Know when to top up, how much to add, and how to refill your sealant in six simple steps. Takes about 10–15 minutes per wheel — no need to remove the tire.
Treat the calendar as a starting point. The shake test and your riding conditions are the best indicators of when to refill.
Most riders in moderate conditions
Do the shake test and top up if the sealant is low or has dried out.
Hot, dry climates or frequent riding
Check sooner—heat and low humidity can dry sealant quickly.
Long, remote, or rough routes
Confirm that you can hear sealant sloshing and that the tire holds pressure.
Stan's, Orange Seal, Muc-Off, or similar
Stan's NoTubes Tire Sealant (32 oz)Often built into tubeless valve caps
Stan's NoTubes Valve Core Remover60–150 ml syringe with valve stem adapter
Stan's NoTubes Sealant InjectorOr compressor for stubborn beads
Topeak JoeBlow Sport III Floor PumpIf your pump doesn't have one built in
Topeak SmartGauge D2As an Amazon Associate, TorqueStack earns from qualifying purchases. These links help support our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Position the valve at the top of the wheel (12 o'clock). Press the valve core pin to release all the air from the tire. You want the tire fully deflated so you can remove the valve core without sealant spraying out.
Tip: Have a rag handy — a small amount of old sealant may seep out around the valve.
Using a valve core remover tool (many tubeless valve caps double as one), grip the valve core and unscrew it counter-clockwise. Set the valve core aside somewhere safe — they're tiny and easy to lose.
Tip: If you don't have a valve core tool, a small pair of needle-nose pliers works in a pinch.
Before adding new sealant, shake the wheel vigorously and hold it near your ear. If you hear liquid sloshing, some sealant is still active. If it's silent or you only hear dried clumps, the sealant has fully dried out and you'll want to add a full dose.
Tip: If you're doing a full tire teardown, peel out the dried latex "boogers" from inside the tire before adding fresh sealant.
Draw up the recommended amount of sealant into your syringe and insert it into the valve stem. Slowly push the sealant through the valve. For a top-up, use 30 ml (1 oz) per tire. For a fresh fill, use 60 ml (2 oz) for road, 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) for gravel, and 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) for mountain bike tires.
Tip: Shake your sealant bottle thoroughly before drawing it — the particles that seal punctures settle to the bottom.
Thread the valve core back into the valve stem by hand, turning clockwise. Hand-tighten firmly — just snug, not gorilla-tight. Over-tightening can damage the valve core or stem.
Tip: Wipe the valve stem opening with a clean rag before reinstalling to prevent dried sealant from jamming the threads.
Using a floor pump (or compressor for stubborn beads), inflate the tire to your recommended pressure — typically 25–40 PSI for road, 30–45 PSI for gravel, and 20–30 PSI for MTB. Then spin and shake the wheel in all directions for 30 seconds to distribute the sealant evenly across the tire's inner surface.
Tip: Lay the bike on its side for a few minutes on each side to let gravity coat the sidewalls — this is where most punctures start sealing.
The right amount depends on your tire size and whether you're topping up or doing a fresh fill.
| Tire Type | Fresh Fill | Top-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Road (25–32 mm) | 60 ml / 2 oz | 30 ml / 1 oz |
| Gravel (35–50 mm) | 60–90 ml / 2–3 oz | 30–45 ml / 1–1.5 oz |
| Mountain (2.1–2.6") | 90–120 ml / 3–4 oz | 45–60 ml / 1.5–2 oz |
| Fat Bike (3.8–5") | 120–180 ml / 4–6 oz | 60–90 ml / 2–3 oz |
Sealant dries out every 2–3 months depending on climate. Use TorqueStack to set an automatic reminder so you never ride on dry tires.
In summer heat or arid climates, sealant can dry in as little as 4–6 weeks. Check more frequently and consider adding 15–20% more sealant per fill.
Different sealant formulas can clump or react when mixed. Stick to one brand, or fully clean out the old sealant before switching.
Before every ride, give your wheels a quick shake. If you hear nothing sloshing, it's time to top up — don't wait for a flat to find out.
Connect your Strava and let TorqueStack track your sealant age automatically. Get a notification when it's time to top up — before you ride on dry tires.
Start Tracking for Free