When rubber is exposed to vinegar, it can cause the rubber to swell and become soft due to the acidic nature of the vinegar. This can lead to a decrease in the strength and durability of the rubber, as well as discoloration. Additionally, the vinegar can cause the rubber to crack and degrade, leading to further damage.
The vinegar's acid can eat away at rubber just as it does natural stone. Soap and water or a solution of soap and baking soda are the best grime busters for rubber parts. So as a general rule, wherever you find rubber, keep the vinegar away.
You can use two or three parts of water to one of vinegar for this method. Either make up the solution in a spray bottle and spray onto the seal, or apply directly using a cloth or sponge. For ingrained food, use a soft toothbrush and gently scrub.
Rubber seals often come into contact with various chemicals, which can accelerate their degradation. Oils, solvents, acids and other harsh substances can cause the rubber to swell, soften or even break down entirely. This chemical attack depends largely on the rubbers composition and the nature of the chemical.
I use baking soda and white distilled vinegar along with my laundry detergent and it removes stains and odors. If you apply vinegar to rubber and let it sit without rinsing it off, it will degrade the rubber (this is well known and is not a point of argument).
Vinegar can degrade rubber – Certain compositions of rubber can be adversely affected by vinegar. This could include the seals of some windows (although it is uncommon for such rubbers to be used as window seals) or the rubber of the squeegee that you are cleaning the windows with.
Most elastomers undergo rubber degradation over time and the most common rubber deterioration causes are exposure to light, oxygen (ozone) and heat.
Petroleum-Based Materials: Hydraulic oils and greases that are petroleum-based contain hydrocarbon components. These long chains of chemicals have a negative impact on EPDM rubber seals. In fact, they can dissolve the rubber material entirely.
Protect your new rubber car seals
WD-40® High Performance Silicone Lubricant is ideal for use on rubber materials. After you have allowed time for the glue to dry and settle, spray the entire rubber surface with WD-40® High Performance Silicone Lubricant, and wipe away with a clean microfiber cloth.
When rubber is exposed to hydrogen peroxide, it can cause significant damage. The rubber can become brittle, discolored, and have a reduced tensile strength. It can also become more susceptible to environmental factors, such as UV radiation, heat, and ozone.
With the right rubber restoring techniques, and a sufficient level of care and maintenance, rubber seals or products of certain polymer types can often be brought back from the brink of failure and restored to functionality.
When rubber is exposed to petrolatum, the rubber can become brittle and cracked due to the solvents in the petrolatum. The petrolatum can also cause the rubber to swell and harden, reducing its elasticity and leading to eventual failure.
The Hidden Dangers of Using Vinegar on Sealants
Its damage to sealants and sensitive surfaces can be immediate and gradual, making it a risky choice for certain cleaning tasks.
Vinegar can be a great cleaning solution for floors, counters, and tiles – but remember, you shouldn't use it on natural stone (like granite or marble) or natural wood (like hardwood flooring or wooden furniture).
Vinegar should not be used in laundry when washing clothing with elastic, or when other cleaning ingredients like bleach, ammonia, or baking soda are present.
When rubber is exposed to vinegar, it can cause the rubber to swell and become soft due to the acidic nature of the vinegar. This can lead to a decrease in the strength and durability of the rubber, as well as discoloration. Additionally, the vinegar can cause the rubber to crack and degrade, leading to further damage.
A well-known example of a dangerous poison for seals is PCBs. In the 1980s, many seals weren't able to reproduce and were often sick from this toxin.
Paint thinner is composed of a variety of hydrocarbons, such as mineral spirits, solvents, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Due to its solvent properties, paint thinner can cause rubber materials to swell and degrade.
Should you use WD-40 on rubber parts to protect them from cracking? No, absolutely not. In fact, it may damage rubber by dissolving and washing away the oils in the rubber. It may react with the rubber and make it gooey, or harden it.
The most prominent group of biological rubber degraders are Actinobacteria. Rubber degrading Actinobacteria contain rubber degrading genes or rubber oxygenase known as latex clearing protein (lcp).
White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.
Bleach can damage the rubber seal if used too frequently.