Rubber revitalizer?

[p***@aol.com]

Is there any chemical, or chemicals, that revitalize rubber rollers
such as those used in phono's from the 50's? I know there are a bunch
of products out there, but $10 for two ounces of stuff is a bit much
unless it is the only way to get it. Thanks for any help. Regards,
Dave

[Michael A. Terrell]

Post by p***@aol.com
Is there any chemical, or chemicals, that revitalize rubber rollers
such as those used in phono's from the 50's? I know there are a bunch
of products out there, but $10 for two ounces of stuff is a bit much
unless it is the only way to get it. Thanks for any help. Regards,
Dave

<http://groups.google.com/group/rec.antiques.radio+phono/browse_frm/thread/8b51dcf5be1b7f51/abeb73c687789677?lnk=st&q=Rubber+revitalizer&rnum=2#abeb73c687789677>

<http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=Rubber+revitalizer&start=0&scoring=d&>

[AuroraOldRadios]

Caig used to have something but it was pricey. Generally, I would think
the rot/dryness is mostly irreversible. Anything you would use would
only be a temporary fix depending on how bad the rubber is. Colorado
air has a lot of ozone which is bad for everything made of natural
rubber including tires. Even certain relatively new (1980s) Nakamichi
cassette idler tires go bad.

[Sofa Slug]

Post by p***@aol.com
Is there any chemical, or chemicals, that revitalize rubber rollers
such as those used in phono's from the 50's? I know there are a bunch
of products out there, but $10 for two ounces of stuff is a bit much
unless it is the only way to get it. Thanks for any help. Regards,
Dave

I have been using Rawn "Re-Grip" for years and while not dirt cheap, it
works very well (top of page):
http://www.aedwis.com/rawn.html

Here is the maker's site (scroll about 1/3 of the way down):
http://www.rawnamerica.com/products.php

TEAC used to make something similar. From the smell, the main ingredient
appeared to be similar to diesel fuel and/or possibly Kerosene.

[JOHN D]

Post by p***@aol.com
Is there any chemical, or chemicals, that revitalize rubber rollers
such as those used in phono's from the 50's? I know there are a bunch
of products out there, but $10 for two ounces of stuff is a bit much
unless it is the only way to get it. Thanks for any help. Regards,
Dave

http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=MCMProducts&product%5Fid=20%2D1890
http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=MCMProducts&product%5Fid=20%2D230

[Mark Oppat]

none of the chemicals work if the surface is already hardened. If it
'cracks' when you flex it, you gotta take off the bad surface, and the only
way to do that is with precision equipment, as the idler wheels have to be
dead perfect or you will hear the flutter.

I have two treatments, I forget the first one but the second is an OLD can
of SEARS "Rubber Lubricant" in what looks like a large 3 in 1 oil can. I
dont know where I got it but it sure perks up old rubber for better
traction.

Mark Oppat

Post by p***@aol.com
Is there any chemical, or chemicals, that revitalize rubber rollers
such as those used in phono's from the 50's? I know there are a bunch
of products out there, but $10 for two ounces of stuff is a bit much
unless it is the only way to get it. Thanks for any help. Regards,
Dave

[Michael A. Terrell]

Post by Mark Oppat
none of the chemicals work if the surface is already hardened. If it
'cracks' when you flex it, you gotta take off the bad surface, and the only
way to do that is with precision equipment, as the idler wheels have to be
dead perfect or you will hear the flutter.
I have two treatments, I forget the first one but the second is an OLD can
of SEARS "Rubber Lubricant" in what looks like a large 3 in 1 oil can. I
dont know where I got it but it sure perks up old rubber for better
traction.

What does it smell like? Oil of Wintergreen is one old treatment, but
it has a VERY strong odor. I tried to get some through a pharmacy and
ended up with a bottle of synthetic, instead of what I wanted. It is
used as an external pain reliever when diluted with rubbing alcohol.

[Mark Oppat]

yep, thats what the first treatment smells like alright! Tub it on, rub it
off.

the Sears Rubber Lubricant I use second...it has an oily smell, and the you
rub it on then rub it off... they dont tell you that on the directions but
thats the way to use it.

Mark Oppat

Post by Michael A. Terrell

Post by Mark Oppat
none of the chemicals work if the surface is already hardened. If it
'cracks' when you flex it, you gotta take off the bad surface, and the only
way to do that is with precision equipment, as the idler wheels have to be
dead perfect or you will hear the flutter.
I have two treatments, I forget the first one but the second is an OLD can
of SEARS "Rubber Lubricant" in what looks like a large 3 in 1 oil can.

