Which lubricant is SAFE on RUBBER?

Testing 7 different popular lubricants to see which ones destroy rubber bands!

[bigdog]

Love the test but the automotive and equipment rubber and plastics have much better compunds than the cheap rubber bands… I’m assuming the cheap rubber bands are made of natural rubber? Also would love to see the WD silicone spray!

[FryChicken]

This is one of the most useful reviews/tests I've seen on youtube. You're not defining a use case, you're simply testing and letting everyone reach their own conclusion

[syedfahadali]

this explains a lot.
Thanks for such a nice side by side review for all these products.

[aaa]

should have maybe added silicone spray

[vickikgibson]

I don't like the idea of a spray as it is hard to control. Yes I can spray a rag!LOL. A good paste product with silicone (since the new weatherstrip has silicone in it and not fully rubber at all) helps to restore the rubber. Next, I would have gone to the wrecking yard and picked up real rubber used in the cars, then made comparisons. Rubber bands are not the same composition:) At least not as much today. I am going to try the lanolin and see how that works, but on a sample first. Weather strip for my car is very expensive!:)LOL Hey, thank you for helping!

[taladiv]

Thank you for taking the time to enlighten us on this topic.

[windsurfer]

Try armorall if you prefer chemicals. I use 1:1 non-acidic liquid hand soap and glycerin combo in conjunction with 5-10% castor oil for lubricating rubber strands inside my rubber powered airplanes (many others have the same recipe).

[htopherollem]

maybe liquid Teflon lock lubricant? graphite lock lubricant should work also (pretty sure it's what they apply inside bicycle tubes to prevent them from sticking together. at least it's what it appears to be when you cut one open)

[la]

There's more than one WD40 product, some of which are made to be safe on rubber and seals for example on door wall sliders etc...

[charlesfrandolig]

Why not K-Y jelly, for use in situations where failure is not an option.

[thesetruths]

Hi. I put a pint of brake fluid in a crankcase with 5.5 quarts new motor oil. Do you think that will do anything bad for 5, 000 miles? Brake fluid is mostly polymer based as polyglycol ethers.

[Arcturus-.]

I am not a scientist but this seems like a bad test. If the rubber band snapped in place other than where you treated it, then it tells you nothing. I would first treat each rubber band and then stretched them over the pvc pipe.

p.s. and ofc add control. This is also a test for this type of rubber and not every other kind. I would also repeat this experiment a few times to see if I would get consistent results.

[surgprep]

Thanks I'm looking to condition some thick 8 guage 220 power cords to help protect them on jobsites, extend their usability and prevent them from cracking...was thinking about spraying them with either silicone spray or WD40 then wiping them down...but I wont be using WD40 now...any suggestions for conditioning and preserving 50 ft black rubber 3 wire 220 volt power cords ?

[rhad]

Well I think he did a good job and it was a great idea and I learn not to use some of them but yeah I wondered about the silicone

[samuelpope]

Ballistol is great. safe to use on varnished and unvarnished gun stocks. powder solvent. protects/conditions and biocide for leather. Good corrosion inhibitor non toxic. and many more uses. not necessarily the best lubricant but a great protection for guns. To extend the life of rubber bands try pre-soaking in a little armor all.

[Ccortanaa]

Can you use these products on radiator hoses under the hood? Products like WD-40 Silicone Lubricant says it's flammable on the can, so is it safe to use on the hoses? What if it gets too hot under the hood? I'm strictly looking to just prolong the life of the hoses, preventing the heat from drying them out, causing cracks etc, and keeping them looking "fresh", glossy etc.

[Dakuu]

This was a good idea for a test. Just did it myself to test what I have, if it'd be kind to that kind of rubber.

[testboga]

The rubber conditioner pops them because it contains swelling agents that are intended to improve the seal. For actual o-rings, that's what it's supposed to do. Motor oil has the same. Ballistol is awesome, it's basically just pure mineral oil and some soap like substances. It's not water resistant, though!

[charleshines]

I imagine PB Blaster may be just as harsh or worse than WD-40. A pure silicone would be a good test too. I doubt that the bands are made of silicone but that would deteriorate silicone the same way that petroleum destroys rubber. Also some swimming pool supply stores sell o-ring safe grease that I imagine is probably silicone and no petroleum. If in doubt it is nice to have a test piece of the same material you plan to use it on. Put some on the test piece over night and see if it does anything at all.

[jacobsebastien]

WD40 Specialist Silicone lube is the best and safest for rubber and plastic' Also Doesn't attract dirt and crude" the Main lubricant i use"