Need Expertise on Rubber Softeners

Spot wrote:

Thanks for the help everyone! I tried the boiling water. They were soft until they made contact with the carb. The metal cooled them and they stayed in the position they were in. Since I was stretching them, they stayed stretched out.
I'm gonna order new ones, and experiment with these while I'm waiting for them to come in. I'll try vaseline on one, bleach on one, power steering fluid on one, and antifreeze on one. I'll let y'all know what happens to them.

I have been most impressed with Black Magic tire dressing. You should clean the rubber thoroughly before applying. Then clean and reapply next month and again in two months. By then I think you will see much improvement.

Hey spot,

When you said 'rubber softener' i ASSumed :whistle: you were trying only to recondition older, brittle, rubber to extend it's service etc. The vaseline ain't gunna do shit for ya if you're actually trying to stretch a rubber coupler to fit over a larger bore of some kind. Don't waste yer time on it man. :dry:

On the other hand, try the spray-on rubbing alcohol thing if you're trying to fit a tight-fitting rubber part over/onto something else. That will help a ton in those situations!

del

Spot wrote:

Looking for rubber softeners, I compiled this list from a google search:

Bleach; Gasoline; Transmission stop leak; Brake fluid; Antifreeze; Rubbing alcohol; Castor Oil; Dioctyl Sebacate (PVC plasticizer); Silicone waterproofing for re-proofing camping tents; Car racing tire conditioner (various brands).

Anyone out there experienced in reconditioning carb inlet ducts?

Okay, here's the results so far: No change from bleach, transmission stop leak, or antifreeze. No change from brake fluid (as per JMKZHI). Racing car tire conditioner: $100.00 per gallon (new inlet ducts: $50.00). Dioctyl Sepacate: $600.00 per gallon. vaseline: no, as per wrenchmonkey. Rubbing alcohol tested sat for slippery, but ancient rubber not flexible enough to expand.

Still to test: power steering fluid, PB Blaster, castor oil, Balistol, Black Magic tire dressing. (And pods, of course, if I start getting brave with the jets!).

You guys will make me an expert in no time!! More info as it comes in.

Post edited by: Spot, at: 2007/10/24 23:07

I've had good luck with GM Top End Cleaner. Makes the boots nice and pliable.

Racing tyre conditioner worked for me, cost about $20.00 (Aust) for 1 litre about three years ago , took two applications over a few days and worked well.
Tony.

But did they stay soft?

Yep, so far so good, every time I take off the carbies I take off the carb boots and soak them in Armorall for a couple of days and use my pods if I need to ride.
The boots remain soft and slip into place easily when I put them back on/into the air filter housing.
Tony

I think you have to have an EPA permit for this stuff, but when I used to fix copiers, the rubber fusing roller would get hard from the heat and pressure. This stuff would re-elasticize the material.

Made by Dupont, the product is called "Fedron."

www.teeveesupply.com/product_pages/chemicals/fedron.htm

Anyone with a few extra bucks set aside for experimentation?

KaZooCruiser wrote:

I think you have to have an EPA permit for this stuff, but when I used to fix copiers, the rubber fusing roller would get hard from the heat and pressure. This stuff would re-elasticize the material.

Made by Dupont, the product is called "Fedron."

www.teeveesupply.com/product_pages/chemicals/fedron.htm

Anyone with a few extra bucks set aside for experimentation?

Here's hoping KaZooCruiser didn't sniff too much of that stuff!

(Just teasing!)

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2007/10/25 20:29

Patton wrote:

Here's hoping KaZooCruiser didn't sniff too much of that stuff!

(Just teasing!) <br><br>Post edited by: Patton, at: 2007/10/25 20:29

ummm, maybe I already did . . ?

:blink:

Wintergreen oil and water and a boil seems to do the trick for the boys on the hondachopper.com site. Don't know what the amounts are and how long heat it for. Stuff is available at pharmacy's and health food/natural herb stores. I have not tried it.