How to revive old rubber on Carb

Technical Help Forum

How to revive old rubber on Carb

Ayal 07-21-2008, 6:49 AM
Hi, there is a crack on the rubber boot between the carburator and the engine. I bought a non-cracked one on Ebay, but this rubber seems dull and may be dry. Anyone has experience in saving old rubber? Can I apray WD40 and let it sit before putting the part to use? Any other compounds?... Thanks, Ayal.

Strive to learn something new every day

Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

Anonymous 07-21-2008, 7:19 AM
EDIT: The following is regarding thick, rigid and/or SOLID rubber components NOT for delicate/thin parts!

I've had great results restoring rubber parts by lightly bead blasting them. If you're not overly aggresive, the surface will be refreshed and look darker with no loss of functionality. If you have acces to a bead blaster or even a regular old rust knocker sand blast cabinet, you can try it on your old part first to get a feel for it. If you feel like it's too damaging, walk away, no harm done.

Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

I'm going to GL 07-21-2008, 7:55 AM
Sorry, that was me having a sign-in brain fart...

1982 GL500 "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" - Hunter S. Thompson

Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

Anonymous 07-21-2008, 8:51 AM
I have always heard that water is the best lubricant for rubber, WD-40 is
a water displacer.
The sun is the worst thing for rubber,maybe suntan lotion?

Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

dtimm612 07-21-2008, 8:58 AM
I always thought silicone is good for rubber. Either a gel or a spray, I think it moisturizes the rubber. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

81 Silverwing GL500
84 Magna VF1100C (V65)

Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

dbarale 07-21-2008, 9:21 AM
Somebody posted recently about using an overnight bath in brake fluid to restore old rubber parts?
I have NOT tried it yet so you might want to test it on the old boot first...

Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

WisconsinCX 07-21-2008, 9:40 AM
I think Shep was the one letting stuff sit in brake fluid for a while,,,he was having good success.

Shep??

83 650 Silverwing Interstate Phoenix
81 Deluxe
80 Custom
78 Maggot

Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

Anonymous 07-21-2008, 11:37 AM
Hi guys, its been a long time since my last post and I hope this will be of some use to someone, I am led to believe that silicone fluid used for water proofing tents will soften these rubbers, paint it on and leave in a plastic bag for a day, to stop it drying too fast. regards Reckless_b

Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

Shep 07-21-2008, 6:57 PM

WisconsinCX wrote:
I think Shep was the one letting stuff sit in brake fluid for a while,,,he was having good success. Shep??

Nope.It wasn't me.I'm the White vinegar guy

If the boots just look dry I wouldn't worry too much.I'd dress them up with a bootblack stick.You know the type for shining shoes.I use them on the seat covers as well as they leave a nice semi-gloss and of course contain wax so they repel water

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Re: How to revive old rubber on Carb

Flash 07-21-2008, 7:04 PM
I had the same problem with cracked, dry rubber boot intakes. I used a liquid rubber called "Plastidip" and coated them with three thin coats. It has lasted three years and it saved me from buying new ones. It was about $10 at the local hardware store.