Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

[Claudio]

The way I see it, if cleaning it with plain watered down windex does'nt do it, then its time to replace the rollers. Trying to clean them with any harsher cleaners will only earn you an extra trip to the customer's here and there. Cheaper to fix it right the first time

[SCREWTAPE]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

I used to use wd40 on certain rubber feed rollers and path rollers. It'd seemed all good until a couple a months later, the rubber turned like a sticky putty. Bad, Bad, Bad. Jams galore. Never again. DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF SOLUTION BESIDES ALCOHOL, SOAP OR WATER.

[blackcat4866]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

I don't know about the cow flies or arthritis things, but back in the day I did get to see a guy seat the bead of a split rim tire using WD40 and fire. I've been lead to believe that is no longer possible, though. Oh, well.

Yeah, I've seen it done with starting fluid and a match. Impressive flare up. =^..^=

[Iowatech]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

Those magic erasers are awesome for most household applications (although I think they leave a residue). But you got me curious, I will have to try it out.

On the topic of Neoprene vs WD40:
Neoprene is a vulcanized polymer (making it in fact a [synthetic] rubber). I am no chemist, but I just spent some time reading about neoprene and WD40. I have found that adverse effects of WD40 when applied to neoprene are nearly nonexistent.

According to the "Technical Data Sheet" for WD40:
"Surface Compatibility
For all variations : WD-40 demonstrates none to negligible deleterious effect to plastic, rubber, and metal hard surfaces. This includes Acetal, neoprene/hard rubber, HDPE, PPS Copolymer Polysulfone, Teflon, Viton, steel, galvanized steel hot dip, electroplated, copper, brass, magnesium, nickel, tin plate, titanium, and zinc."

However, the same document does note:
"Surface Cautions
Nearly all surfaces interact with WD-40 as they would any high grade ali-phatic petroleum spirit. Certain types of rubber will swell upon prolonged immersion. Wax polishes and certain wax coatings may be softened by WD-40. Clear polycarbonate and polystyrene may stress craze or crack. Always test surfaces first."

This reminds me of my idiot friend putting power steering fluid (a purely petroleum product) in his brake master cylinder, because the power steering fluid will make the rubber seals swell, he flushed and replaced several parts to the brake system.
Alas, WD40 is not power steering fluid. I lost the link, but some guy soaked some rubber o-rings in WD40 for an entire month and they performed just fine after, although they were probably not neoprene; however, this illustrates that the petroleum prowess of WD40 is quite low.

WD40 FAQS:
"WD-40 Multi-Use Product can be used on just about everything. It is safe to use on metal, rubber, wood and plastic. It can also be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40 Multi-Use Product."

As far as I can tell, neoprene is neither a polycarbonate or clear polystyrene plastic.
Then again, I hear that WD40 will dissolve neoprene gloves...

Either way, I find it interesting that according to the interwebs, WD40 can cure arthritis, keep flies off cows, attract fish when used on bait, prevent squirrels from climbing into a birdhouse, free a tongue stuck to frozen metal in winter, et cetera.

I don't know about the cow flies or arthritis things, but back in the day I did get to see a guy seat the bead of a split rim tire using WD40 and fire. I've been lead to believe that is no longer possible, though. Oh, well.

[Synaux]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

As long as we are talking about cleaners, anybody have a take on "Mr. Clean" Magic Erasers (http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/magic-eraser.do)? We use them mainly to remove caked on toner from developer (mag) rollers during a developer change, but they seem to work nicely in other applications, too.

Those magic erasers are awesome for most household applications (although I think they leave a residue). But you got me curious, I will have to try it out.

On the topic of Neoprene vs WD40:
Neoprene is a vulcanized polymer (making it in fact a [synthetic] rubber). I am no chemist, but I just spent some time reading about neoprene and WD40. I have found that adverse effects of WD40 when applied to neoprene are nearly nonexistent.

According to the "Technical Data Sheet" for WD40:
"Surface Compatibility
For all variations : WD-40 demonstrates none to negligible deleterious effect to plastic, rubber, and metal hard surfaces. This includes Acetal, neoprene/hard rubber, HDPE, PPS Copolymer Polysulfone, Teflon, Viton, steel, galvanized steel hot dip, electroplated, copper, brass, magnesium, nickel, tin plate, titanium, and zinc."

