Lazermonkey,

I am really glad you asked that question. When I went to my 4x4 to get my tire repair tools, I learned that they had migrated to a place I would have never guessed. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Fortunately that happened at home where my older son was able to redirect me to where he had moved the tools before I actually needed the them.

Anyway to get to your question, my kit uses a patch which looks like a pipe cleaner. After inserting the patch, you do indeed clip it off flush with the surface of the tire. I also saw a mechanic do that and then finish with a quick burn of a butane lighter of any protruding material. His patch worked fine.

Good luck,

John