[ford38v8]

It must be remembered that any and all of the products mentioned in this thread are solvents, and as such, will break down the composition of rubber as manufactured. In that less than stable condition, rubber becomes soft and gummy. Some solvents are better than others for use with rubber. The rubber industry uses toluene, which freshens up cured rubber that is to be rebonded, such as tires with recaps. If to be bonded, heat and pressure is used. If used only to freshen the surface, the end result will initially appear and feel as new, but is in fact a degradation of the original surface.