Removing old rubber band residue?

Olle · 11-12-2016, 07:36 PM

I guess we have all encountered that old rubber band that looks like it has melted and stuck firmly to the surface of the item it was wrapped around. Now I found a small lot of NOS revolver grips in mint condition, but held together with those #¤%& rubber bands. I have been able to remove most of it by scraping gently with a piece of wood, but some is still stuck and refuses to come off.

These grips are clear coated so I can't use any harsh solvents, but I figure there must still something that will either soften the rubber or maybe even dissolve it. So what do you expert collectors here do when they find one of them pesky rubber bands stuck to something fragile and expensive?

lugerholsterrepair · 11-12-2016, 08:45 PM

Olle, You might try "GooGone" It's pretty amazing and unlikely to harm the clear finish?

Edward Tinker · 11-12-2016, 08:54 PM

I used something that I thought would not hurt and it melted the grip.

I think I would try soaking in luke warm water and rubbing with a soft toothbrush first.

Ed

Caferacer · 11-12-2016, 09:08 PM

I have had luck using WD-40 to remove sticky goop from fragile things
Perhaps test on a inconspicuous area first

lugerholsterrepair · 11-12-2016, 09:32 PM

Yes, almost anything is risky..one must proceed with caution. "Goo Gone" is made with citrus oils so might be less toxic than others.

ithacaartist · 11-12-2016, 10:21 PM

Natural rubber residue would literally be a latex based substance. The product used for removing latex paint is called "Goof-Off". It smells like naphtha, so I tried lighter fluid on a spot of latex tear mender that had dripped onto a bed sheet and cured/dried in place. It removed most of the latex, the rest came right out in the next wash. It does not so much dissolve the latex as it does loosen it and make it fall apart. Naphtha is non-reactive with most finishes other than latex, so I suggest adding it to your list of possibilities. +1 for testing beforehand anything you try!

DonVoigt · 11-12-2016, 10:30 PM

Most any solvent that will get the rubber residue with also "get" the finish.

Try a hair dryer and warm up the rubber band residue, wipe it off with a rough cloth or paper towel.

Curly1 · 11-13-2016, 12:57 PM

+1 on the Goof Off

kurusu · 11-13-2016, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Most any solvent that will get the rubber residue with also "get" the finish.

Try a hair dryer and warm up the rubber band residue, wipe it off with a rough cloth or paper towel.

I, for one, would listen to a chemist.

Olle · 11-13-2016, 08:50 PM

So the results are in... or maybe I should say the lack of results...

I picked around in the shop to see what I could find, and tried (in no particular order) Goo-Gone, rubbing alcohol, Kroil, WD-40, mineral spirits and kerosene. Nothing would even touch it. I did manage to pop most of it off with a scalpel, but that was it.

I'll try a hair dryer to see if it will soften it enough to rub it off, I'm just afraid too much heat will blister the clear coat. I will probably get some Goof-Off too, just to see what it can do.

It's kinda strange that there is no well-known "house remedy" for such a common problem. Maybe I need to invent something and get stinkin' rich?

ithacaartist · 11-13-2016, 09:39 PM

No mention of the naptha/Goog-off/lighter fluid. As Mario suggests, the chemistry is different!

DavidJayUden · 11-13-2016, 10:34 PM

I'm wondering about freezing it?
dju

DonVoigt · 11-14-2016, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

No mention of the naptha/Goog-off/lighter fluid. As Mario suggests, the chemistry is different!

All are petroleum distillates; except the ones that are citrus oil based.

The advice we see in many places to "check in an inconspicuous spot" really applies here.

Do try a little heat, just not enough to "blister"!

Olle · 11-14-2016, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

No mention of the naptha/Goog-off/lighter fluid. As Mario suggests, the chemistry is different!

I wanted to try what I had on the shelf first, so like I said I'm going to get some Goof-Off. If it doesn't work, I will find a thousand uses for it anyway.

"Naphtha" can me a lot of things, IIRC it can be anything that's distilled from natural sources of hydrocarbons. Not sure about mineral spirits but I believe kerosene is sometimes referred to as naphtha. Just plain ol' gasoline might work as well, forgot to try that.

DonVoigt · 11-14-2016, 01:02 PM

Ollie,
Gasoline is a mixture of "hydrocarbons", used to be benzene and octane- among others- now is is all different.

Naptha is not kerosene, it is a much lighter cut and more volitile- but that does not mean someone called kerosene naptha.

Mineral spirits is just another "cut" of distilates, and is pretty close to kerosene- as was/is "varsol" or paint thinnner.

Whats wrong, no hair dryer in the house? Guaranteed to soften dried up/out rubber.

Olle · 11-14-2016, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Ollie,
Gasoline is a mixture of "hydrocarbons", used to be benzene and octane- among others- now is is all different.

Naptha is not kerosene, it is a much lighter cut and more volitile- but that does not mean someone called kerosene naptha.

Mineral spirits is just another "cut" of distilates, and is pretty close to kerosene- as was/is "varsol" or paint thinnner.

