Band Deterioration

[Baka]

Hi all is there a way to help prolong or preserve my bands on my speargun? They are only about a month old and they are already starting to crack. Is there some sort of solution, or special coating to put on them to get more life out of them.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Remove them from the gun, rinse them, dry them, put them in a zip-lock, and store them in the fridge. I don't do it any more, but it made a big difference when I did.

 

[alexanderXP]

Well, I wash my bands in cold clean water after each hunt (to remove salt). Dry (!) them, and then throw them into the freezer. This should give my bands a bit more to live.

That’s all I can add to this.

Yeah... as I am repeating the same thing: Put them in a zip-lock ?? Heck, why is that? To prevent from humidity?

 

[sickbugs]

i jus wash them off to make sure they are clean, i used to throw em in the freezer but i dont anymore.

 

[AlexF]

Wash them and then apply Aerospace protectant. You can find that spray in West Marine or any other large boat or equipment store.

Here's their web page: www.303products.com

I asked the same question to one of the large band manufacturers and that's what he recommended.

Hope it works, I have been using it but not enough time to give you some coments.

 

[greendiver]

rofl rofl Amazing...Man, I can not even get bothered to wash my gun!!! rofl rofl

 

[ROBERT REYES]

a month old and craking?
change brands.

 

[Groupermadness]

a month old and craking?
change brands.

Gotta agree there , get some good quality bulk rubber, make your own bands .

 

[Baka]

I have been using the JBL brand name bands, what other brands are there to use?

 

[AlexF]

JBL bands are made by Primeline Industries, the people who told me to use the 303 Products. I believe there are only TWO US rubber manufaturers, so all the bands come from either one of them.

You can buy directly from them but they do have minimum orders that might be too big for only one spearo.

 

[Spaniard]

I was told that if storing rubbers, over winter let's say, to put them in a zip-loc bag covered in talcum powder? i guess it prevents the surface of rubber from coming into contact with air????

 

[Mr. X]

I was told that if storing rubbers, over winter let's say, to put them in a zip-loc bag covered in talcum powder? i guess it prevents the surface of rubber from coming into contact with air????

I would think the talc is just to keep them dry & to avoid surfaces sticking to each other. I talc my dried wetsuit if I think I might not be using it for a couple of weeks, as I noticed the leg surfaces occasionally stick together on the hanger otherwise (not a big problem but if left a long time and/or under pressure the bond might become permanent or require tearing apart).

[Similarly, for cycling, I often put some talc on a fixed inner tube (or tyre) ... to prevent excess glue from sticking the inner tube to the inner wall of the tyre (AmE. tire).]

Don't inhale talc.:crutch