I hate it when my rubber gets dried out and cracks. Any suggestions?

[selectomatic]

I have a 1960s Jet Spray Cooler beverage dispenser, and it has a red rubber gasket that goes around the 'Cooling Tower' inside the bowl.

I'm searching around, but I'm not sure that I can get new replacements for the gasket. I got one about 10 years ago, but wouldn't you know the 50-year old company that made dependable products was bought up by an international manufacturer, and they immediately stopped supporting the old machines.

The picture shows the machine, and the gasket. The gasket still works, but it's starting to feel less 'rubbery' than it used to, and it looks kind of rough around the edges. Does anyone here have suggestions about storage (I don't use the machine very often), revitalizing, etc?

One of the challenges we face as collectors of old equipment is that some parts (especially rubber and other flexible parts) go bad with age. It's important to try to preserve these parts for as long as possible.

Thanks for any suggestions!

-kevin

 

[selectomatic]

Oh yeah,

The gasket does come in contact with the beverage, so any suggestions must be food-safe. Also, orange juice is pretty acidic, and it's a Jet Spray favorite.

-kevin

 

[petek]

Kevin, you're holding back on us...that pic and the other one in another thread looks like you have an emporium full of fun stuff!!!!

I'm not sure what might preserve the rubber and be food safe, glycerin? It's a concern with my Cook'n Stir as well since it uses a smaller similar gasket between the jar and the metal blender base that heats up.

 

[sudsmaster]

If you are using the device to make alcoholic beverages, it's possible that the ethanol is attacking the rubber.

Offhand I'd say make another gasket from sheet silicone rubber. A medical/biotech research supply firm should be able to find you some. The one you show looks like it has built in o-ring type ridges on the inner and outer circumferences, so that might make a flat substitute unsatisfactory - but it never hurts to try. If there is some way to hold two separate o-rings against a flat rubber replacement, that might work. With the right stock and adhesive, one can make larger o-rings in any size.

Another possibility is to make a casting of the original and have a few replacements made up. Maybe a dental lab could do it?

 

[selectomatic]

I haven't put any alcohol in it -- yet!

I've considered having a Margarita Party, but even the cheapest margaritas would add up when you're making 4 gallons of them! (Besides, I don't think I want to deal with a house full of people drinking margaritas on tap.)

Mostly I use it for lemonade, orange juice, or pineapple-orange drink. Still, these are organic and acidic, and they'll damage things almost as much as alcohol.

The earlier picture makes it look simpler than it is. The top is flat, and the inner portion is a ring that hangs down. You wet the gasket, fit it onto the Cooling Tower (the shiny metal part inside the bowl in the top picture), then you push the bowl down over it. When you do this, the flat top part then folds down and makes a tight seal. The picture below shows the gasket lying upside-down.

I'd be interested in finding a place which could make a replacement. The dental lab suggestion is interesting.

For now, the gasket is holding up, but I worry about the future. I also wonder about preserving things like drive belts and tires for turntables and tape decks. Seems that they can go bad just sitting in storage.

-kevin

 

[pturo]

It is fun to see that Vodka can still be a breakfast drink what wiht the correctly repaired drink dispenser.

 

[sudsmaster]

Well, this probably won't help, but in the car business a trick for softening up rubber is to brush some brake fluid on it. But I think brake fluid is rather nasty toxic stuff.

However, one of the main components of brake fluid is polyethylene glycol, or PEG. PEG of various weights is a common food additive and ingredient in medications. Soooo.... it's possible that a PEG might help keep the rubber pliant and be of very low toxicity as well.

I just wouldn't use brake fluid on the gasket.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: I'm surprised:

that "Toggles" hasn't rang in and placed his comment/reply on this matter.

Where are you "Toggles" your usually the first one to make comments for reaching out to help others with their needs of info for repair/replacement parts.

Peace, Good Luck with your Gasket Kevin, "Selectomatic" getting it's help as needed real soon, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[tomturbomatic]

Kevin, I think glycerin is a good first try. It is very food safe, in fact a few drops added to cake batter will keep a cake moister longer. I would buy the liquid though and not try melting suppositories. I never noticed the word SIT in suppository before.

Another thing that might work is food grade silicone. It is sold in aerosol cans with an oil vehicle to coat the molds in icemakers so that the cubes don't stick. It is wicked slipery stuff. I don't believe it is harmful to synthetic rubber. I was going to check the label on my can, but I must have loaned it to John.

 

[whirlcool]

Automotive Brake Fluid is extremely toxic. Drop a couple drops on your autos paint and within seconds the paint will bubble and fall off. I made this mistake years ago when I went to check my brake fluid level and put the cover of the brake fluid reservoir on the fender for a few seconds. Within an hour a circle of paint on the car was all bubbled off.

 

[rp2813]

Tom, interesting you mentioned silicone lubricant. I've found that on my hot tub, the large O-ring that seals the filter cannister can often get sticky from all the oils and clarifiers that the spa's water can accumulate between filter cleanings and tub drainings. I used to fight that thing to keep it from leaking each time I put the filter assembly back together.

Then one day it occurred to me that the non-water-based lube in the nightstand might be just the ticket. It was. I swear by the stuff now, and use it on the O-ring every time I remove and replace the filter assembly. I don't even have to screw the cannister on as tightly as before and it still seals everything up nicely. Since it's odorless, colorless, tasteless (!) and non-toxic, it might be a way to help Kevin preserve his gasket. I thought I'd have to buy a new O-ring for the spa filter and that was a good 5 years ago before I started using the lube on it. The spa is over 20 years old and it's the original O-ring. The lube I use is "Eros" brand, not cheap, but you can get it in small containers if it's not your choice for more personal uses.

Ralph

 

[toggleswitch]

~Re: I'm surprised:that "Toggles" hasn't rang in and placed his comment/reply on this matter.

It's just TOO easy and expected. But since my public demands it...

The first thought that came to my mind was "just don't keep it in your wallet. Your hot @$$ is causing it to disingtegrate."

Other than that, I really can't offer any helpful input on the subject. *WINK*

 

[selectomatic]

Well, I got some good news today

After sifting through misleading pictures and pointlessly changed part numbers, I've found a place that has these gaskets in stock. They're about $40 each, so I'll certainly want to treat them nicely and store them in such a way as to preserve them!

Thanks for the suggestions.

-kevin

 

[sudsmaster]

Storage suggestion

Vacuum seal the extra gaskets in a Food Saver or Seal-A-Meal vacuum sealer. The plastic of these bags is highly resistant to oxygen penetration. Oxygen is probably the worst atmospheric component that attacks things like rubber.

Now, when's the big party when you fire up the refurbished drink dispenser with margaritas?

 

[retro-man]

might try this also

I have had excellent luck with preserving my rubber gaskets on various appliances, pressure cooker which is 48 years old with original gasket, plus drink dispenser also by giving them a thorough cleaning with soap and water then towel dried then apply a small amount of mineral oil on the rubber then rub once again with a paper towel. I use mineral oil on my butcher block also after sanding. This is not a toxic oil, can come into contact with food and liquids. Then just store with appliance. When I want to use it again just wash the gasket with soap and water. Keeps them pliable with no cracking. Hope this helps.
Jon

 

[rolls_rapide]

But rubber and oils don't mix, as oil speeds up the deterioration of the rubber.

I would not touch oil with a bargepole, if I wanted to preserve a rubber seal.

What about a light coating of talcum powder, or cornstarch, then store, wrapped in polythene, in a dark drawer?