How to Restore Rubber Tubing
Rubber tubing is an excellent product to use in resistance training or for rehabilitation for sports injuries. The odd thing about rubber, though, is that it can lose its elasticity if it isn't used on a regular basis, even if it is simply stored under optimum conditions. If you have a supply of rubber tubing that has become dry or even brittle, don't fret that it is a lost cause. By treating the tubing with some household items, you'll be able to salvage it and avoid the expense of new rubber tubing.
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Things You'll Need
- Wire brush, small enough to fit inside the tubing
- Glycerin (available at most pharmacies)
- Water
- Metal pot
- Cotton
- Dry towels
Instructions
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1
Clean the tubing, inside and out, with the wire brush and warm water. Scrub lightly enough so as not to damage the tubing, but firmly enough to remove dirt and dust. Scrubbing under running water is recommended so that you can tell when the wash water runs clear. This will indicate that you've cleaned the tubing sufficiently.
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2
Heat the tubing in warm water. Place the rubber in the pot, coiling the tubing if necessary, and fill the pan with warm water, enough to cover the tubing entirely. Allow the tubing to soak for one to two hours.
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3
Soak a large wad of cotton in glycerin.
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4
Rub the rubber tubing with the cotton wad, drawing it back and forth over the tubing. Keep the part of the tubing that you aren't working on in the warm water until you're ready to rub the glycerin on it. If the tubing is large enough, treat it with glycerin on the inside as well as the outside.
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5
Let the rubber dry for 24 hours, then repeat the process once more of heating the tubing in warm water and rubbing it with glycerin. This will assure that the tubing has been treated sufficiently, and will prepare it for storage, if necesssary.
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6
Lay the glycerin-treated tubing on a towel to dry completely. Note that all tubing must be completely dry before putting it away for storage to help maintain its elasticity.
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Tips & Warnings
Glycerin is safe to handle with your bare hands (even beneficial, as it is used in many lotions), but you can use rubber gloves if you prefer not to get it on your skin.
If you don't use the tubing within six months, repeat this restoration procedure to keep it pliable.
Rubber should be kept in a cool (although not cold) dry place when being stored.
References
- Photo Credit tubing background image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com
