Cleaning Cosmoline From No.5 Rubber Buttpad?

[rcathey]

Hi all.

I work in plastics and feel I have something to add!

EPDM (or “natural rubber”) will naturally harden with age. This will apply to a NOS pad just the same as an installed pad. The rate of this hardening can change depending on environmental conditions. For example, natural rubber isn’t a fan of UV light...this is why folks put covers on their RV tires.

This hardening is also seen in PVC. This is likely more familiar to most people these days. PVC will get very brittle with age while rubber will get progressively harder.

The company I work at deals in TPV which is particles of natural rubber basically suspended in polypropylene. It handles aging much more gracefully than EPDM or PVC.

[browningautorifle]

I'm interested in hearing how soft and comfortable a NOS butt pad is?

Depends if it's been lubed or not.

[GeeRam]

Depends if it's been lubed or not.

[painter777]

[tj214]

Quick update: Got the pad cleaned by soaking overnight in hot water with a lot of "Dawn" (grease-cutting) dish soap. Most of the cosmo wiped off, but some was hardened to the point I needed to use a firm toothbrush. That got it all.

It's also the end of the good news. The pad, which was paid for and shipped as "NOS," is absolutely a well-used item -- you can easily see the indentations on the "forward" end where it meets the wood stock. The butt/rear side is very heavily pitted and gouged, which was camouflaged under the thick coat of cosmo.

Have sent an email to Apex, but five days later still no response. I've bought a lot of stuff from Apex with no problem, although they sell (or sold) a wood foregrip claimed to be for a Sten Mk.V, which is most assuredly is not. When I asked to return that item they sent me a very nasty email. Decided to keep it and move on. I think the buttpad will be my last Apex purchase.

[GeeRam]

I might have been lucky then, as this morning I got sent a photo of the one my mate ordered for me, which arrived at his place in California yesterday, and it looks NOS from the photo, and from his description. No cosmo either, just a talc powder like covering in places, and disscolouration. He also said it was nice and soft for a 70 year old piece of rubber.

[browningautorifle]

Have sent an email to Apex, but five days later still no response.

That's too bad...

[AFJon]

Not to excuse them not replying but the local area is only allowed 50% manning, that said you may want to call.