What will soften rubber parts?

[bushyb]

What will soften rubber parts?

I am looking to soften rubber gaiters that go between the fairing and the shocks. The bike has stood for a number of years; it runs great so I don’t want to strip it at all.
The fairing gaiters are of the vulcanized black rubber type. I am looking for a easy to use house / garage product that I can use to soften the rubber up and stay that way.
I have read elsewhere of a number of possibilities but would like to hear if someone has any experience with this or is a bio chemist who can recommend a cocktail to rub on the rubber to soften it and keep it that way with say maybe a maintenance period of every 3 months or so.
Hope you can help, thanks.

[Apexcarver]

I would try ATF (automatic transmission fluid)

Has worked pretty well at rejuvinating plastics and rubber for me. Basically it has additive packs to condition seals that also work to nourish the rubber.

You can get some of the "stop leak" type automotive fluids that are basically designed to swell seals, but they might over soften them.

Try the ATF and see how it works out, then experiment with the "stop leak" if it doesn't get you there.

[scout18]

Brake fluid too. I use it to soften the rubber boots for carbs.

[Lefty23]

silicone spray

[assquatch20]

Long shot, but furniture polish has many uses. It soaks right into a lot of stuff that doesn't even seem porous.

EDIT: Maybe not such a long shot. Folks have written about it for just this sort of thing.

[Rob Farmer]

Tent reproofing spray. Soak the parts in as much as you can and then bag them up and leave.

I've also had success with parts in very hot water and washing up liquid (obviously while the wife was out )

[ME 109]

I'd soften them up with a razor blade and throw them in the bin.
But that's just me.

[disston]

Replace with new rubber gaiters.

[boxerboy81]

I chucked mine years ago too!

[R100LT]

A Talk about commitment half way through the act

... Oh sorry ... Motorbikes ... I will keep it back on track

[timekeeper]

If you are one of those that thinks any amount of style is more important than safety and the function of your machine you are riding the wrong motorcycle by choosing an Airhead. They're a lot of weekend riders out there that are into the look of riding a motorcycle. Those of us who ride motorcycles are into the look. But you will stand out like a Dyke at a Playboy convention when you meet up with any real riders.[/QUOTE]

WOW..Relax..Take a pill, we are just talking about "Gaitors" here.

I agree with keeping them in place and there function but the rest of it is a little over the top.

[Cordless]

Originally Posted by timekeeper

you will stand out like a Dyke at a Playboy convention when you meet up with any real riders.

WOW..Relax..Take a pill, we are just talking about "Gaitors" here.

I agree with keeping them in place and there function but the rest of it is a little over the top.[/QUOTE]

Eh, he was just looking for a chance to use his Dyke at a Playboy convention analogy. Give him a pass.

[lake_harley]

Wintergreen Oil....mix w/water ... about 2 Oz. in a quart of water. Bring to a boil on the stove with the rubber parts to be softened. Turn it off and let it cool. It'll smell up the whole house so get permission first. I've used it on carb boots that were high $$ new, and it made them pliable enough to be useable again.

Lynn

[rufusswan]

Have heard the same about wintergreen oil, but the recipe was with Tylol instead of water and boiling. Get the wintergreen at the Walmart pharmacy.

[lake_harley]

Originally Posted by rufusswan

Have heard the same about wintergreen oil, but the recipe was with Tylol instead of water and boiling. Get the wintergreen at the Walmart pharmacy.

You probably read "Zylol" or "Zylene", or some other solvent, and maybe part water with that too. I didn't really want anything that flamable on my gas stove or it could be "Bubber Parts Flambe" in a heartbeat. I just used water from our reverse osmosis drinking water system instead. It approaches the quality of distilled water. I think the Zylene, or other solvent, is supposed to help the wintergreen penetrate and rejuvinate the rubber parts a bit better. Seemed to work with just water and wintergreen though. I think I was guided to the concoction by a link to a SOHC Forum.

Lynn