Rubber preservation treatments...?

[iwaddell]

Was just wondering what you all use, if anything, for preserving your rubber WATCH straps.

As noticed over the years that the ones of mine that have broken seemed to have gone a little white then harder, before snapping.

Thanks
Ian

[Dr.Godzilla]

There really isn't much you can do. Rubber will deteriorate and dry out over time. The only way to stop that is to keep it in a vacuum. Living in humid environments also prolongs the life as opposed to areas with dry climate.

[doomguy10011]

I'm curious about this too.
My 6309 has a 30 year old Z22, which is slightly worn with a couple of cracks near the holes. I gave it a bit of a stress test by bending it around and it seemed to hold without breaking. Just wondering if it's alright to wear it.

[Deleted]

Keep a close eye on these old rubber straps. My G-Shock shot across the road a few years ago when the original strap went twang and I've seen some horrible photos of 6105's with smashed crystals and dents in the cases where the same thing has happened. Once rubber goes brittle that's your lot! By new or repro and stick the original in a sealed bag in a dark draw.

[scubarob99]

I rub olive oil on mine, almost like spraying armor all. They come out clean and black, I don't honestly know if any of the oil seeps in, but it's worth a try.

Rob

[iwaddell]

Interesting...and thanks for the info.

I keep an original waffle strap I got years ago, (before the crazy prices) in the dark inside a zip lock bag. It's still very flexible.

Main reason for asking is that houses in Finland tend to have very dry air all year round. I think this might have something to do with the rubber degrading on the straps that have snapped. But luckily I've noticed quick enough.

Will try the olive oil on one and see what it's like.

I do have a very good watch cleaning kit from Cartier for metal watches. (will add a pic later).
Found his site that sells a liquid that works on rubber and leather. No idea what it would be like.

WristClean rubber and leather

Found this on Citizens FAQ care section...

Q: How can I extend the life of the rubber watch strap?
A:Periodic cleaning of the rubber strap is recommended. Using an old soft toothbrush and a mild dish detergent and water, thoroughly cleanse the inside and outside of the strap. Completely rinse off any soap residue and then thoroughly dry the strap. If you expose your strap to salt water, be sure to rinse it with clear water as soon as possible. Some people even use a rubber protectant to keep the strap soft. The softer and dryer the strap is kept, the longer it will last.

[sundog]

Just a thought as I sit here in stopped traffic.

If exposure to air and light are the main causes of degredation, then why not use one of those food preserver thingies ( can't remember the name). Put the food in a special bag and it pulls a vacuum to take out the air and seal the bag.

One could even take it a step further and prefilled the bag with nitrogen and then vacuum seal it.

[Myles]

My old boss used to use this product called Fedron on the rubber rollers in laser printers. It worked a treat. It's billed as a rubber rejuvenator. Two caveats: I'm not sure if it's safe to use on polyurethane, and I'm not sure if it will irritate your skin. According to the web site, you can treat golf club grips with it, so I guess it's safe to come in contact with.

Myles

[C4L18R3]

It's UV light from everywhere that breaks down the bonds in rubber and plastics and degrades them in time.  There's really nothing you can do about it other than use the hell out of them til they break.  The better quality rubber will last longer of course compared to the poor ones.

Having said that, I would contribute that to keep your rubber straps to last and degrade less always keep them clean!  I have a Suunto that used to need a new rubber strap every 1.5 years.  I realized that it degraded / got brittle and crumbled due to dirt accumulation from regular use.  The acid/salt from sweat got absorbed and made matters worse.  I decided to clean it after each and every time I go mountain biking or hiking and guess what?  I haven't changed the strap in 6 years! 

[Adrian-VTA]

Keep the straps clean and treat them with CRC 808 -

www.crcindustries.com.au/crc-808-silicone-spray

You should be able to get that in the US. Top tip, you can use it to protect/clean/soften the rubber seals on your car also. Suitable for rubber only.

Don't use it on polyurethane, there isn't a lot you can do with PU, it pretty much returns to a powder form when the binder dies and there isn't heaps you can do. The 808 will improve the surface but won't save it.

On another note, if you like to experiment, try treating a crusty old rubber strap with a 50/50 mix of brake fluid and lacquer thinner. I've had some success with this before on other rubbers and the pickup rollers on photocopiers.

[longbike]

I am like Halo, I use that for some things, but I have been using ...." Olive Oil " for some time

and have good clean strap results. But I don't use straps at all.  Maybe for a quick use to the store

or some thing like that.

But Rubber is not .... " where it can soak in lubricant chemicals ".

That is why they can not re-use the rubber for making Tires. Once made that's it. Then they can not

dispose of it properly.

But like C4L18R3 says that is about it.

You can boil the straps, it will soften and slack a little but the Salt in Perspiration and the UV and

Gama rays from the sun is the problem. Then you have Salt Water to add to it .    

[iwaddell]

Update.

So, I have just tried the "Olive Oil" on the MM rubber that I have with the 6105 & an old Z22 flat vent that is on my SKX007.

This I have to say impressed me about how they both now look. Both look like new again.

I followed the write up from Citizen about first cleaning and drying. Then rubbed just a little olive oil into the straps. Left them for about 5 minutes, then wiped of the excess with a clean dry cloth.

So we will see how they fair now. This looks like being part of my watch care routine now, but no one tell the wife I used the expensive olive oil she bought lol!

EDIT: added some pics just for the hell of it.