The effect of oil on tubes.
08-12-19, 10:22 AM
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The effect of oil on tubes.
When I moved one of my spare tubes got some oil on it from the chain lube I had in the same storage bin. I went to use it and notice the oily spot seemed to be blistering, but it held air for the time I took me to change the rear tire and has held air since I put it in the front tire. Did the oil cause any damage to the tube?
08-12-19, 01:16 PM
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Butyl rubber tubes are resistant to most chemicals and at worst will break down very slowly. I wouldn't worry about any typical chain lube affecting it. It's the same material used to make some safety gloves and respirators for handling chemicals.
Come to think of it, I've never seen a bike tire butyl rubber inner tube break down from age or exposure to common chemicals in garages. Tires may eventually degrade from exposure to UV or ozone, but I've never seen an inner tube break down. It's probably happened. But I haven't seen it.
Come to think of it, I've never seen a bike tire butyl rubber inner tube break down from age or exposure to common chemicals in garages. Tires may eventually degrade from exposure to UV or ozone, but I've never seen an inner tube break down. It's probably happened. But I haven't seen it.
08-12-19, 03:46 PM
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My sister found an almost new vintage Schwinn at a garage sale a few years ago. It was purchased from the local dealer during the 70's bike boom, riden a few miles and then stored until the owner decided to sell it in a moving sale. I got her new tires and tubes etc for it, and was surprised to see how fresh the stock tubes were. She rode it a few times, and now it's hanging from the ceiling in the garage. I wonder what the next person to work on it will think when they work on it after she sells it years from now.
08-12-19, 05:22 PM
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I wouldn't be able to mentally get past the blistering, especially if I were blistering down a steep hill.
I'd toss it.
I'd toss it.
08-12-19, 05:48 PM
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Butyl rubber tubes are resistant to most chemicals and at worst will break down very slowly. I wouldn't worry about any typical chain lube affecting it. It's the same material used to make some safety gloves and respirators for handling chemicals.
Come to think of it, I've never seen a bike tire butyl rubber inner tube break down from age or exposure to common chemicals in garages. Tires may eventually degrade from exposure to UV or ozone, but I've never seen an inner tube break down. It's probably happened. But I haven't seen it.
Come to think of it, I've never seen a bike tire butyl rubber inner tube break down from age or exposure to common chemicals in garages. Tires may eventually degrade from exposure to UV or ozone, but I've never seen an inner tube break down. It's probably happened. But I haven't seen it.
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08-12-19, 05:58 PM
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IME, most (?) rubber doesn't react well to extended contact with petroleum based lube products.
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08-12-19, 06:41 PM
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My experience with rubber type materials not suited for oil is that material will fail where the oil has had long contact with it.
Put pressure behind it and that rubber material will finally let go with usually a small hole at first.
I've seen oil soaked rubber hose swell and develop a leak at maybe 15 psi within that hose.
Put pressure behind it and that rubber material will finally let go with usually a small hole at first.
I've seen oil soaked rubber hose swell and develop a leak at maybe 15 psi within that hose.
08-13-19, 11:33 AM
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I guess I'll pick up more tubes then. I have another new one that I'm carrying with as a spare, and didn't want to use the one that got oil on it as a spare in case there were problems. Thanks for the answers.