I

Post by Michael A. Terrell

Post by Mark Oppat
dont know where I got it but it sure perks up old rubber for better
traction.

What does it smell like? Oil of Wintergreen is one old treatment, but
it has a VERY strong odor. I tried to get some through a pharmacy and
ended up with a bottle of synthetic, instead of what I wanted. It is
used as an external pain reliever when diluted with rubbing alcohol.
--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.
Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

[Jim DeClercq]

Teac RC2 rubber conditioner, Profold Rubber roller cleaner and
rejuvenator, from printer supply places, and even, carefully, automotive
rubber seal sweller from your parts store.

Jim DeClercq

Mark Oppat <***@comcast.NOSPAMnet> writes:

: yep, thats what the first treatment smells like alright! Tub it on, rub it
: off.

: the Sears Rubber Lubricant I use second...it has an oily smell, and the you
: rub it on then rub it off... they dont tell you that on the directions but
: thats the way to use it.

: Mark Oppat


: "Michael A. Terrell" <***@earthlink.net> wrote in message
: news:***@earthlink.net...
: > Mark Oppat wrote:
: > >
: > > none of the chemicals work if the surface is already hardened. If it
: > > 'cracks' when you flex it, you gotta take off the bad surface, and the
: only
: > > way to do that is with precision equipment, as the idler wheels have to
: be
: > > dead perfect or you will hear the flutter.
: > >
: > > I have two treatments, I forget the first one but the second is an OLD
: can
: > > of SEARS "Rubber Lubricant" in what looks like a large 3 in 1 oil can.
: I
: > > dont know where I got it but it sure perks up old rubber for better
: > > traction.
: >
: >
: > What does it smell like? Oil of Wintergreen is one old treatment, but
: > it has a VERY strong odor. I tried to get some through a pharmacy and
: > ended up with a bottle of synthetic, instead of what I wanted. It is
: > used as an external pain reliever when diluted with rubbing alcohol.
: >
: >
: >
: >
: > --
: > Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
: > prove it.
: > Member of DAV #85.
: >
: > Michael A. Terrell
: > Central Florida
: >

[c***@webtv.net]

Automotive rubber seal sweller stuff.I once read an article in an auto
magazine about that stuff.(something like Transmission Seal,or something
like that) The article said it has shellac in it.It will swell up
shrunken seals to some extent,but later on the seals will shrink even
more and the seals will leak more than before.
cuhulin

[Bill Turner]

DOESN'T SOMEONE HAVE A SMALL LATHE WITH A TOOL POST GRINDER WHO COULD
MAKE A LITTLE ADDED MONEY TURNING THE OLD IDLER DOWN, CEMENTING AN 'O'
RING TO THE SURFACE AND TURN THE 'O' RING DOWN TO A FLAT SURFACE. THE
WHOLE PROCEDURE IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE ONCE YOU HAVE THE LATHE AND TOOL
POST GRINDER AND IT CERTAINLY A LOT BETTER THAN THE ASSORTED RUBBER
CONDITIONERS AND SUCH I SEE RECOMMENDED HERE.


CHECK MY WEBSITE: www.dialcover.com
Bill Turner, excuse caps, short answers, stroke.
Business SASE, each order a copy of The Pocket Resource Guide.

[Jeffrey D Angus]

Post by Bill Turner
DOESN'T SOMEONE HAVE A SMALL LATHE WITH A TOOL POST GRINDER WHO COULD
MAKE A LITTLE ADDED MONEY TURNING THE OLD IDLER DOWN, CEMENTING AN 'O'
RING TO THE SURFACE AND TURN THE 'O' RING DOWN TO A FLAT SURFACE. THE
WHOLE PROCEDURE IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE ONCE YOU HAVE THE LATHE AND TOOL
POST GRINDER AND IT CERTAINLY A LOT BETTER THAN THE ASSORTED RUBBER
CONDITIONERS AND SUCH I SEE RECOMMENDED HERE.

Well, I wasn't going to mention it yet, but yes, I do.
My recent addition to the new shop.
http://www.smithy.com/midas1220ltd.htm

Jeff

[Steven]

That's mighty nice! Congratulations!

[John Bartley]

Post by Jeffrey D Angus
My recent addition to the new shop.
http://www.smithy.com/midas1220ltd.htm
Jeff

Hmmm ... drool ... nice one Jeff. Combo lathe/mill. I'd like to have a
vertical mill too. Right now I do what milling I can on my old Atlas 10"
lathe.
--
regards from ::

John Bartley
43 Norway Spruce Street
Stittsville, Ontario
Canada, K2S1P5

( If you slow down it takes longer
- does that apply to life also?)

