How to Rejuvinate Hardened Rubber: The rubber insert in the base plate of a 40-year old press grip has hardened with age. Is anyone in the UHH universe able to suggest how to restore...

Tarfun Loc: Red Bank NJ USA

The rubber insert in the base plate of a 40-year old press grip has hardened with age. Is anyone in the UHH universe able to suggest how to restore the rubber so I can mount the camera with confidence? Suggested alternatives will be welcomed.

Batman Loc: South-Central Texas

Tarfun wrote:

The rubber insert in the base plate of a 40-year old press grip has hardened with age. Is anyone in the UHH universe able to suggest how to restore the rubber so I can mount the camera with confidence? Suggested alternatives will be welcomed.

Try test-using Auto Transmission Fluid on it.

Tarfun Loc: Red Bank NJ USA

Thanks Batman. Will give it a try.

Dan L Loc: Wisconsin

Gasket sheet for making plumbing O-rings such as water hose.

Tarfun Loc: Red Bank NJ USA

Dan L. Thanks for that thought. I think use of gasket material would require removal of the existing hardened rubber. That is a chore I was hoping to avoid.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Tarfun wrote:

Dan L. Thanks for that thought. I think use of gasket material would require removal of the existing hardened rubber. That is a chore I was hoping to avoid.

Automotive supply stores sell rubber lubricant, which may soften it a bit. (Or not.) Once rubber has hardened and cracked though, I'm sure nothing will restore it. I think transmission fluid may make it gummy, but there is no harm in trying. (I'm no help at all, am I? :lol: ) Good luck!

physicsbob Loc: Michigan

Their is a product at electronic part suppliers called "Rubber rejuvinator" it is used to refurbish rubber belts and pulleys in electronic gear. I have used it on all sorts of rubber parts. Just use a rag or q-tip to rub it on, and wait a few minutes and wipe off. For real hard rubber it might take several applications of it

Tarfun Loc: Red Bank NJ USA

Thanks Physicsbob. Your suggestion appears very promising. Will hustle to a local electronics emporium tomorrow morning. Will post results, but that may require more than a few days because the rubber is really hard.

Tarfun Loc: Red Bank NJ USA

Thanks Leitz for responding, even though I agree with your conclusion.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

physicsbob wrote:

Their is a product at electronic part suppliers called "Rubber rejuvinator" it is used to refurbish rubber belts and pulleys in electronic gear. I have used it on all sorts of rubber parts. Just use a rag or q-tip to rub it on, and wait a few minutes and wipe off. For real hard rubber it might take several applications of it

Seconded - the stuff works pretty good on printer rollers.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Tarfun wrote:

The rubber insert in the base plate of a 40-year old press grip has hardened with age. Is anyone in the UHH universe able to suggest how to restore the rubber so I can mount the camera with confidence? Suggested alternatives will be welcomed.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7176770_restore-rubber-seals.html

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I don't want to be the only downer here, but if it's natural rubber it has outlived it's life expectancy. Even modern tire standards recommend not using tires over 5-6 years old due to hardening and blow out prone characteristics. I just replaced a set of tires with only 1500 miles on them because they were 15 years old.

Just pull off (or chisel off) the 40 year old rubber and replace it with a couple of bucks worth of new adhesive backed foam and you're good to go.

Fat Gregory Loc: Southern New Jersey

A spray 303 work OK and won't gum up the rubber...

Side Bar
OddJobber
What's the car?

Boney Loc: Huntington Beach

If the rubber is Neoprene, then Benzene will soften it and maybe even cause a little swelling if overdone. Neoprene is the most common rubbber for O-rings. Usually black. Benzene is the active ingredient in transmission stop leak treatments.
Avoid too many fumes.

Jim Bob

Tarfun wrote:

The rubber insert in the base plate of a 40-year old press grip has hardened with age. Is anyone in the UHH universe able to suggest how to restore the rubber so I can mount the camera with confidence? Suggested alternatives will be welcomed.

Gave that rubber Viagra did you?

:lol: