Rubber Protection

B

BeeJ

Guest
I have some rubber components that need protection.
Previously these rubber parts deteriorated probably due to crap in the
air (all I can figure since that is all the were exposed to over years
of sitting untouched). These components are used for light blocking
like on a camera lens and have no mechanical interfaces other than
mounting.

So would using pure silicone spray be best or what?
Spray and wipe off excess leaving a very think film or would it soak
in?

Suggstions please.
 
We need more information. (I have no idea what you mean by "used for light
blocking like on a camera lens".)

There are rubber rejuvenators, such as Fedron. Are they what you're thinking
of?
 
We need more information. (I have no idea what you mean by "used for light
blocking like on a camera lens".)

There are rubber rejuvenators, such as Fedron. Are they what you're thinking
of?
Click to expand...
As in shade device.

Never heard of Fedron. Googling ...
 
We need more information. (I have no idea what you mean by "used for light
blocking like on a camera lens".)

There are rubber rejuvenators, such as Fedron. Are they what you're thinking
of?
Click to expand...
MSDS shows it is mostly a cleaner.

I do not need a cleaner.

I need to protect from UV and air impurities that will deteriorate the
rubber.
 
"BeeJ" <nospam@spamnot.com> wrote in message
news:k42nko$4p4$1@dont-email.me...

We need more information. (I have no idea what you mean by
"used for light blocking like on a camera lens".)
There are rubber rejuvenators, such as Fedron. Are they what
you're thinking of?

MSDS shows it is mostly a cleaner. I do not need a cleaner.
I need to protect from UV and air impurities that will deteriorate
the rubber.
Click to expand...
Regardless of the what the MSDS shows, Fedron works as a rejuvenator. It can
soften badly hardened rubber.

Do you know how to use a search engine?
 
On Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:32:30 -0700, BeeJ <nospam@spamnot.com> wrote:

I have some rubber components that need protection.
Previously these rubber parts deteriorated probably due to crap in the
air (all I can figure since that is all the were exposed to over years
of sitting untouched). These components are used for light blocking
like on a camera lens and have no mechanical interfaces other than
mounting.

So would using pure silicone spray be best or what?
Spray and wipe off excess leaving a very think film or would it soak
in?

Suggstions please.
Click to expand...
The Smithsonian uses cold storage:
<http://www.si.edu/mci/english/research/past_projects/rubber_deterioration.html>

How to store rubber and plastic parts:
<http://www.epm.com/storage.htm>

I would not be so sure about your analysis. I have some instruments
with rubber feet that have turned into a sticky gooey yucky
semi-liquid mess. The problem is that out of 4 feet, only one has
deteriorated. It was something in the environment, why didn't it
attack only one rubber foot? I've seen similar situations with rubber
idlers on tape and VCR recorders. Some of these have never seen the
light of day, much less a UV lamp. My success with coating the rubber
with something that blocks UV has been dismal. I use clear acrylic
(Krylon) for this purpose to prevent deterioration of vinyl tape on
outdoor antenna installations. It works just fine for this purpose,
but not for protecting rubber. My conclusion is that UV has nothing
to do with the rubber deterioration.

Another example is an Alienware (now Dell) laptop with a spray painted
rubberized cover. The entire rubberized area is becoming sticky and
will soon turn to goo. This includes areas which are NOT exposed to
UV. If it were chemicals delivered from the users hands, it would be
localized to areas of contact. That's not the situation as the entire
surface is turning to goo. However, it might be an aromatic delivery
mechanism.

Also note that when rubber turns to sticky goo, it does so over the
entire volume of the rubber part and not just on the surface. If it
were a chemical or optical attack, it would start at the surface, and
be largely unaffected towards the interior. This is not the case,
which leads me to suspect that it is NOT caused by an external attack.

I don't know exactly what causes the problem. My best guess(tm) is
that the problem is in the manufacture of the rubber parts and paints.
There seems to be a time delay involved, where everything is fine
until some reaction occurs, causing instant self-destruction. Near as
I can tell, what happens is that the rubber breaks cross links and
returns to the petroleum based primordial tar from which it was
originally derived.

This article:
<http://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/publications/notes/15-1-eng.aspx>
suggests that plastic and rubber continuously deteriorates. The
deterioration can be accelerated by multiple sources.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
BeeJ <nospam@spamnot.com> wrote:
I have some rubber components that need protection.
Previously these rubber parts deteriorated probably due to crap in the
air (all I can figure since that is all the were exposed to over years
of sitting untouched). These components are used for light blocking
like on a camera lens and have no mechanical interfaces other than
mounting.

So would using pure silicone spray be best or what?
Spray and wipe off excess leaving a very think film or would it soak
in?
Click to expand...
There's lots of fans of "303 aerospace protectant" or something like that.
You can get it at boating places, maybe some better auto parts stores.
 
On 9/27/2012 9:13 PM, Cydrome Leader wrote:
BeeJ<nospam@spamnot.com> wrote:
I have some rubber components that need protection.
Previously these rubber parts deteriorated probably due to crap in the
air (all I can figure since that is all the were exposed to over years
of sitting untouched). These components are used for light blocking
like on a camera lens and have no mechanical interfaces other than
mounting.

