Professionally patching a tire typically takes between 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the extent of the damage and the workflow of the tire shop.
The process involves several steps. Any good technician will start by inspecting the tire to locate the puncture and determine the nature and severity of the damage. Then, the technician will remove the wheel assembly, followed by removing the tire from the wheel. Remember, patching is done on the inside of the tire.
Once the tire is removed and the puncture is located, the technician will start cleaning and roughening the area to ensure the patch adheres properly. This is an important step, as the patch won't stick properly on a very smooth surface.
Then, the patch is applied over the damaged surface. A combination plug-patch is generally used, which both fills the hole and patches the inner liner of the tire. For a quality patch, the technician will "vulcanize" it using heat or curing agents. This not only helps with sticking but also reinforces the rubber of the tire.
Then, the tire is remounted on the rim, and if necessary, the whole wheel assembly is balanced. Once the balancing is done, the technician will reattach the wheel on your vehicle, and you will be good to go!