goto tubluars is actually a degrade, not an upgrade. I've been use tubluars, then clinchers, and soon to tubeless, now already 2 years in tubeless and i won't go back to any other options, tubeless is so good in all factors.
But i still can give you some idea about your questions cause i have've been using tubluars for around 1 and a half year also with and without sealants.
Yes, sealant works in some small puncture like metal wires. Usually i got a wire in the tire i will notice the day after my ride, it will leak in the next day, then find the wire, take out, and rotate the puncture to 6 oclock, it will be just fixed and hold presure very ok. But Bigger than a small nail won't seal.
one side effect is the inner tube comes with powder inside to keep inner tube from stick to each other, that mix will sealant will be really sticky, it can totally block valve stem, even you remove the core, it won't leak any air just within 1 month you put sealant in. And also valve core will be very easily blocked.
This can be solved by put some water with dish cleaner and wash the powder out before put on, and also put in fleash water to wash everything out then roll the tire to force all water out. Its actually not difficult, i can finish one tire in 5 minutes.
the best part of tubluars is it's so easy to change a tire at road side, with carrying a used tire with old glue on it, it just cost 2-3 minutes to tear off a tire and put on the spare one.
Anyway, you can just convert any clinchers to a tubeless only need to put on tubeless tape, why not try tubeless first before you change your wheels.
