How to protect modern rubber?

Post by: **Keith Scarfe** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:03 am

With all this talk (all justified) about modern rubber not being as good as old stuff, I was wondering if anyone knows of anything that can be applied to protect it. I have just got a new gear leaver gaiter rubber (the last one only lasted a couple of years before splitting) and as these are now apparently quite difficult to find, I was wondering if there is there anything that can be applied to make it last longer. Vaseline, oil, grease, silicon spray, boot polish, anything? Also, and I guess more importantly, what should definitely NOT be applied as it will make it deteriorate.