Tubeless sealant top up

[Old Codger]

Just topping my sealant up for the 4th time. I was just wondering if people just keep adding more until the tyre needs replacing or clean stuff out at some point.
Not had a tyre off yet so not sure what to expect re solidified sealant.
Before I went tubeless I had the tyre off on most rides.

 

[irie]

Just topping my sealant up for the 4th time. I was just wondering if people just keep adding more until the tyre needs replacing or clean stuff out at some point.
Not had a tyre off yet so not sure what to expect re solidified sealant.
Before I went tubeless I had the tyre off on most rides.

What sealant are you using?

 

[eaxford]

Just topping my sealant up for the 4th time. I was just wondering if people just keep adding more until the tyre needs replacing or clean stuff out at some point.
Not had a tyre off yet so not sure what to expect re solidified sealant.
Before I went tubeless I had the tyre off on most rides.

might depend on the characteristics of the sealant you are using. Stans gives you big boogers. orange seal is usually a light coat of film. google the stans boogers images

 

[RustyIron]

Just topping my sealant up for the 4th time. I was just wondering if people just keep adding more until the tyre needs replacing or clean stuff out at some point.

I use Stans, and live in the land of thorns, stickers, and goat heads. Sealant is critical. I determine the level by putting the valve at 6 o'clock, releasing pressure, and tapping the tire with a mallet. If sealant spooges out, the level is ok. Otherwise I'll squirt another couple ounces in through the valve stem.

My tires only last about three months, so often there's a lot of sealant when I replace them. I'll take that used sealant and pour it into the new tire. It's still good.

 

[steve_sordy]

I use Continental Revo sealant, no ammonia in it. Never had any problems. I just keep topping up until the tyre is worn out or gets damage so bad that it won't fix.

If I need to change the tyre for any reason and it's still got life in it, I will clean out the tyre. I use a lid from an aerosol can to scoop out the liquid. The lids are so perfect for the job that I'm sure ParkTool would sell one if it wasn't so obvious what they were doing. If there any big lumps stuck to the inside, I'll pull them off, but otherwise just wipe out with some paper towel.

I used to try to scrape off the latex coating stuck to the inside, but after a while I reasoned that it was helping to seal the tyre, and it sure didn't want to come out anyway! So I now leave it.

 

[steve_sordy]

I get these latex 3D starfish out of my tyres occasionally. I could hear it rumbling around.

 

[RustyIron]

If I need to change the tyre for any reason and it's still got life in it, I will clean out the tyre. I use a lid from an aerosol can to scoop out the liquid.

Dude! I'd say you're a genius, but that's so obvious that any fool could have thought of it. The depressing thing is that I never thought of it and usually end up spilling half on the floor. Sigh. Don't you worry about loosing the spray nozzle off your cans of spray paint when you ride to the freeway overpass at midnight? Just to be safe, I'm going to use the measuring cups that come with liquid laundry detergent. I always have a stack on hand for shock oil and brake fluid.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

My tires usually last less than a year or a season... never need to top-off. Also don't live in somewhere very hot and/or dry, typical Northeast 4 seasons.

 

[Old Codger]

What sealant are you using?

Stans original.

 

[irie]

Stans original.

Then I think the answer is this post earlier in this thread:

Stans gives you big boogers. google the stans boogers images

 

[CaptChip]

I like Stans, been using it for years. I set a reminder in my phone to check it every 6 months. Put valve at bottom and take out the stem. Use a small cable tie for a dipstick and I usually have to add 2 ounces.

 

[irie]

We have MucOff Big Bore Lite valves so with the valve at bottom just let the air out and dip through to see how much sealant in there. The MucOff Dipstick is £10 for a rod with a pretty handle so instead simply cut a spare spoke in half and use that, works fine. Then if necessary put more MucOff sealant in and reinflate using a Joe Blow Mountain Ex pump, takes just a few minutes.

 

[G-Sport]

I'm in South Yorkshire and use Stans too. Not hot enough to need topping up that often, I usually just add a little bit when switching from Summer to Winter tyres or when they need replacing. But I am confident you could leave it a year without a problem. I did get lumps in the early days but I don't seem to get them anymore, not sure why. Maybe because I switched from Maxxis to Specialized tyres? Or maybe there was something in the previous rim tape that set it off?

 

[Old Codger]

I like Stans, been using it for years. I set a reminder in my phone to check it every 6 months. Put valve at bottom and take out the stem. Use a small cable tie for a dipstick and I usually have to add 2 ounces.

I wouldn’t have thought that you’d get the correct amount all ready in with your dipstick as some will be lining the tyre, although it would be consistent. Rightly or wrongly I just put the suggested amount in and hope that it does the job.