The Ford Barn

Lawson Cox · 03-28-2022, 03:33 PM

I've watched all of the U-Tube videos and read/heard all of the sales pitches of various products and am understandably thoroughly confused, which at my age ain't unusual. What have YOU used and with what short/long term results?

V8COOPMAN · 03-28-2022, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

I've watched all of the U-Tube videos and read/heard all of the sales pitches of various products and am understandably thoroughly confused, which at my age ain't unusual. What have YOU used and with what short/long term results?

Counselor....Sometimes, you have to be ready to accept the fact that you just CAN'T make chicken salad out of chicken dookie! DD

.

jayvee34 · 03-29-2022, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Counselor....Sometimes, you have to be ready to accept the fact that you just CAN'T make chicken salad out of chicken dookie! DD

.

Best analogy yet. LOL

oldford2 · 03-29-2022, 12:41 PM

Just the reverse:
If you have something soft, how do you get it hard.

John

Lawson Cox · 03-28-2022, 04:07 PM

My Daddy always told me "Can't never did anything". He was a wise man. (Picture a laughing emoji here)

V8COOPMAN · 03-28-2022, 06:10 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

My Daddy always told me "Can't never did anything". He was a wise man. (Picture a laughing emoji here)

Picture a frowning guy who CAN'T post pictures, here.

DD

JM 35 Sedan · 03-30-2022, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Picture a frowning guy who CAN'T post pictures, here.

DD

Or picture a guy with a soft noodle in one hand and a piece of hard rubber in the other hand, who still can't post a picture

Rich-CO · 03-30-2022, 05:20 PM

Try soaking in Dot 3 brake fluid for a couple weeks.

ford38v8 · 03-30-2022, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich-CO

Try soaking in Dot 3 brake fluid for a couple weeks.

If it doesn’t liquify that soft noodle, it might be ok for rubber. You try it first.

GB SISSON · 03-30-2022, 07:37 PM

I am replacing the water pump in my 50 year old tractor and both hoses have been soaked for years by a leaking power steering pump. Both hose are in excellent condition and are so soft and pliable I wondered if they were replacement silicone hoses, but PO says no way. So, how about soaking in PS fluid? And as for the soft and hard discussion I knew it was only a matter of time for you boys~!......

ford38v8 · 03-30-2022, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

…….. And as for the soft and hard discussion I knew it was only a matter of time for you boys~!......

And you knew this how? 🥸

Lawson Cox · 03-30-2022, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich-CO

Try soaking in Dot 3 brake fluid for a couple weeks.

I have thought about that. Still considering it. I found a good length of old hardened rubber garden hose I'm gonna experiment with.

Kube · 03-28-2022, 04:13 PM

Soaking in automatic transmission fluid works occasionally.

51 MERC-CT · 03-28-2022, 04:30 PM

Back in the time when we used to use gasoline as a lubricant to sand lacquer
color coats prior to buffing and polishing, rubber squeegees were used as part of the process.
If you left a squeegee in a bucket of gas overnight, the next day the squeegee was like a limp noodle.

Lawson Cox · 03-28-2022, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Back in the time when we used to use gasoline as a lubricant to sand lacquer
color coats prior to buffing and polishing, rubber squeegees were used as part of the process.
If you left a squeegee in a bucket of gas overnight, the next day the squeegee was like a limp noodle.

Do you recall if the squeegee returned to "normal" after it "dried out"? I'll have to give that a shot. I've got to drain the tank on Apatchy anyhow, so I'll give it a shot.

51 MERC-CT · 03-28-2022, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Do you recall if the squeegee returned to "normal" after it "dried out"? I'll have to give that a shot. I've got to drain the tank on Apatchy anyhow, so I'll give it a shot.

The squeegees were, after soaking, rendered useless for the purpose but
as I recall remained softer than they originally were.

Lawson Cox · 03-28-2022, 08:17 PM

I have just been trying to follow your lengthy dissertation to me about posting pictures, DD. 'Nuff said.

ford38v8 · 03-28-2022, 08:47 PM

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.

petehoovie · 03-28-2022, 09:16 PM

Some good tips here > https://homeguides.sfgate.com/chemic...-13414995.html

Pete · 03-28-2022, 10:07 PM

What Alan said in post #10.
Common bleach (sodium hypochlorite) works sometimes. We used to soak our qualifying tires for the midget in it before it was illegal.

03-29-2022, 12:41 PM	#4
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,087	Re: Softening rock hard rubber Just the reverse: If you have something soft, how do you get it hard. John

03-28-2022, 04:07 PM	#5
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,119	Re: Softening rock hard rubber My Daddy always told me "Can't never did anything". He was a wise man. (Picture a laughing emoji here) __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

03-30-2022, 05:20 PM	#8
Rich-CO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 175	Re: Softening rock hard rubber Try soaking in Dot 3 brake fluid for a couple weeks.

03-28-2022, 04:13 PM	#13
Kube Super Moderator Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 10,539	Re: Softening rock hard rubber Soaking in automatic transmission fluid works occasionally. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

03-28-2022, 04:30 PM	#14
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Softening rock hard rubber Back in the time when we used to use gasoline as a lubricant to sand lacquer color coats prior to buffing and polishing, rubber squeegees were used as part of the process. If you left a squeegee in a bucket of gas overnight, the next day the squeegee was like a limp noodle. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

03-28-2022, 03:33 PM	#1
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,119	Softening rock hard rubber I've watched all of the U-Tube videos and read/heard all of the sales pitches of various products and am understandably thoroughly confused, which at my age ain't unusual. What have YOU used and with what short/long term results? __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

03-30-2022, 07:37 PM	#10
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 6,202	Re: Softening rock hard rubber I am replacing the water pump in my 50 year old tractor and both hoses have been soaked for years by a leaking power steering pump. Both hose are in excellent condition and are so soft and pliable I wondered if they were replacement silicone hoses, but PO says no way. So, how about soaking in PS fluid? And as for the soft and hard discussion I knew it was only a matter of time for you boys~!...... __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

03-28-2022, 08:17 PM	#17
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,119	Re: Softening rock hard rubber I have just been trying to follow your lengthy dissertation to me about posting pictures, DD. 'Nuff said. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". Last edited by Lawson Cox; 03-28-2022 at 08:26 PM.

03-28-2022, 08:47 PM	#18
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,634	Re: Softening rock hard rubber 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. __________________ Alan

03-28-2022, 09:16 PM	#19
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 11,643	Re: Softening rock hard rubber Some good tips here > https://homeguides.sfgate.com/chemic...-13414995.html __________________

03-28-2022, 10:07 PM	#20
Pete BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,423	Re: Softening rock hard rubber What Alan said in post #10. Common bleach (sodium hypochlorite) works sometimes. We used to soak our qualifying tires for the midget in it before it was illegal.