Aging rubber

[Tudorp]

Hey guys. Do you guys do, or use anything to condition aging rubber parts to keep them from turning to dust on our old 30+ year old Tamiya? I know once, the rubber starts to crack, there pretty much isn't anything to reverse the damage. But, I have a rubber switch cover on my Wild Willy that isn't cracked, but it is old, and dry. I rubbed it down with a thin coat of silicone lube that I use in my gear boxes, in hopes it might condition it a little and preserve it. Anything you guys use that has a good track record that ended up being the fountain of youth for old rubber parts? 

[Juggular]

I spray WD40 on my 1:1 tire walls once a year, to keep them the sun-soaked sidewalls from cracking.  I've used them to soften RC tires and increase the size back to normal (could become bigger than before if you let them soak for too long).  Different rubber reacts differently and they don't get any stickier for RC cars.  I'll be curious as to what other people use.  

 

[Tudorp]

They have a silicone based WD40 product also, that might even be better. 

[KEV THE REV]

I use glycerin . I coat inside and outside with a good helping of it then place them in a sealed bag for a while - 2-3 weeks or so  . I sometimes leave them in the bag for ages , it doesn't hurt them , if anything it helps . They do seem to be more supple after a soaking , the longer the better .

[Juggular]

25 minutes ago, KEV THE REV said:

glycerin

That's not the stuff that explodes, is it?

 

[waterbok]

glycerin or odorless peanut oil, but the rubber switch cover got re released with the bruiser so i would just replace it.

[KEV THE REV]

24 minutes ago, Juggular said:

That's not the stuff that explodes, is it?

Only if you use it on Nitro tyres

[Baddon]

Silicon spray (also use on the caravan window rubbers as it stops the windows sticking to the softer rubber)

[TurnipJF]

I use "dashboard milk", sold under a variety of trade names, but basically the same stuff whichever brand you go for. It works well on most plastics and rubber items, bringing back their shine and suppleness. Just don't use it on runner tyres as it pretty much eliminates all grip...

[Tudorp]

That reminds me of a funny story when I was in the Air Force many years ago. Myself and some buddies rode motorcycles. One of my best friends (still today) decided to armor-all his tires and seat. His tires and seat were very shiny with the stuff, and he pulled in next to a few of us with his newly cleaned bike, and when he hit the brakes, his seat was so slippery from the armor-all, that he slid right off his bike and to the ground. We could not stop laughing at him over that, and have never let him live that down. It comes up every now and then even today nearly 40 years later.. lol The good part of it was he learned why we never armor-all'd our bike seats.. lol. 

[Superluminal]

He was lucky it was just the seat that was slidy if hed also put it on the tyres!!

[Tudorp]

yeah, I dont think he had it on the treads too, probably jut the sidewalls. 

[Pumesta]

I use this stuff

 

 

Keeps the rubber nice a soft, and protects it from UV damage

[87lc2]

I soak my old tires in Simple Green for a few hours and it definitley helps to soften them up and give new life.  Have done a few sets of original Clodbuster tires recently and it made them look like new.

[SuperChamp82]

8 years old and still the best guide I’ve found on tyre restoration:

https://tamiyabase.com/articles/53-how-to/142-rc-tyre-preservation

The only thing I’d add is Jonny is probably focussing on shelf queens - and the silicone in WD40 works better on runners because it will get worn off before UV makes silicone a bigger problem than the tyres themselves ...

Glycerin is still by far the best solution for the shelf - with a German shiny rubber sealant over the top that acts as a veneer holding moisture in / evaporation at bay 

Name escapes me but will dig it out when I get home + post a link 👍

[SuperChamp82]

This is the German rubber sealant 

Works a treat