Whats wrong, no hair dryer in the house? Guaranteed to soften dried up/out rubber.

Thanks! I should know about that as I used to work in a refinery lab, so I just have to claim ignorance.

As for the hair dryer: I do have one, just don't have the balls... yet

DonVoigt · 11-14-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olle

Thanks! I should know about that as I used to work in a refinery lab, so I just have to claim ignorance.

As for the hair dryer: I do have one, just don't have the balls... yet

You'll try gasoline , but hesitate to try a hair dryer!

kurusu · 11-14-2016, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

You'll try gasoline , but hesitate to try a hair dryer!

Maybe ol' Olle's bald, and he ain't got no hair dryer.

Disclaimer: The dog made write this post.

PS. I ain't got no dog.

Olle · 11-14-2016, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurusu

Maybe ol' Olle's bald, and he ain't got no hair dryer.

Disclaimer: The dog made write this post.

PS. I ain't got no dog.

I'm a man, and real men don't use hair dryers. I do have one in the shop though.

kurusu · 11-14-2016, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olle

I'm a man, and real men don't use hair dryers. I do have one in the shop though.

Truth be told, I haven't got much use for a hair dryer either.

11-12-2016, 07:36 PM	#1
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	Removing old rubber band residue? I guess we have all encountered that old rubber band that looks like it has melted and stuck firmly to the surface of the item it was wrapped around. Now I found a small lot of NOS revolver grips in mint condition, but held together with those #¤%& rubber bands. I have been able to remove most of it by scraping gently with a piece of wood, but some is still stuck and refuses to come off. These grips are clear coated so I can't use any harsh solvents, but I figure there must still something that will either soften the rubber or maybe even dissolve it. So what do you expert collectors here do when they find one of them pesky rubber bands stuck to something fragile and expensive? __________________ Deer Hollow Enterprises, LLC Gun repair and restoration

11-12-2016, 08:45 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	Olle, You might try "GooGone" It's pretty amazing and unlikely to harm the clear finish? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

11-12-2016, 09:08 PM	#4
Caferacer User Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 60 Thanks: 96 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	I have had luck using WD-40 to remove sticky goop from fragile things Perhaps test on a inconspicuous area first __________________ Those who would trade liberty for a false sense of security deserve neither

11-12-2016, 09:32 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	Yes, almost anything is risky..one must proceed with caution. "Goo Gone" is made with citrus oils so might be less toxic than others. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

11-12-2016, 10:21 PM	#6
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,283 Thanks: 7,007 Thanked 2,476 Times in 1,319 Posts	Natural rubber residue would literally be a latex based substance. The product used for removing latex paint is called "Goof-Off". It smells like naphtha, so I tried lighter fluid on a spot of latex tear mender that had dripped onto a bed sheet and cured/dried in place. It removed most of the latex, the rest came right out in the next wash. It does not so much dissolve the latex as it does loosen it and make it fall apart. Naphtha is non-reactive with most finishes other than latex, so I suggest adding it to your list of possibilities. +1 for testing beforehand anything you try! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

11-12-2016, 08:54 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	I used something that I thought would not hurt and it melted the grip. I think I would try soaking in luke warm water and rubbing with a soft toothbrush first. Ed

11-12-2016, 10:30 PM	#7
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	Most any solvent that will get the rubber residue with also "get" the finish. Try a hair dryer and warm up the rubber band residue, wipe it off with a rough cloth or paper towel. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

11-13-2016, 12:57 PM	#8
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,228 Thanks: 111 Thanked 702 Times in 364 Posts	+1 on the Goof Off __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

11-13-2016, 08:50 PM	#10
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	So the results are in... or maybe I should say the lack of results... I picked around in the shop to see what I could find, and tried (in no particular order) Goo-Gone, rubbing alcohol, Kroil, WD-40, mineral spirits and kerosene. Nothing would even touch it. I did manage to pop most of it off with a scalpel, but that was it. I'll try a hair dryer to see if it will soften it enough to rub it off, I'm just afraid too much heat will blister the clear coat. I will probably get some Goof-Off too, just to see what it can do. It's kinda strange that there is no well-known "house remedy" for such a common problem. Maybe I need to invent something and get stinkin' rich? __________________ Deer Hollow Enterprises, LLC Gun repair and restoration

11-13-2016, 09:39 PM	#11
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,283 Thanks: 7,007 Thanked 2,476 Times in 1,319 Posts	No mention of the naptha/Goog-off/lighter fluid. As Mario suggests, the chemistry is different! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

11-13-2016, 10:34 PM	#12
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm wondering about freezing it? dju

11-14-2016, 01:02 PM	#15
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	Ollie, Gasoline is a mixture of "hydrocarbons", used to be benzene and octane- among others- now is is all different. Naptha is not kerosene, it is a much lighter cut and more volitile- but that does not mean someone called kerosene naptha. Mineral spirits is just another "cut" of distilates, and is pretty close to kerosene- as was/is "varsol" or paint thinnner. Whats wrong, no hair dryer in the house? Guaranteed to soften dried up/out rubber. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie