How to preserve rubber chainsaw parts?

[Nutball]

What are some good ways to preserve new and used rubber chainsaw parts, so they last without hardening and cracking? I replaced some lines on an old saw, both are harder than new, one has obvious cracks, but they both still hold pressure well, so I might as well hang on to them for future repairs.

Maybe keep them in a plastic bag with a little high mileage motor oil wiped on them?

 

[1.5hp]

how about in a container with argon?

 

[Nutball]

Good idea, I'd think any inert gas: nitrogen, even CO2? I was wondering if the high mileage oil would sort of rehydrate the rubber.

 

[Lcfd1124]

Not sure if this would work but it did for me when we raced fo karts. We used tire prep all week that dried out the tires and was ruff on them, tires lasted maybe a month with that stuff on them before they started cracking, so I started wiping them down heavily with wd-40 and would wrap them tightly in food plastic wrap so none could escape. I started saving tires that way, no cracking in any way, the tires would even get bite back in them when we needed it.

 

[3browns]

I have used this for decades to protect any kind of rubber, vinyl, etc on cars, bikes, hot tubs, RVs, etc

Best UV protection there is

Keeps stuff the way it started and won’t break it down, soften it up, etc

 

[angelo c]

ATF
I put Dat xhit on e'ry ting

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

Keep them in a bag in a cool dark place with pure silicone oil or silicone grease all over them.

Do not use petroleum based grease or oil, you’ll deteriorate any parts made of natural rubber.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I've used" tire shine" on alot of rubber parts ,including some chainsaw anti-vibe parts. Works well on cv joint boots too.

 

[TX_Welder]

Not sure if this would work but it did for me when we raced fo karts. We used tire prep all week that dried out the tires and was ruff on them, tires lasted maybe a month with that stuff on them before they started cracking, so I started wiping them down heavily with wd-40 and would wrap them tightly in food plastic wrap so none could escape. I started saving tires that way, no cracking in any way, the tires would even get bite back in them when we needed it.

Worked on a 96 Honda foreman for a guy and I couldn't believe the condition of the seat cover. Like new. Especially since it sits outside under a lean to. Asked him how he kept it that way and he said he's sprayed it down with wd-40 since it was new.