We’ve all been there. One second you’re mowing your lawn without a care in the world. The next, you’re staring at a severely deflated tire, wondering what the heck you ran over. While flat tires can be annoying, fortunately, there’s a wide variety of tire sealants on the market today that can help you fix leaks and holes in your tires.
Most can even be applied before you have a flat tire as a preemptive measure! Of course, all products aren’t created equal and some will work better than others. To save you the time of manually researching them yourself, we’ve put together a list of the top five sealants we’d recommend using for your lawn tractor!
Our Top Tire Sealant Picks
The Best Tire Sealant on a Budget – Slime 10009 Tire Sealant
Slime is a well-known name in the world of tire care. You can expect to get up to two years of protection from leaks and flats when using this product. Although you can technically apply this product after you’ve punctured your tire, you’d be better off applying it before your tire goes flat. When a puncture occurs, the air pressure will force the Slime inside towards the opening, instantly resealing holes up to 3mm wide.
This tire sealant could also stop slow and fast leaks from punctures as large as six millimeters.
Its non-toxic formula offers safe and easy use – it is non-corrosive, non-aerosol, non-flammable, and water-soluble.
Slime is an all-around tire sealant that works excellent for tires of ATVs, UTVs, riding lawnmowers, tractors, small trailers, scooters, and golf carts. It also works perfectly for all non-highway tubeless tires.
Pros:
- Safe for tires and rims of all vehicles
- Environmentally friendly
- Tough under a broad temperature spectrum
- Includes valve stem removal tool
Cons:
- No air pump
- Needs a separate air source
- Not for tires traveling at highway speeds
The Best Multipurpose Tire Sealant – Gempler's Ultraseal Extreme Tire Sealant
Many tire sealants are only for use with low-speed tires such as mowers, farm equipment, or ATVs. That’s not the case with Gempler's Ultraseal Extreme Tire Sealant! You can use this sealant on everything from your lawn tractor to your daily driver without worrying about leaks or blowouts.
The sealant is effective in temperatures ranging from –40°F to 300°F, so you shouldn’t have any trouble even if you live in a fairly cold area. Although this product is costly compared to the other ones on our list, we think that the wide variety of applications you can use it for justifying the cost. You will have to deflate the tire and remove the valve core to use this product.
Gempler’s Ultraseal Extreme is highly capable of sealing punctures and cuts up to half an inch in diameter. Its formulation inhibits corrosion and rusting on wheels, particularly on steel belts and tire rims.
Because of its rating for high-speed tires, you can use it on commercial, agricultural, and industrial vehicles and equipment of various sizes.
This tire sealant effectively reduces tire wear and extends its service life.
Pros:
- Conditions tire casings
- Maintains proper tire pressure
- Protects against tread separation
- Permanently seals leaks
- Improves fuel mileage
- Gallon pump included – no tiresome squeezing
Cons:
- Only available in excessive 1-gallon and 5-gallon containers
- Air source not included
The Best Lifetime Tire Sealant – FlatOut 20110 Tire Sealant
If you’re trying to find a sealant that will last the lifetime of your tires, look no further than FlatOut Tire Sealant! This unique, non-toxic formula uses Kevlar fibers to seal any punctures that may occur (up to half an inch across!). FlatOut claims this product will prevent 95% of flats that would normally occur without a tire sealant.
Unlike Slime tire sealant, you will have to completely deflate your tire and remove the valve core before applying FlatOut. Still, we think the benefits outweigh this small inconvenience!
However, like Slime, FlatOut is entirely water-soluble and non-toxic. It is safe for the environment and offers easy installation and cleanup.
Its advantage over Slime is that it can protect against punctures up to half an inch wide, and it does not contain any sticky latex or adhesives.
This tire sealant boasts over four decades of practical military, agriculture, heavy construction, delivery fleet, and industrial applications.
Pros:
- Multi-purpose for all types of vehicles
- Military-grade tire sealant
- Lifetime sealing capabilities
- Available in small and large packages
Cons:
- Tire deflation necessary
- More for prevention than for emergencies
The Best Short-term Tire Sealant – TireJect Lawn Mower Tire Sealant
This tire sealant is made specifically for lawn mower tires (although there are other sealants available for different types of tires). It protects against a variety of issues including tire rot, bead leaks, tire (tread and sidewall) punctures, and slow leaks using liquid rubber, recycled tire particles, and Kevlar fibers.
This will provide you with two years of protection, but the container is relatively small at 30oz, so it’s fairly expensive. However, you do get something not included with other tire sealants – a “Protected by TireJect” sticker!
This sealant protects against and repairs tire punctures and leaks up to three-eighths of an inch. It is relatively easy to install and offers water solubility for easy cleanup.
Additionally, it uses low-viscosity materials that will never cause vibrations.
Pros:
- Excellent for a quick flat tire fix
- Sealant injector included
- Valve core removal tool included
- Uses recycled tire particles as fillers
- TireJect offers tire inflator accessories
Cons:
- Quite pricey for its size
- Separate air source
The Best Bulk Tire Sealant You Can Buy – Marathon Industries 45008 Gal Tire Sealant
Suppose you own a big industrial farm that uses an army of tractors, mowers, and similar tools to get all the job done. You might need a more feasible solution to multiple tire leaks across all your equipment for smooth operations.
The Marathon Industries Tire Sealant offers a highly durable fix that is easy to apply on any flat tire.
This low-speed tire sealant by Marathon Industries is perfect for use in lawn tractors, wheelbarrows, ATVs, and other low-speed off-road vehicles. It uses fibers, rubber particles, and adhesives to cover the inside of your tire and quickly plug any leaks or tears up to ⅛ of an inch. This isn’t quite as effective as the other tire sealants on our list, but the advantage of this product is that you can get a gallon of the sealant for a small price!
Read also: John Deere Riding Tractor Mower Review
Pros:
- Cheapest in bulk
- Effective and long-lasting
- Quick adhesion
- Prevents and repairs flat tires
Cons:
- For low-speed vehicle tires only
- Contains some harmful chemicals
Buying Guide
Before you stock up on different kinds of lawn tractor tire sealants, it’s practical first to understand a few considerations.
Tire sealants contain chemicals that have varying shelf lives, which means they could go to waste if you have unnecessary amounts lying around.
Check out the following criteria before purchasing any tire sealant.
Preventive Application VS Emergency Use
Tire sealants are either one of two types or a combination of both. Some tire sealants are best used to prevent tire likes before they happen, while others are pretty much for emergency and temporary repair purposes.
However, some variants work well both for leak prevention and emergency applications.
If you’re looking for preventive sealants you can use regularly, choose one that offers an extended shelf life. Doing so enables you to stock up on the merchandise and avoid returning to the store more often than needed.
On the other hand, quick-fix sealants are better stocked in small quantities. You don’t need much lying around, and you’re only going to use them as the need arises.
You’ll find at least two types of tire sealants in the market: liquid and aerosol.
Liquid sealants are usually gooey, making them a bit challenging to get into a tire. The advantage of liquid tire sealants is that they work great both for emergency tire repairs and preventive measures.
Aerosol sealants, on the other hand, are single-use products that provide a more or less temporary fix for a tire leak. Applying an aerosol sealant is quick and easy, and it can have your lawn mower running again in no time. However, they do not work well for preventive applications, as the seal they form can degrade much faster.
Effectiveness of Seal
Seal effectiveness refers to the largest puncture size a tire sealant can cover with a quick repair. You’ll want a tire sealant that can save your lawn tractor or mower tires from the occasional nail, screw, or thorn.
However, avoid products that present ludicrous claims of sealing punctures that are actually too large to repair with any other tire sealant. Such sealants could be a waste of your time, and you might as well spend your money on a tire replacement.
Seal Lifespan
Seal lifespan refers to how long a cured sealant can keep the seal until your tire starts leaking in the same spot again.
Of course, you’ll want a tire sealant that could last well over a year. Would you even bother choosing a sealant that requires reapplication very soon after the previous application?
Another advantage of sealants that offer extended seal lifespans is that the applied seal also works as a preventive measure for future leaks or punctures.
Material Efficiency
Tire sealants using expertly crafted substances will only require you to use a small amount over a leak. The smaller the amount of application, the better the material efficiency.
Material efficiency could be a problem with much cheaper tire sealants. They could cost much less than a good brand, but they will require more sealant to go into your tire to ensure a secure seal.
Tire Compatibility
Many tire sealant brands offer all-around applications for varying vehicle types, such as cars, dirt bikes, ATVs, tractors, or lawnmowers. However, there could be some compatibility issues sometimes.
Lawn tractor tires come in different forms and materials, and some tire sealants might not just be compatible. Be sure that the sealant you choose will work well for your particular tires.
Sealant Only VS Full Kit
Some tire sealants come in packages that include an air compressor kit. If you already have an air compressor, you might want only to purchase the sealant you need.
Otherwise, suppose a portable compressor can be handy for you due to frequent flat tire emergencies. You could be better off with the complete sealant and air pump kit ready and at your disposal whenever you might need it.
Lawn Tractor Tire Sealant FAQs
1. How many times can you use tire sealant?
As a general rule, re-apply tire sealant within two to six months of the previous application. If you live in an area with low humidity, it is best to stick to more frequent intervals.
2. How do you seal a lawn tractor tire?
Repairing a punctured lawn mower tire is quite easy and can be done on the spot if you have the right sealant and tools.
First, look for the tire leak. The leak will often come from a nail or screw stuck in the tire's tread. If you can’t find the leak, add some air to the tire and wet its surfaces with soapy water. Find the leak in an area where the soapy solution makes bubbles.
As long as the leak is in the tire tread, you can easily seal it with tire sealant.
Once you find the leak, don’t yank on the stuck object just yet. The next thing you will have to do is add or insert tire sealant.
Remove the cap and valve stem core from the tire. Squeeze an appropriate amount of sealant into the tire through the valve. Remember to check the required amount of sealant for the size of the tire you have.
Next, reinstall the valve stem core and put air into the tire, carefully filling it up to the recommended pressure. Replace the cap, and remove the nail or screw with long-nose pliers to allow the air to push the sealant into the punctured area.
3. What is the disadvantage of tire sealant?
The most notable disadvantage of any tire sealant is that they are likely not enough to seal large cuts or punctures. Tire sealants do not have enough adhering power to secure holes caused by major flat tire issues.
Especially along the tire sidewalls where the tire material is thinnest, large punctures tend to enlarge easily and become irreparable. In that case, it is always better to just replace the whole tire.
4. Is green Slime a permanent fix?
Thick, gel-based sealants for tires, like Slime, are only a temporary fix. Such products do not create permanent seals because they do not have additives that work well as adhering agents.
Nevertheless, Slime is an excellent preventive tire sealant as long as you apply the correct amount using the proper procedures.
5. How long does green Slime last?
For best results, only use Slime tire sealant that is up to four years old from the date it was manufactured. In addition, it should have been stored in a cool, dry place and in its original packaging.
While you won’t find its expiration on the squeeze bottle, you can easily find the production date from a code written near the label. Check if it hasn’t been four years since the manufacture date.
Wrapping It Up
Do you use any of the tire sealants above? Let us know in the comments below which you've used and which is your favorite.
Check out our resources page for a complete list of all the lawn care tools/resources every lawn business owner must have!