[c***@webtv.net]

I also own an old small Craftsman (I guess y'all could call it a model
lathe) lathe.I bought it for $10.00 at a yard sale many years ago.I dont
know a durn thing about actually operating a lathe.Look in the
classified back pages of Popular Mechanics and Popular Science magazines
once in a while.Sometimes there are some ads in there about lathes.
cuhulin

[Bill Turner]

DOES THIS IMPLY THE DESIRE TO DO THE WORK?


CHECK MY WEBSITE: www.dialcover.com
Bill Turner, excuse caps, short answers, stroke.
Business SASE, each order a copy of The Pocket Resource Guide.

[Jeffrey D Angus]

Post by Bill Turner
DOES THIS IMPLY THE DESIRE TO DO THE WORK?

Yes.

Additionally, the shop next door is Hamilton Prototypes,
so I have access to a "real" vacuum forming machine.

Jeff

[c***@webtv.net]

At sixty four years old,,,,, what I need is something that can
''revitalize'' me.Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race is on Radio (tv is actually
part of Radius = Radio) now.
cuhulin

[Bill Turner]

JEFFERY ANGUS INSTALLS NEW RUBBER ON IDLERS. FILE THIS AWAY FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.


CHECK MY WEBSITE: www.dialcover.com
Bill Turner, excuse caps, short answers, stroke.
Business SASE, each order a copy of The Pocket Resource Guide.

[Syl]

Post by p***@aol.com
Is there any chemical, or chemicals, that revitalize rubber rollers
such as those used in phono's from the 50's? I know there are a bunch
of products out there, but $10 for two ounces of stuff is a bit much
unless it is the only way to get it. Thanks for any help. Regards,
Dave

The best product available (well, maybe not in the US) is Fedron.
Ask your local photocopier repair shop, they may accept to sell
you a few ounces for a few dollars.

MEK (Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone, I hope I get this right) is also pretty good,
having seen the results.

Syl

[Gary Tayman]

I'll second the vote on Fedron; that's exactly what I use. Many, many years
ago when I worked for Xerox in DC, they came out with a cleaning kit for
typewriter platens. It was basically a pad with Fedron in it. Squeeze the
back of the pad, and it would break a tiny reservoir inside, soaking the pad
with Fedron. Then wipe the platen clean. It worked extremely well, but had
one side effect -- it has a sweet smell. I personally like it, but every
time I used it the entire office would get mad over the "horrible smell."

I'm set. Somewhere along the line I managed to pick up a gallon can of
Fedron. For me, that's a lifetime supply. It is (was) used by print shops
for cleaning metal and rubber parts. Who knows if the government has jumped
in and banned it because it works -- but who cares, I've got mine.
--
Gary E. Tayman/Tayman Electrical
Sound Solutions For Classic Cars
http://www.taymanelectrical.com

Post by Syl

Post by p***@aol.com
Is there any chemical, or chemicals, that revitalize rubber rollers
such as those used in phono's from the 50's? I know there are a bunch
of products out there, but $10 for two ounces of stuff is a bit much
unless it is the only way to get it. Thanks for any help. Regards,
Dave

The best product available (well, maybe not in the US) is Fedron.
Ask your local photocopier repair shop, they may accept to sell
you a few ounces for a few dollars.
MEK (Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone, I hope I get this right) is also pretty good,
having seen the results.
Syl

[Syl]

Post by Gary Tayman
I'll second the vote on Fedron; that's exactly what I use. Many, many
years ago when I worked for Xerox in DC, they came out with a cleaning kit
for typewriter platens. It was basically a pad with Fedron in it.
Squeeze the back of the pad, and it would break a tiny reservoir inside,
soaking the pad with Fedron. Then wipe the platen clean. It worked
extremely well, but had one side effect -- it has a sweet smell. I
personally like it, but every time I used it the entire office would get
mad over the "horrible smell."
I'm set. Somewhere along the line I managed to pick up a gallon can of
Fedron. For me, that's a lifetime supply. It is (was) used by print
shops for cleaning metal and rubber parts. Who knows if the government
has jumped in and banned it because it works -- but who cares, I've got
mine.

It IS banned from the US. I doubt you can still get any legally off the
counter.

In Canada, when the stuff is bought, the buyer must sign a form stating he
will
NOT export the product for _any_ reason and the product is tracked (from
the original container, you can of course relabel it..) Fine is extremely
"expensive".
It is on the same ban list as Freon. _Maybe_ some states still allow it but
I doubt it.

Syl

[Gary Tayman]

Well, well, I've got contraband!

Yes, this can has been around for many years, so obviously it has become
illegal since I've picked it up.

What a feeling; I can clean up rubber while y'all can't! Maybe I can sell
it on the black market for $1,000 an ounce . . .

But now I'm curious -- what's the reason? Is there some environmental
concern, just like oil wells, that prohibit us from doing it in the "dirty
ol US" while it's perfectly fine to do it in every other country?
--
Gary E. Tayman/Tayman Electrical
Sound Solutions For Classic Cars
http://www.taymanelectrical.com

Post by Syl

Post by Gary Tayman
I'll second the vote on Fedron; that's exactly what I use. Many, many
years ago when I worked for Xerox in DC, they came out with a cleaning
kit for typewriter platens. It was basically a pad with Fedron in it.
Squeeze the back of the pad, and it would break a tiny reservoir inside,
soaking the pad with Fedron. Then wipe the platen clean. It worked
extremely well, but had one side effect -- it has a sweet smell. I
personally like it, but every time I used it the entire office would get
mad over the "horrible smell."
I'm set. Somewhere along the line I managed to pick up a gallon can of
Fedron. For me, that's a lifetime supply. It is (was) used by print
shops for cleaning metal and rubber parts. Who knows if the government
has jumped in and banned it because it works -- but who cares, I've got
mine.

It IS banned from the US. I doubt you can still get any legally off the
counter.
In Canada, when the stuff is bought, the buyer must sign a form stating he
will
NOT export the product for _any_ reason and the product is tracked (from
the original container, you can of course relabel it..) Fine is extremely
"expensive".
It is on the same ban list as Freon. _Maybe_ some states still allow it
but I doubt it.
Syl

[Syl]

Post by Gary Tayman
Well, well, I've got contraband!
Yes, this can has been around for many years, so obviously it has become
illegal since I've picked it up.
What a feeling; I can clean up rubber while y'all can't! Maybe I can sell
it on the black market for $1,000 an ounce . . .
But now I'm curious -- what's the reason? Is there some environmental
concern, just like oil wells, that prohibit us from doing it in the "dirty
ol US" while it's perfectly fine to do it in every other country?

It's on a par with BPC oils as far as being a health hazard. Worse actually
as Fedron is extremely volatile. Let your can opened for an hour and it will
evaporate entirely. We can still get it in Canada, I think. Maybe I should
call my buddy who's maintaining photocopiers and ask if he still can get
it legally...

Syl

[Brian McAllister]

Post by Syl
It IS banned from the US. I doubt you can still get any legally off the
counter.
In Canada, when the stuff is bought, the buyer must sign a form stating he
will
NOT export the product for _any_ reason and the product is tracked (from
the original container, you can of course relabel it..) Fine is extremely
"expensive".
It is on the same ban list as Freon. _Maybe_ some states still allow it but
I doubt it.
Syl

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

http://www.precisionroller.com/catalog_display.php?step=3&directlink=1&cid=18833&MfrID=289
Brian McAllister

Sarasota, Florida

email bkm at oldtech dot net ***@hope.thespambots.die

[Alan Douglas]

Hi,
Out of curiosity I did a quick search for the MSDS for Fedron, and
came up with:

xylene 40-50%
ethyl acetate 5-10%
denatured ethanol 40-50%
MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone) 1-5%

The ethyl acetate would account for the fruity smell, and the odor
of xylene tends to linger also.

MIBK is fairly nasty stuff.

Alan

[John Powers]

I've used a number of things over the years. I've seen the TEAC stuff
mentioned and that was pretty good stuff.

I have a small (empty) bottle of stuff from PRB-Line (Projector-Recorder
Belt, Whitewater, WI 53190 414-473-2151) called "Rubber Cleaner Revitalizer
P/N RCR21. I bought it when the TEAC stuff ran out... worked just as well.
It says it contains Methyl Propasol Acetate (CAS# 108-65-6).

The latest stuff I have is from MG Chemicals and is called Rubber Renue
http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/408a.html. It works well also and it
says it contains Dimethyl Benzine (CAS# 1330-20-7) and Methyl Salicylate
(CAS# 119-36-8).

I was talking to a VCR repairman once who told me he always used automotive
brake fluid... I never had the guts to try it myself since I know brake
fluid eats plastic and paint.

