Forgot the subject in the subject line last time.
I thought glycerin for rubber care was maybe to obvious to even mention here:
It's a clear slimy liquid. It is used in soaps, lotions, and marital aid lubricants. It keeps chewing gum chewy and tobacco moist.
More relevant to our application, it is the main ingedient in rubber care products sold by rubber boot and boat companies.
Sometimes it'll get cracked, dry and brittle hoods supple again (I had that happen on dark brown gum hoods on NOS Zeus levers) At least it'll add some gloss to the surface. (I had hardened Mafac hoods, i couldn't get softer).
It's great for tubes, tires and bearing seals too, and in a world full of toxic mineral oil based lubricants working with it is actually good for your skin.
Tobit Linke, Dortmund, Germany
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:28:55 -0700
> From: Bill Koonce <seatown7@aol.com>
> Subject: [CR] Rubber Hood care
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Message-ID: <pve37bn7deamfjy54mx2aq1k.1277324935758@email.android.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> I should clarify that I have both black and gum NOS hoods...if that makes a difference. Someone recommended glycerine. ..but I have no idea what that is.