Making rubber parts pliable again.

[David K]

Is there a product I can put parts in to give them new life before they become hard and crumbly?

[maroman]

I have heard of using ATF, but have not tried it. I have used Lestoil, an old fashioned cleaning soap found in old time grocery stores. You have to test and keep an eye on it. Might take a few days. BUT I have ruined pieces too, they blow up and dissolve. Be careful and test. I have a set of '5's floor mats that were brittle and would have broken if bent. With nothing to lose I soaked them for days in the sun, kept coating them. That was about 20 years ago, they are still soft and flexible. Is killer for tires too. The black runs off and cleans like the rubber was new.   

[z28z11]

You'd be surprised how a good soaking with clear Armor All will do - I've used is on everything from hoses to wiper blades, also even helps painted parts survive to bend another day. My convertible top installer had me put a coat on my Z11's top to protect it, still looks great after 25 years. I periodically use it on my air hoses and various electrical cords in the shop. Good stuff -

Regards,
Steve

[MO]

You'd be surprised how a good soaking with clear Armor All will do - I've used is on everything from hoses to wiper blades, also even helps painted parts survive to bend another day. My convertible top installer had me put a coat on my Z11's top to protect it, still looks great after 25 years. I periodically use it on my air hoses and various electrical cords in the shop. Good stuff -

Regards,
Steve

Sounds like a very good tip. Can you clarify "clear Armor All"?

[z28z11]

It used to be Armor All "Detailer's Advantage", spray bottle, my supply has lasted for years (so I haven't bought any in a long while). I've also used regular Armor All for the same purposes before. I was hesitant to use it on my top at first, installer recommended to apply to a soft cloth first and then lightly apply it to the top, I was satisfied with the result from the first use. Using it ever since -

Steve

[RikerZ28]

Try AT-205, I have watched Scotty Kilmer (YouTube) put it in a spray bottle and spray it on rubber bushing, radiator hoses, etc  to keep the rubber soft and pliable. Project Farm (YouTube) did some great testing on it's re-sealing capabilities, worth the watch. I also added it to my 2011 Chevy HHR with 300K on it as I had an oil leak. AT-205 stopped the leak. I was amazed.
   

[68camaroz28]

I’ve used Murphy’s oil soap which works and I had a restorer recently tell me he uses baby shampoo to rub on old tires and bag to soften and help restore on corvette restorations.

[396 SS/RS]

I've always heard Aerospace 303 was the best. I had a LoPro Truxedo vinyl tonneau cover on a Silverado I had and that was the only product approved to keep the lifetime warranty.

[MO]

It used to be Armor All "Detailer's Advantage", spray bottle, my supply has lasted for years (so I haven't bought any in a long while). I've also used regular Armor All for the same purposes before. I was hesitant to use it on my top at first, installer recommended to apply to a soft cloth first and then lightly apply it to the top, I was satisfied with the result from the first use. Using it ever since -

Steve

Thanks, appreciate the follow-up.

[cook_dw]

I’ve used Murphy’s oil soap which works and I had a restorer recently tell me he uses baby shampoo to rub on old tires and bag to soften and help restore on corvette restorations.

I did this with my gas tank filler tube hose and it was a noticeable difference on the areas that were not exposed to gas fumes.

Starting at post #412

Preservation of a 68 Camaro thread