'restoration' question

[Henry James the 47th]

After pricing out upper-to-lower cab seals and getting over the shock (@$220 for the set of three), i am planning on reusing my existing seals. They are reasonably pliable still and completely intact. i'm trying to figure out the best way of removing the old paint from the outer edges, along with the odd chunk of rust scale that is stuck to them. I'm wary of using a stripper or solvent that will damage the rubber. Any suggestions?

 

[cruiser_guy]

Armor All

 

[Henry James the 47th]

Armor All doesn't remove paint AFAIK. I was thinking that brake fluid might do a good job, since it is known to take off paint and doesn't affect rubber seals inside the clutch and brake hydraulic systems.

 

[rick_d]

diesel fuel is the restorer's trick,

but I would buy new.

 

[bull]

acetone works wonders for cleaning and paint removal

 

[Henry James the 47th]

acetone works wonders for cleaning and paint removal

Does acetone harm rubber in any way?

 

[bull]

I haven't had a spot of trouble, but maybe an old timer can chime in. I worked for a batting cage growing up and all the wheels and balls were rubber and we used acetone to clean them once a day with no issues.

 

[SteveH]

Paint stripper works - methylene chloride type. Acetone is funny stuff - it can be VERY hard on certain plastics that other strong solvents won't damage. Test a small area.

I'd expect any solvent would remove the top layer of oxidized rubber, but what you're trying to avoid is a solvent that dissolves it completely.