Rubber Renue: What It Does and When to Use It

Rubber components in electronics equipment, industrial machinery, and laboratory instruments degrade over time even without heavy use. Rubber belts in printers and tape drives, gaskets in enclosures, O-rings in pneumatic systems, and rollers in feed mechanisms all lose plasticizers through a process called outgassing — leaving them stiff, brittle, and prone to cracking. MG Chemicals Rubber Renue is designed to reverse early-stage rubber degradation by replenishing those lost plasticizers before the rubber fails completely.

What Causes Rubber to Degrade?

Rubber degradation is caused by plasticizer migration — the chemical compounds that keep rubber flexible slowly evaporate or migrate out of the rubber matrix over time. This process is accelerated by heat, UV exposure, ozone, and contact with oils or solvents. The result is rubber that becomes progressively stiffer, develops surface cracks, and eventually crumbles or tears under normal use. In electronics equipment, this most commonly affects drive belts, pinch rollers, and gaskets — components that are expensive to replace but inexpensive to maintain.

What Rubber Renue Does

Rubber Renue works by penetrating the rubber surface and depositing conditioning agents that replace lost plasticizers, restoring flexibility and surface tackiness. It is most effective on rubber that is stiff or slightly cracked on the surface but still structurally intact. Results vary by rubber type and degree of degradation:

• Best results: Natural rubber, EPDM, neoprene, and nitrile rubber that is stiff but not cracked through
• Moderate results: Rubber with light surface crazing that has not yet cracked through
• No results: Rubber that has cracked through, crumbled, or lost structural integrity — replacement required
• Do not use on: Silicone rubber — Rubber Renue is not compatible with silicone and will not improve silicone rubber condition

How to Apply Rubber Renue

1. Clean the rubber surface first — remove dirt, oils, and debris with IPA or a mild cleaner. Allow to dry completely before applying Rubber Renue.
2. Apply sparingly — use a lint-free cloth, cotton swab, or small brush to apply a thin coat. Do not flood the surface — a little goes a long way.
3. Allow to absorb — let the conditioner penetrate for 15–30 minutes. For severely dried rubber, a second application after the first has absorbed may improve results.
4. Wipe off excess — remove any unabsorbed product with a clean cloth. Excess Rubber Renue left on the surface can attract dust and contaminate adjacent components.
5. Allow to cure — allow 1–2 hours before returning the component to service. Test flexibility and function before reassembly.

Common Applications

• Printer and copier drive belts — restores grip and flexibility to belts that have become glazed or stiff
• Tape drive pinch rollers — restores surface tackiness for reliable tape contact
• Gaskets and O-rings — conditions rubber seals that have hardened and are no longer sealing effectively
• Rubber feet and bumpers — restores grip on equipment feet that have hardened and become slippery
• Pneumatic system seals — conditions O-rings and seals before reassembly to restore flexibility

Rubber Renue vs. Other Rubber Restorers

Frequently Asked Questions About Rubber Renue

Shop Rubber Renue at MTE Solutions:

• MG Chemicals 408C Rubber Renue — 1L Can

Related Resources:

• Electronics Cleaning Chemicals & Solvents Hub
• Solvent & Wipe Compatibility: How to Choose the Right Cleaning System
• Understanding Isopropyl Alcohol Percentages