[CR]"Rubber Buffer," and similar elixirs

(Example: Racing:Roger de Vlaeminck)

Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 21:08:59 -0400
From: "HM & SS Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]"Rubber Buffer," and similar elixirs

Real tire shops have a special magic fluid called "Rubber Buffer" or "Rub-R-Flux" or something like that. I'm on my second quart can now (about 10 yr/quart), and can't recommend it too highly: it is great stuff. This potion does one thing, but does it well: it removes whatever is on the surface of rubber. Grease, oil, oxidation (?), soapstone, talc, soap, silicone. The basic use is to replace sandpaper as prep for patches on tubes. Works better, by chemically cleaning the surface down to real rubber.

Tonight I was reminded that it will do the same for all sorts of other things. There was this really grubby pair of Shimano gum rubber brake lever hoods, black with grease, electrician's tape glue, and other horrid stuff. Bit of buffer on a rag, and all wipes off. No, it won't restore the gum rubber, but is sure gives the best possible appearance to what you have.

Now, this stuff isn't without its minor hazards, since it contains xylene, trichloroethylene and other stuff to which you want to minimize your exposure. But, in moderation and with ventilation, I have felt that the risk-benefit ratio is good enough for me.

harvey "not very dizzy" sachs
mcLean va