So would using pure silicone spray be best or what?
Spray and wipe off excess leaving a very think film or would it soak
in?

There's lots of fans of "303 aerospace protectant" or something like that.
You can get it at boating places, maybe some better auto parts stores.


What's the group's experience with Armor All?
Click to expand...
Seems to help non-porous surfaces, but I'd like something
that would help with the foam stuff that lines instrument cases.
 
What's the group's experience with Armor All?
Seems to help non-porous surfaces, but I'd like something
that would help with the foam stuff that lines instrument cases.
Click to expand...
That foam stuff isn't rubber, and it generally takes a long time (at least a
decade) to deteriorate.

Being porous, the foam's surface area is huge. You'd have to soak the foam
in the protectant! The protectant would wind up coating the equipment.

If there were some chemical that absorbed "bad chemicals" that promoted the
deterioration, it could be put within the case, in a porous bag.

I have several Pelican cases for photo and electronic equipment. They're
about 10 years old, and the foam shows no sign of deterioration. If it does
start disintegrating, I'll be able to buy a replacement insert (probably).
 
On 27/09/2012 22:32, BeeJ wrote:
I have some rubber components that need protection.
Previously these rubber parts deteriorated probably due to crap in the
air (all I can figure since that is all the were exposed to over years
of sitting untouched). These components are used for light blocking
like on a camera lens and have no mechanical interfaces other than
mounting.

So would using pure silicone spray be best or what?
Spray and wipe off excess leaving a very think film or would it soak in?

Suggstions please.


Thought I'd wandered into the wrong NG when I saw the heading 'Rubber
Click to expand...
Protection' ...
 
The OP did not answer my question as to whether he knew how to use a search
engine.

Googling "rubber protectant" brings up over one million responses. Here's
one...

http://www.autogeek.net/lexol-rubber-protectant.html

By the way, the thing that protects a lens is a called a lens hood or lens
shade. Other than generic models, they are no longer made of rubber.
 
On Fri, 28 Sep 2012 06:26:39 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
<grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

The OP did not answer my question as to whether he knew how to use a search
engine.

Googling "rubber protectant" brings up over one million responses. Here's
one...

http://www.autogeek.net/lexol-rubber-protectant.html

By the way, the thing that protects a lens is a called a lens hood or lens
shade. Other than generic models, they are no longer made of rubber.

The fact is that very few 'rubber' items are actually made from the
Click to expand...
sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Rather, you are probably
dealing with synthetic rubber, i.e. a flexible plastic. Natural
rubber itself deteriorates from exposure to UV and to air.
Stabilizers are incorporated into both natural and synthetic rubbers
to increase durability. Depending on the stabilizers used, 'rubber'
items will either get brittle or gummy when they age.

Spraying with a silicone compound won't help. The best you can do is
remanufacture the part from a silicone based material.

PlainBill
 
On Sep 28, 8:26 am, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net>
wrote:
The OP did not answer my question as to whether he knew how to use a search
engine.

Googling "rubber protectant" brings up over one million responses. Here's
one...

http://www.autogeek.net/lexol-rubber-protectant.html

By the way, the thing that protects a lens is a called a lens hood or lens
shade. Other than generic models, they are no longer made of rubber.
Click to expand...
So that is what the OP was talking about, I figured if it was a lens
hood he would have know enough to call it that.
 
On Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:32:30 -0700, BeeJ <nospam@spamnot.com> wrote:

I have some rubber components that need protection.
Previously these rubber parts deteriorated probably due to crap in the
air (all I can figure since that is all the were exposed to over years
of sitting untouched). These components are used for light blocking
like on a camera lens and have no mechanical interfaces other than
mounting.

So would using pure silicone spray be best or what?
Spray and wipe off excess leaving a very think film or would it soak
in?

Suggstions please.

The Smithsonian uses cold storage:
http://www.si.edu/mci/english/research/past_projects/rubber_deterioration.html

How to store rubber and plastic parts:
http://www.epm.com/storage.htm

I would not be so sure about your analysis. I have some instruments
with rubber feet that have turned into a sticky gooey yucky
semi-liquid mess. The problem is that out of 4 feet, only one has
deteriorated. It was something in the environment, why didn't it
attack only one rubber foot? I've seen similar situations with rubber
idlers on tape and VCR recorders. Some of these have never seen the
light of day, much less a UV lamp. My success with coating the rubber
with something that blocks UV has been dismal. I use clear acrylic
(Krylon) for this purpose to prevent deterioration of vinyl tape on
outdoor antenna installations. It works just fine for this purpose,
but not for protecting rubber. My conclusion is that UV has nothing
to do with the rubber deterioration.

Another example is an Alienware (now Dell) laptop with a spray painted
rubberized cover. The entire rubberized area is becoming sticky and
will soon turn to goo. This includes areas which are NOT exposed to
UV. If it were chemicals delivered from the users hands, it would be
localized to areas of contact. That's not the situation as the entire
surface is turning to goo. However, it might be an aromatic delivery
mechanism.

