Cleaning Rubber Surrounds - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

YoungManGW · 24th Dec 2011, 5:38 pm

Hello all - just joined the forum.

I'm just about to commence the restoration of a Bush TUG24, and intend to tackle the cabinet first. Immediate question: what's the best way to clean the thick rubber gasket between the glass and the CRT?

It is rather yellowed, and I imagine that it was initially white. Am I right in that assumption? And, if so, how best should one clean it to restore some of the whiteness without damaging the rubber?

Many thanks,
YMGW

GRID LEAK · 25th Dec 2011, 1:08 am

I've used tyrewall whitener (car spares shop) for this with good results. I usually clean it first with Flash with bleach to remove any grime, sometimes that's all it needs.
Regards. John.

YoungManGW · 25th Dec 2011, 10:33 am

Thank-you John, that's really helpful.

chipp1968 · 25th Dec 2011, 11:09 am

Some rubber masks like in the Bush TV22 are painted! it doesn't really clean up well. I repainted mine using mat emulsion paint. 1829 paint at B&Q, hemp beige which is a greeny off white seemed to do the trick very well. I lightly waxed it afterwards.
Grid leak's suggestion sounds good too.

Boom · 25th Dec 2011, 12:39 pm

You can dip the rubber in paint stripper, it won't hurt it, then respray it.

YoungManGW · 26th Dec 2011, 2:21 pm

Thank-you for the advice. I don't think this one was painted, so I'll give the white wall tyre cleaner/whitener a go!

24th Dec 2011, 5:38 pm	#1
YoungManGW Hexode Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oswestry, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 408	Cleaning Rubber Surrounds Hello all - just joined the forum. I'm just about to commence the restoration of a Bush TUG24, and intend to tackle the cabinet first. Immediate question: what's the best way to clean the thick rubber gasket between the glass and the CRT? It is rather yellowed, and I imagine that it was initially white. Am I right in that assumption? And, if so, how best should one clean it to restore some of the whiteness without damaging the rubber? Many thanks, YMGW

25th Dec 2011, 1:08 am	#2
GRID LEAK Triode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lancashire, UK. Posts: 46	Re: Cleaning Rubber Surrounds I've used tyrewall whitener (car spares shop) for this with good results. I usually clean it first with Flash with bleach to remove any grime, sometimes that's all it needs. Regards. John.

25th Dec 2011, 10:33 am	#3
YoungManGW Hexode Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oswestry, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 408	Re: Cleaning Rubber Surrounds Thank-you John, that's really helpful.

25th Dec 2011, 11:09 am	#4
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Cleaning Rubber Surrounds Some rubber masks like in the Bush TV22 are painted! it doesn't really clean up well. I repainted mine using mat emulsion paint. 1829 paint at B&Q, hemp beige which is a greeny off white seemed to do the trick very well. I lightly waxed it afterwards. Grid leak's suggestion sounds good too.

25th Dec 2011, 12:39 pm	#5
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: Cleaning Rubber Surrounds You can dip the rubber in paint stripper, it won't hurt it, then respray it.

26th Dec 2011, 2:21 pm	#6
YoungManGW Hexode Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oswestry, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 408	Re: Cleaning Rubber Surrounds Thank-you for the advice. I don't *think* this one was painted, so I'll give the white wall tyre cleaner/whitener a go!