Glen Bennett Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Can anyone advise on how to stop gas mask rubber from deteriorating. I have a small collection of WWII Army and Home Front gas masks and the rubber on some is beginning to crack. How can I prevent this getting worse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Hi Glen, As far as I know this is due to the chemicals in the rubber detiorating and causing the material to break up. I know it also affects certain types of plastic which causes damage to other collectables. Kenny may know a product that helps but all I can suggest is be careful of the storage. A cool dry place would seem best away from other plastics, rubbers and chemicals. Separate the items from each other and plastic packaging as these may be giving off chemicals which speed up the process. You could also try an internet search to see if you can find something out from that. I'm afraid plastics and rubbers made before the 70's were not as sofisticated and from what I hear can fall apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Hi Glen , welcome to the forum I've not come across anything to preserve rubber unfortunately , but as Dave says good storage is probably the best answer.I would also recommend never buying anything rubber unless it is in excellent condition.Once it starts to go I think there is little you can do to stop it , however items bought in good condition seem to last and don't tend to start deteriorating.So I think it's really all about original condition and storage.Also keep any damaged ones away from the good ones. anybody else any ideas? Andy's our man for home front items, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyD Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 I never tried it myself,but I heard that talcum powder dusted over the rubber can help. I don't know how/if it works,but that's the only help I can offer,sorry! Cheers, Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotty Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I have a childs WW2 mask (the one in the metal canister before the micky mouse kind) and the plastic viewing piece is cracked. Could anyone tell me if this is able to be repaired or replaced at all. I have attached a picture below Any help would be very grateful Cheers Shotty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Hi Shotty, I'm sorry I don't think this is possible. Most of these masks are damaged/degraded in this way. It's all to do with the original material. I suppose they were not meant to last 60 years plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Hi Shotty welcome to the forum sorry as Dave says there is little you can do about this ,however it's not that bad and shouldn't get any worse. PS The gas mask in the picture is a standard civilian gas mask as far as I know? I'm pretty sure the children wore the Mickey Mouse type and Babies had there own type too. is this correct Andy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotty Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 This mask was in the family so wasn't purchased. If I wanted to upgrade/replace does anyone know how much it would cost to purchase an undamaged one and where from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Hi Shotty, we usually have them in but none at the moment , I'll PM you next time we get one in ,cost about £15-£25 for a standard one. Kenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotty Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Kenny, Thanks very much for that, please inform me as soon as you have one and I'll purchase it. Cheers Shotty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 No problem Shotty was it you who broke it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotty Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Not guilty although it was down to me to keep it safe!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I thought I detected a slight panic in your post first one we get offered in good condition I let you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Kenny I thought you sold the gas masks to the kinky goths! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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