However, the same document does note:
"Surface Cautions
Nearly all surfaces interact with WD-40 as they would any high grade ali-phatic petroleum spirit. Certain types of rubber will swell upon prolonged immersion. Wax polishes and certain wax coatings may be softened by WD-40. Clear polycarbonate and polystyrene may stress craze or crack. Always test surfaces first."

This reminds me of my idiot friend putting power steering fluid (a purely petroleum product) in his brake master cylinder, because the power steering fluid will make the rubber seals swell, he flushed and replaced several parts to the brake system.
Alas, WD40 is not power steering fluid. I lost the link, but some guy soaked some rubber o-rings in WD40 for an entire month and they performed just fine after, although they were probably not neoprene; however, this illustrates that the petroleum prowess of WD40 is quite low.

WD40 FAQS:
"WD-40 Multi-Use Product can be used on just about everything. It is safe to use on metal, rubber, wood and plastic. It can also be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40 Multi-Use Product."

As far as I can tell, neoprene is neither a polycarbonate or clear polystyrene plastic.
Then again, I hear that WD40 will dissolve neoprene gloves...

Either way, I find it interesting that according to the interwebs, WD40 can cure arthritis, keep flies off cows, attract fish when used on bait, prevent squirrels from climbing into a birdhouse, free a tongue stuck to frozen metal in winter, et cetera.

[CThurman]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

Tri-Flow (WD40 knock off) works really well. I dont use it on neoprene style bizhub rollers tho..

[Iowatech]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

As long as we are talking about cleaners, anybody have a take on "Mr. Clean" Magic Erasers (http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/magic-eraser.do)? We use them mainly to remove caked on toner from developer (mag) rollers during a developer change, but they seem to work nicely in other applications, too.

[SCREWTAPE]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

The best rubber rejuvenator is... soap and water or just replace the part if you can. I tried a couple of options which always ended up biting me in the ass.

[atwageman]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

Fedron. But like others have said, it's not recommended in todays hyper sensitive, my ass is allergic to everything type crowd.

[jose antonio]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

Denatured alcohol with acetone, really!? Acetone can seriously #$%! your world in an instant if you are not careful... Unless you are buying it mixed together with denatured alcohol or something [do the two even mix well?] I would rarely recommend using it straight.

WD40 and 91% alcohol is what I use.

We used to use rubber rejuvenator designed for printing press blankets (forget the name), but after a number of years, we concluded that it was far too abrasive for most uses (as well as the stink and you really had to put some time into rubbing...including clean-up).

Hi Synaux,

Yes i buy it locally, already mixed.
You can use it straight from the container, i've been using it for years now. Good for cleaning covers an platen glass also, and smells good too!
The product you mean is "Blanked Wash", we use it too sometimes when more aggressive cleaning is needed, and you are right about the stink.Good ventilation is needed.

[Synaux]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

For me it does not make sense to use "oil based" cleaners on rubber rollers.How do you get rid of all that
oil sticking on the rollers

In the past I always used Formula A from Xerox, now I am using Denatured alcohol 96% with acetone with good results.

Denatured alcohol with acetone, really!? Acetone can seriously #$%! your world in an instant if you are not careful... Unless you are buying it mixed together with denatured alcohol or something [do the two even mix well?] I would rarely recommend using it straight.

WD40 and 91% alcohol is what I use.

We used to use rubber rejuvenator designed for printing press blankets (forget the name), but after a number of years, we concluded that it was far too abrasive for most uses (as well as the stink and you really had to put some time into rubbing...including clean-up).

[nmfaxman]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

Registration and transport rollers, citrus solvent from Image Supply Service. Won't melt plastic on contact.

Feed rollers, simple spit and rub to get the paper dust and toner off. Organic, spread by finger, no cost chemical, acid based and spread by oils from fingers. If they don't have a tread, replace them.

[ZOOTECH]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

YES!!?!?!!

But it offends in so many ways-

Yeah, it can clear a office space quicker than one of Shadows1 farts!

[ddude]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

Fedron, old school - works great!

YES!!?!?!!

But it offends in so many ways-

[Dennison Tech]

Re: Rubber rejuvenator? any suggestions

Fedron, old school - works great!