubber bits up with a course file to put into the mix to help add some "chunks".

I mix it all up and store it in a big jar that my wife bought at one of the warehouse stores full of apple sauce. I just keep it mixed up and give it a good shake before I need a couple scoops to put into tires.

I have a similar mix that I use -

Liquid latex (can be found at Michael's)
Glitter
Windshield washer fluid (currently using the orange RainX kind)

Not sure of the exact formula - but I've used this for several of my bikes and it's held up well (until the tire gets too old.) I have a jar of it already mixed up in one of my garage cabinets ready for use.

 

[Pau11y]

I did, but that was actually my first recipe I tried. I put in my ethylene glycol antifreeze (in an attempt to use less water and get less evaporation), but what I found was that the antifreeze was seeping through the sidewalls on the more porous tires and just making a thicker mix inside.

The slime actually has some propylene glycol antifreeze in it, so you get some of the benefits without getting the seeping (which is annoying to see green antifreeze on your sidewalls all the time).

I had to go look up my mixtures, and when I originally posted I had forgotten about switching the formula up. What I just posted up is what I've used for my last 2 batches of sealant, and its been better.

I've had some misses in this process before (adding glitter to help seal, HUGE mistake) and the antifreeze, but this latest mixture seems to be just about right for me.

Jdub,
Thanx for the info. As for grinding up rubber bits, I wonder if this might help:
Instead of inner tubes, use rubber electrical tape...the thick stuff that's vulcanized so it'll stick to itself. I'm thinking if you freeze it before grinding, it'll make it easier. The liquid in the mix will help keep the ground bits separated, until it gets jammed into a leak and displaces all the liquid. Anyway, just thinking out loud. That stuff is pretty cheap for a 25ft roll...$4.00 or so...
Anyway, thanx again!

 

[slimat99]

I've been running stans for two years but have only used one ust tire. Stan's dries up on me in less than 3 months typically. That's usually with 1.5 ply or dh rubber. I'm assuming most of you are using proper ust tires and that's why sealant is lasting longer for you? Is there a trick to make non ust tires hold sealant better?

 

[Pau11y]

I've been running stans for two years but have only used one ust tire. Stan's dries up on me in less than 3 months typically. That's usually with 1.5 ply or dh rubber. I'm assuming most of you are using proper ust tires and that's why sealant is lasting longer for you? Is there a trick to make non ust tires hold sealant better?

I've only been using true UST tires on my DH bike. To get the sidewalls of non-ust to seal up, try storing your wheel laying it down on its side...one night for one side, then the other for another night. You'll also use more sealant, which is why I'm asking Jdub for his brew.

 

[Jdub]

I've only been using true UST tires on my DH bike. To get the sidewalls of non-ust to seal up, try storing your wheel laying it down on its side...one night for one side, then the other for another night. You'll also use more sealant, which is why I'm asking Jdub for his brew.

I'm using a mix of UST tires, Tubeless ready tires and traditional tubed tires. Can't tell much difference between UST and tubeless ready, but some of the traditional tubed tires certainly have more porous sidewalls than others.

But like was said, I put two scoops (Stans size scoop) in a tire then air it up. I will leave it sitting on a bucket on one side for a couple hours, flip and then leave it on the other side for a couple hours. Then I've had the best luck just putting the wheel on the bike and going for a ride, that seems to help get the sealant to the places it needs to be in my experience.

Also, I have an air compressor which makes this whole process really simple. I can get some tires to seat up with a floor pump and some soapy water, but the air compressor makes it all very easy and simple, just be careful to not try and juice it up too much or you'll blow the tire of the rim and create a very messy area.

 

[lginzkey]

Glitter

First, thanks a lot for posting your formula and reporting on how it works with a variety of tires. You say using glitter was a huge mistake. Why so? I've read in a number of places that glitter helps seal punctures. Just asking because I'd like to whip up some home brew myself this season. Thanks!

 

[Jdub]

First, thanks a lot for posting your formula and reporting on how it works with a variety of tires. You say using glitter was a huge mistake. Why so? I've read in a number of places that glitter helps seal punctures. Just asking because I'd like to whip up some home brew myself this season. Thanks!

Glitter in theory sounded like a great idea to me, so I mixed a batch with glitter. I didn't find any additional puncture sealing, but I did find it made a huge mess (and continues to do so) in my workshop. I have a big bin of tires and they all have glitter all over them from two tires that I used with the glitter batch.

The glitter pieces seem to not be light enough to get to the punctures, they just get stuck all over the tire including on the bead which makes getting this seated up harder. It may work for some, but I found it to be a big mistake for my purposes.

 

[icegeek]

Skip the glitter. I've always used lawn trimmings for the fiber, scraped out from the underside of my lawn mower. It's perfect if you collect some now because it'll be well dried out and easy to handle. I've found that buffalo grass works best, but I suppose a stout Bermuda strain would work well too.

 

[Pau11y]

I've been told that the fibers in Slime is some sort of cellulosic fiber. I think Icegeek might be on to something!
So...paper mache, minus the flour...otherwise, pulped up newspaper?