- snodgrjl
- New Member
Offline - Registered: 03-7-2017
- Posts: 10
Re: On the subject of platen rubber
Hi, All. I accidentally discovered a virtual panacea for what was a whitish, hard platen on my latest purchase. I accidentally got some WD-40 on the platen, wiped it off, and it looked gorgeous. Unlike Armor All, which treats the surface, WD-40 penetrates, softens, cleans, and leaves the old, hard platen soft and, as mentioned, "grippy." Moreover, WD-40 doesn't leave a slick or greasy residue. Wiping the excess off the rubber is hard work but the result is worth the effort. I highly recommend the technique for rubber restoration. Forgive me if you all already know about this trick.
Jeffrey
- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: On the subject of platen rubber
Welcome to the forum, Jeffrey.
Can I ask how you determined the platen was actually softer after applying WD-40 to it?
The traditional (recommended) method is to wipe the platen down with alcohol, or better yet, use a specifically engineered product for the task such as a rubber rejuvenator to remove some of the glazing that causes paper slippage and to clean and soften the platen's surface. I have actually tested the effect that rubber rejuvenator has on numerous platens by using a durometer and noted varying results.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- CoronaJoe
- Touch Typist
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- Registered: 24-1-2016
- Posts: 143
Re: On the subject of platen rubber
Uwe, would you post a picture of your durometer? I've been interested in one for years, just haven't coughed up the coin.
- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: On the subject of platen rubber
They're not expensive (around $30). It looks like an air pressure gauge with a pin sticking out of the bottom of it. You do have to make sure that you order one that covers the correct Shore hardness range (Type A). The one I got is an analogue version but there are digital ones too.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- snodgrjl
- New Member
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- Registered: 03-7-2017
- Posts: 10
Re: On the subject of platen rubber
Dear Uwe,
Thank you for welcoming me. To determine that the platen was softer, I applied the three-step test I found at Typewriter Talk. I also noted that the typewriter stopped eating ribbons; it was punching holes in them after 10 days or so.
Jeffrey
- OlivWriter
- Platen Punisher
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- Registered: 23-2-2024
- Posts: 95
Re: On the subject of platen rubber
snodgrjl wrote:
...I accidentally got some WD-40 on the platen, wiped it off, and it looked gorgeous. Unlike Armor All, which treats the surface, WD-40 penetrates, softens, cleans, and leaves the old, hard platen soft and, as mentioned, "grippy." Moreover, WD-40 doesn't leave a slick or greasy residue...
Hello (sorry for reviving an old topic 
)...
What do you think of WD-40 to rejuvenate thes machine roller/platen ?
Has anyone tested this ?
And theoretically, is this a good idea ?
THANKS
Note : I don't want to use rubber rejuvenator, I'm asking about WD-40 because I have some at my disposal...