JP

Post by Alan Douglas
Hi,
Out of curiosity I did a quick search for the MSDS for Fedron, and
xylene 40-50%
ethyl acetate 5-10%
denatured ethanol 40-50%
MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone) 1-5%
The ethyl acetate would account for the fruity smell, and the odor
of xylene tends to linger also.
MIBK is fairly nasty stuff.
Alan
--
NewsGuy.Com 30Gb $9.95 Carry Forward and On Demand Bandwidth

[Michael A. Terrell]

Post by John Powers
I've used a number of things over the years. I've seen the TEAC stuff
mentioned and that was pretty good stuff.
I have a small (empty) bottle of stuff from PRB-Line (Projector-Recorder
Belt, Whitewater, WI 53190 414-473-2151) called "Rubber Cleaner Revitalizer
P/N RCR21. I bought it when the TEAC stuff ran out... worked just as well.
It says it contains Methyl Propasol Acetate (CAS# 108-65-6).
The latest stuff I have is from MG Chemicals and is called Rubber Renue
http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/408a.html. It works well also and it
says it contains Dimethyl Benzine (CAS# 1330-20-7) and Methyl Salicylate
(CAS# 119-36-8).

The synthetic "Oil of Wintergreen" I bought from a pharmacy is 98%
Methyl Salicylate.

[John Powers]

I'll have to get some of that wintergreen and check it out... inexpensive?

JP

Post by Michael A. Terrell

Post by John Powers
I've used a number of things over the years. I've seen the TEAC stuff
mentioned and that was pretty good stuff.
I have a small (empty) bottle of stuff from PRB-Line (Projector-Recorder
Belt, Whitewater, WI 53190 414-473-2151) called "Rubber Cleaner Revitalizer
P/N RCR21. I bought it when the TEAC stuff ran out... worked just as well.
It says it contains Methyl Propasol Acetate (CAS# 108-65-6).
The latest stuff I have is from MG Chemicals and is called Rubber Renue
http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/408a.html. It works well also and it
says it contains Dimethyl Benzine (CAS# 1330-20-7) and Methyl Salicylate
(CAS# 119-36-8).

The synthetic "Oil of Wintergreen" I bought from a pharmacy is 98%
Methyl Salicylate.
--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.
Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

[Michael A. Terrell]

Post by John Powers
I'll have to get some of that wintergreen and check it out... inexpensive?

It was about six or seven dollars for two fluid ounces, but the place
I got it is high on everything. I had about 50 computer printers that
need the rollers cleaned, so I bit the bullet and bought it before I
found a print shop that would sell me commercial rubber cleaner for
seven dollars a quart.

[Mark Oppat]

" It was about six or seven dollars for two fluid ounces, but the place

I got it is high on everything"

well, YOU would be high too with all those chemicals around! ;)

sorry, had to say it....

Mark Oppat

[Michael A. Terrell]

Post by Mark Oppat

" It was about six or seven dollars for two fluid ounces, but the place

I got it is high on everything"
well, YOU would be high too with all those chemicals around! ;)
sorry, had to say it....
Mark Oppat

Into the corner, NOW! ;-)

[p***@shaw.ca]

I worked in printshops and also as a maintenence mechanic for printing
equipment.
there was a product around called rubber rejuvinator. it was intended
for use on the rubber blankets and they are expendable. the rollers
have a replacement life , which varies , there are lots of variables.

some printers would read the bottle and think it would rejuvinate their
rollers.. some of them swore by it, it does leave them looking more
resilient.
the size of the rollers is usulally important as well. they tend to
shrink with age and they swell from the solvents used to wash up the
ink. the ends swell more because the solvents can attack from the end
of the roller as well as the outside surface. the rollers generally
need to be replaced when the ends get larger than the rest of the
roller , but a couple or maybe 10 thou.

we made good money replacing rollers , especially the ones whjo loved
rejuvinator..
some loved it for the smell ,, it did get you high !

another product used is "blanket fix" this stuff is used to swell the
blanket , which gets damaged when paper crumples up and still goes
through folded up. it is a quick fix so they don't need to change the
blanket , they can wait till later..
anyway may said the "secret" ingredient is paint stripper , and many
just bought that instead. blanket fix swells the rubber just like the
rubber rejuvinator, to a lesser degree.

either product basically makes the rubber deteriorate faster, it does
give a resilient surface for a while.. but it isn't a long term fix.

other products were for basically grinding the rubber.. products
like "putz pomade" could be added to the roller train then the press
could be left to idle for a while ,, they had abrasives in a paste,,
they did remove a bit of the surface material. also left some grit
embedded in the rollers.

the only real fix is new rubber.

Phil