Also note that when rubber turns to sticky goo, it does so over the
entire volume of the rubber part and not just on the surface. If it
were a chemical or optical attack, it would start at the surface, and
be largely unaffected towards the interior. This is not the case,
which leads me to suspect that it is NOT caused by an external attack.

I don't know exactly what causes the problem. My best guess(tm) is
that the problem is in the manufacture of the rubber parts and paints.
There seems to be a time delay involved, where everything is fine
until some reaction occurs, causing instant self-destruction. Near as
I can tell, what happens is that the rubber breaks cross links and
returns to the petroleum based primordial tar from which it was
originally derived.

This article:
http://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/publications/notes/15-1-eng.aspx
suggests that plastic and rubber continuously deteriorates. The
deterioration can be accelerated by multiple sources.
Click to expand...
Don't be too sure.
Yes rubber get attacked by smog or other air pollutants.

Yes rubber and plastic does deteriorate / break down over time based on
the chemicals used in the formulation. Some plastics turn hard and
brittle, some turn to goo. The steering wheel on my truck goos out
now. The plastic connectors on the engine wiring harness are now
brittle and break easily.

As far as one out of four feet, well that can be totally based on
something else. If that bad foot is near a fan circulating air the its
environment is totally different than the other three. Other
possibilities abound. Is that foot near some other device that makes
it slightly warmer than the others, etc etc. Envirnomental problems.

Just saying it is difficult to blame on only one thing.
 
Chemically there are two Armour All products.
The cleaner is a solvent that will attack stuff and I would never use
it. This based on car magazines of a decade or so ago.
The stuff that goes on the tires seems less problematic and might be
helpful.
Best as I can remember.
 
On Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:37:30 -0700, mike <spamme9@gmail.com> wrote:

What's the group's experience with Armor All?
Click to expand...
Which Armor All product?
<http://www.armorall.com.au/content.aspx?id=81>

Seems to help non-porous surfaces, but I'd like something
that would help with the foam stuff that lines instrument cases.
Click to expand...
The foam is porous. Spray with Armor all and you'll end up with a
soggy wet sponge.

You can inject air bubbles into almost anything and create a foam like
material. Polyurethane, Polyethylene, Silicon, Styrene, Neoprene, etc
are common materials. Offhand, I suspect that silicon or
fluorosilicone foam or sponge are the most chemically resistant and
oxidation tolerant. Something like this:
<http://www.stockwell.com/pages/materials_sponge.php>
<http://www.silicone-sponge-supply.com>
<http://www.silicone-sponge-supply.com/Silicone_Sponge_Silicone_Foam/Fluorosilicone_Sponge/fluorosilicone_sponge.html>

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
The OP did not answer my question as to whether he knew how to use a search
engine.

Googling "rubber protectant" brings up over one million responses. Here's
one...

http://www.autogeek.net/lexol-rubber-protectant.html

By the way, the thing that protects a lens is a called a lens hood or lens
shade. Other than generic models, they are no longer made of rubber.
Click to expand...
Why would I google when I have experts here to answer first.
Then I google to see if you know what you are talking about. :eek:Ţ

Suggesting to Google is a cop out. >:|
 
On Sep 28, 8:26 am, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net
wrote:
The OP did not answer my question as to whether he knew how to use a search
engine.

Googling "rubber protectant" brings up over one million responses. Here's
one...

http://www.autogeek.net/lexol-rubber-protectant.html

By the way, the thing that protects a lens is a called a lens hood or lens
shade. Other than generic models, they are no longer made of rubber.

So that is what the OP was talking about, I figured if it was a lens
hood he would have know enough to call it that.
Click to expand...
Only if what I am talking about has a lens anywhere near it.
Darn, I guess my eye counts. My hat is now a lens hood! Or is that
lens hoodie? lol
 
On 27/09/2012 22:32, BeeJ wrote:
I have some rubber components that need protection.
Previously these rubber parts deteriorated probably due to crap in the
air (all I can figure since that is all the were exposed to over years
of sitting untouched). These components are used for light blocking
like on a camera lens and have no mechanical interfaces other than
mounting.

So would using pure silicone spray be best or what?
Spray and wipe off excess leaving a very think film or would it soak in?

Suggstions please.


Thought I'd wandered into the wrong NG when I saw the heading 'Rubber
Protection' ...
Click to expand...
Nobody mentioned KY
Not Kentucky.
 
"BeeJ" <nospam@spamnot.com> wrote in message
news:k4569i$urt$1@dont-email.me...

The OP did not answer my question as to whether he knew
how to use a search engine.
Googling "rubber protectant" brings up over one million responses.
Here's one...
http://www.autogeek.net/lexol-rubber-protectant.html

Why would I google when I have experts here to answer first?
Click to expand...

Because it's respectful to do your homework first, and show that you're
worthy of assistance from experts.

We are not your servants.

I NEVER ask for help until I've done research of my own.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top