Attempt to soften the rubber strips of the RD 285

[moderneezer]

So, you may have remembered that I bought the brushless bare floor tool from Wessel Werk (modeled RD 285). I should have posted this thread a month sooner but I was either too busy or I forgot to post the thread about what I'm going to talk about. Here's the subject.

I made an attempt to soften the rubber strips of the RD 285 by disassembling it (I had to use a flat screwdriver to do so), putting the part with the strips in a large plastic container and putting in a mixture of rubbing alcohol and wintergreen oil. Days later the rubber softened somewhat but the solution damaged the wheels. Look at the 2nd picture.

On the day I posted this thread, which is about a month later, I checked the strips' texture and they hardened. So sorry Wessel Werk company, but your RD 285 is garbage. I bought two other nozzles for the Numatic James at my workplace, but that's for another thread.

 

[madman]

Brake fluid. Regular DOT3. It'll dissolve rubber eventually. It's an old mechanic's trick to put some brake fluid in the engine oil to soften up the hardened rubber seals, and stop oil leaks. I mean, if they are already damaged, and you want to try again, I would suggest brake fluid. Soak for maybe a couple minutes, check often. It won't affect all types of rubber. Brake fluid is water soluble, so easy to clean up.

Never really tried to restore rubber myself, but seen enough rubber things get all soggy from brake fluid, so not sure the effect will last.

 

[compuvac]

wut

So you destroyed the wheels with alcohol and then call Wessel-Werk garbage?

 

[gregvacs28]

Probably would have been a good idea to have removed the rubber pieces and soaked them in a solution of water, baking soda, and vinegar over night, then cleaned with a sponge or tooth brush with more baking soda and vinegar.

Rubbing alcohol is a strong product that shouldn't be used carelessly. Certainly don't want to used it near things like USB flash drives and sensitive data media.

Doing a simple Google search of potential problems with mixing potentially dangerous products can help one avoid destroying your equipment.

Wessel Werks makes some great products. I wouldn't call their products garbage.

I have found that just the accumulation of gunk on rubber will make it seem hard when it's just a layer of gunk creating a hard "shell". After soaking rubber pieces and cleaning them by hand, running them through a dishwasher tends to return them to original condition. Applying a rubber conditioner after dry will help them to resist dirt.



https://cooktopcove.com/2019/08/04/... rubbing alcohol,it away from rubbing alcohol

 

[moderneezer]

So recently, I realized that I could actually just remove the rubber strips from the nozzle by pulling them off. D'oh!

Thanks for the info anyway, guys!