How to add tire sealant to 16 inch schrader tubes?

[BugsBunny]

I have a 16 inch folding bike (Brompton) which is a PITA to remove the rear wheel in case of puncture.

I've read that some folks add tire sealant to give it added protection. How do I go about doing that? The tubes are the Schrader type. Do I need a special tube that allows the valve to be removed as from the looks of things, the tubes I have there now have permanent valves?

Bugs

[Thoglette]

Removable valve is definitely preferable but not essential. Fire up your fave search engine and youtube away

[Duck!]

All Schraeder valves have removeable cores. Extract core, inject sealant, refit core, inflate, ride.

[BugsBunny]

All Schraeder valves have removeable cores. Extract core, inject sealant, refit core, inflate, ride.

Thanks Thoglette - and Duck to the rescue! I've seen/used removable Presta valved tubes before - and added sealant to them but never knew Schrader to have removable cores. How do I remove the inner bit? Sorry, I've found by Google a tool to do this but cant figure out how I use it to remove the inner.

[Thoglette]

How do I remove the inner bit?

The valve stem is internally threaded and the valve core is threaded externally. The valve core has space/flats either side wherein you stick the tool's prongs. Then use the tool to unscrew the inner bit. A pair of really fine needle nosed pliers can work as a substitute. Once upon a time some (metal) valve caps had the tool built into them.*

Photos from wikipedia. You can see the flats on the top of the core


*ooh, still available on fleabay and elsewhere

[BugsBunny]

Thanks Thog.

Got myself a dual (presta/Schrader) valve remover last night. And whilst I was there, the shop owner highly recommended I try the Rhino Dillo tire strips to help prevent punctures as an alternative to using sealant. But that's for another thread

Bugs

[Duck!]

Sealant is still recommended. Tyres are porous and will lose air. Sealant forms a membrane on the inner surface of the tyre to improve air retention as well as plugging puncture wounds.

[BugsBunny]

Sealant is still recommended. Tyres are porous and will lose air. Sealant forms a membrane on the inner surface of the tyre to improve air retention as well as plugging puncture wounds.

Thx again Duck.

Just did it.

Removed the Schrader valve using my new little tool and added some Caffee Latex sealant. Decided against using the rhino dillos.

Bugs.

[Jmuzz]

You can also just keep the sealant in a bottle and wait until you do get a flat before using it as first repair attempt if it seems to be a slow pinprick. It it's an obvious huge hole or pinch slice then avoid the mess and just change tube.
It goes off (one to six months, depending on brand/type) and has to be cleaned out and topped up, in the case of a tube you can never clean out.

There may also be better tyres available with better anti puncture armour.

[Thoglette]

You can also just keep the sealant in a bottle and wait until you do get a flat before using it as first repair attempt if it seems to be a slow pinprick.

+1.

[BromptonCory]

I run my Brompton with Kojaks this way. Works a treat.