"Softening Up" a Rubber Strap

[d4m.test]

Good Evening, gang (at least here in N.E. PA):

I'm seeking info on how to soften up a stiff rubber strap. I recall reading a post about it a while ago; but being afflicted with a bad case of CRS, I don't recall; the "search" function was NOT very helpful. Thanks for the time and attention, mates.

dave

:thinking:

 

[shirazi_r]

Wear it!

To be honest, I've never had such a problem with rubber straps but in the case of new leather straps, all you can do is wear them in. My only other suggestion would be to close the strap around a wrist-shaped object and leave it there for a couple of days.

Let me know how it works out Dave

 

[vpx]

I remember there being talk of boiling rubber straps in the Hublot subforums to "soften" them.

 

[frigpig]

I thought boiling them was to get the stink out.

 

[dustindu4]

I was told boiling it. Although I have rep and gen Breitling pro diver I straps and I can't tell the difference

 

[d4m.test]

Thanks for the tips, mates; I'll give them ALL a try. Much appreciated.

dave

Wear it!

To be honest, I've never had such a problem with rubber straps but in the case of new leather straps, all you can do is wear them in. My only other suggestion would be to close the strap around a wrist-shaped object and leave it there for a couple of days.

Let me know how it works out Dave

It's worth a try, Shirazi. I have some extra "watch pillows" I can use for that.

Thanks!

dave

 

[RobbDizzle]

Just be sure you don't boil it for too long, like me:

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showpost.php?p=709323&postcount=1

 

[ALE7575]

Just be sure you don't boil it for too long, like me:

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showpost.php?p=709323&postcount=1

:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

 

[dennisthai]

Boiling only works with certain kinds of rubber/silicone, on most it has no effect whatsoever. I doubt very much if it will soften the strap at all.

 

[MMA]

I've never had any success with boiling on reps. All it does is leach calcium out of them and make them brittle (works on ghock plasticcy straps though).

The best thing to do is to give them some curve. I Roll them lengthwise in a tight ball, wrap a good strong rubber band around it to keep shape and sink them in a container filled with hot tap water - not boiled water. Soak until the water goes cool. It will give it a nice permanent curve that fits the wrist better.

 

[Steelfish]

I've never had any success with boiling on reps. All it does is leach calcium out of them and make them brittle (works on ghock plasticcy straps though).

The best thing to do is to give them some curve. I Roll them lengthwise in a tight ball, wrap a good strong rubber band around it to keep shape and sink them in a container filled with hot tap water - not boiled water. Soak until the water goes cool. It will give it a nice permanent curve that fits the wrist better.

Good tip MMA. At least if it doesn't work it won't end up like Robb's puddle of plastic.

 

[dennisthai]

I've never had any success with boiling on reps. All it does is leach calcium out of them and make them brittle (works on ghock plasticcy straps though).

The best thing to do is to give them some curve. I Roll them lengthwise in a tight ball, wrap a good strong rubber band around it to keep shape and sink them in a container filled with hot tap water - not boiled water. Soak until the water goes cool. It will give it a nice permanent curve that fits the wrist better.

I think it all depends what kind of compound is used in the strap. I honestly can't say I've had any success with any rubber/silicone strap I've bought, or even the one that came on my G Shock.

 

[RobbDizzle]

I've boiled them to get the smell out...the strap softens sometimes but not noticeably, and stiffens up after a while anyways. The smell stays gone, though.

 

[MMA]

I think if you're going to boil them, you would need to apply a treatment afterwards. Silicon tyre shine would be ideal. But then that stuff smells toxic. I wouldn't want it on my skin.

 

[RobbDizzle]

Tire shine? They'd get all glossy and slimy, and it would leave residue everywhere they touch...

 

[MMA]

Erm, you understand I'm not recommending it right? In fact I'm recommending against boiling it in the first place.

 

[KBH]

Boiling almost all rubber compounds will not do a thing. Heat is what vulcanizes rubber in the first place.

Trust me, I used to own a small manufacturing company that made CV boots for front wheel drive cars.

 

[d4m.test]

That took Courage!

Hey, Rob! That took courage to admit to dumbass moves. This message is from the KING. Maybe we should form a club: DAS (Dumb Ass Society).

dave

Just be sure you don't boil it for too long, like me:

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showpost.php?p=709323&postcount=1

Hey, MMA! GREAT tip! I'll give that a try, too. Hell, I'll try ANYTHING, uh, except robb's treatment. I have a short attention span... .

dave

I've never had any success with boiling on reps. All it does is leach calcium out of them and make them brittle (works on ghock plasticcy straps though).

The best thing to do is to give them some curve. I Roll them lengthwise in a tight ball, wrap a good strong rubber band around it to keep shape and sink them in a container filled with hot tap water - not boiled water. Soak until the water goes cool. It will give it a nice permanent curve that fits the wrist better.