Slime (brand)
# Slime (brand)

Slime is a publicly owned American business known for its tire sealant and other tire care products. Its headquarters are located in San Luis Obispo, California.

## History

In 1989 on the central coast of California, Steve Cegelski began blending and bottling tire sealants by hand with a power drill and drywall blade in his garage. Focused on aiding local mountain bikers and off-roaders, the sealant was often referred to as “that green slimy stuff.” The Slime name stuck and the green color became an intentional statement of the company's commitment to creating an environmentally safe product. The product line developed to include automotive applications and tire care accessories, and now comprises a wide variety of products.

In 2010, Friend Skoler & Company sold their majority share of Slime to Illinois Tool Works. Slime is now managed under ITW's Accessories Marketing business unit. Along with Genuine Innovations, Slime is the only bicycle related business that ITW owns.

## Products

Slime is primarily known for their green tire sealant, composed of fibers, binders, and proprietary clogging agents that build up and intertwine to seal punctures in inner tubes and tires. Fibro-Seal Technology is the basis of the sealant. When a puncture occurs, sealant is carried to the puncture site by the escaping air, forming a plug that stops air loss.

In addition to tire sealant, Slime also manufactures tube sealant, smart tubes, smart-spares, air tools, pressure gauges, inflators, patches, and liners. Slime tube sealant can be installed in a bicycle inner tube to prevent a flat tire.

Many compact cars now come without a spare tire, but instead come a mini compressor and a sealant to close small holes and reinflate damaged tires. Motorcycles also do not have room for spare tires, in which compact kits can make long trips a little safer. Automakers and consumer groups stress inflators are designed to seal minor punctures, not repair a large cut or a damaged sidewall.

