Once you have taken delivery of your rubber products, they should generally be stored in cold, dark, dry and oxygen-free conditions to slow the effects of rubber degradation.
WD-40 Silicone spray can work to help restore the softness of all different types of rubber seals. ArmorAll is a go-to for rubber seals in cars that are prone to drying out and cracking.
There are also a variety of home remedies for rejuvenating hardened rubber. We've heard of using brake fluid, transmission fluid, and a combination of both—something we strongly discourage. On the other hand, a combination of alcohol and wintergreen oil (3 to 1) is said to work well on rubber parts that can be soaked.
Restoring rubber can be done under the right circumstances, whether additional degradation is from heavy usage of the part, incorrect specification or design for the application in question, or the gradual degrading effect of weather.
WD40 contains a mineral (petroleum) spirit as a carrier solvent. The mineral spirit WILL soften and swell natural rubber. It is ok to use on fuel and oil hoses but NOT coolant hoses and definitely not on door and window rubbers!
As a general rule, wherever you find rubber, keep the vinegar away. The vinegar's acid can eat away at rubber just as it does natural stone. Soap and water or a solution of soap and baking soda are the best grime busters for rubber parts.
It will rot rubber. If you put petroleum jelly or mineral oil on natural rubber, that 'softening' is actually the very start of a rotting process. It's never a good idea to use mineral oil or Vaseline on any natural rubber.
In arid climates, tire dry rot can set in after as little as five years. Meanwhile, more humid environments tend to slow down the dry rot process, because they aren't as conducive to the splintering and cracking tire dry rot causes.
Over time, rubber loses its ability to stretch, becoming hard and brittle. This process of perishing occurs because exposure of the rubber to light and air induces chemical changes in the polyisoprene over time.
Because all types of rubber (whether synthetic or natural) are polymers, they're susceptible to most types of degeneration, including ultraviolet radiation, heat, cold, ozone erosion, and oxidation.
Another way to extend life is to change the color; adding carbon black prolonges the life of rubber substantially (Protection from light) and by adding antioxidants.
By far the most suitable lubrication solution for rubber is a carefully formulated emulsion of oil and water emulsion. This is because it can overpower rubber's low surface energy. Effectively, this means that emulsion-style lubricant can completely coat the surface of rubber without any beading.
As mentioned above, and unlike lithium grease, silicone lubricant is the perfect lubricant for rubber surfaces, but it is also extremely versatile, so it can be used on most other materials, including metal, plastic, wood, and even painted materials.
Silicone grease is commonly used for lubricating and preserving many types of rubber parts, such as O-rings, without swelling or softening the rubber, but is contraindicated for silicone rubber due to these factors. It functions well as a corrosion inhibitor and lubricant on non-metal-metal contact areas.
Vaseline or other petroleum products should never be used on rubber or neoprene objects. It can deteriorate the rubber or neoprene very rapidly. The correct lube to use is a silicone based lubricant, which comes with or without Teflon. This is available in spa or pool stores.
WD-40 Specialist® Silicone Lubricant safely lubricates, resists water and protects metal and non-metal surfaces such as rubber, plastic and vinyl. This formula dries fast and leaves a clear, non-staining film that doesn't stick or make a mess, so it won't attract dirt.
Coconut Oil Downsides
After all this praise, one wouldn't expect any downsides, but this does bear mentioning: coconut oil will react with rubber. It can (and will) soften (and even dissolve) the rubber in hair bands. If used as a personal lubricant, it can compromise the structural integrity condoms.
Follow these tips for using baking soda to clean rubber, plastic and wood: A baking-soda paste removes stains from plastic and rubber utensils. Apply the paste with a scouring pad or sponge. You can scrub stained plastic storage containers with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda.
While sulfur was the original plasticizer for natural rubber, you can soften most modern rubber by allowing it to soak for at least 24 hours in a solution of three parts isopropyl alcohol and one part methyl salicylate.
Both silicone spray and dry lubricant are suitable for numerous different materials, including; vinyl, wood, nylon, plastic, rubber and metal.
aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons (both have a tendency to soften rubber).
Return rain boots' luster. If your rubber wellies get chalky after a few wears, rub them with olive oil to erase the white marks. Avoid getting oil on the soles, though; it may cause you to slip next time you put them on.