First time restoration - Sticky brake hoods.
04-21-22, 01:06 PM
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First time restoration - Sticky brake hoods.
Howdy all,
First time posting on here so applogies if this is the wrong forum for this topic.
I purchased a bike on a whim as i thought it would be great idea to learn about bike maintence by restoring a neglected old bike.
My first question, which may be the first of many, is about the break handle hoods. The old hoods have to go so I bought a new set of handles and hoods from ebay. However, there is a not nice feeling of stickyness. Is this a feature of old rubber or is there a way to get the hoods feeling nice again?
Thanks for any suggestions.....
First time posting on here so applogies if this is the wrong forum for this topic.
I purchased a bike on a whim as i thought it would be great idea to learn about bike maintence by restoring a neglected old bike.
My first question, which may be the first of many, is about the break handle hoods. The old hoods have to go so I bought a new set of handles and hoods from ebay. However, there is a not nice feeling of stickyness. Is this a feature of old rubber or is there a way to get the hoods feeling nice again?
Thanks for any suggestions.....
04-21-22, 01:41 PM
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Great question! I don't know the answer, but look forward to the responses. I wonder if something like ArmorAll might help?
04-21-22, 01:52 PM
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Magic eraser, Dawn, water then I’ve been told, baby powder, but I’d imagine that would cause grime build up.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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04-21-22, 02:37 PM
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Not much to lose, sticky, icky or experiment and find a fix. Advise to proceed with caution as it can be made worse and or rip, tear, melt, etc. 
Last edited by merziac; 04-21-22 at 11:53 PM.
04-21-22, 02:44 PM
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I've only only ever succeeded in making sticky hoods worse. More often than not they just start to melt.
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04-21-22, 04:25 PM
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If they're new they certainly shouldn't be sticky.
I've made mine sticky cleaning them with the wrong cleaner. Repeated applications of baby powder before every ride eventually got them back to relatively normal.
I've made mine sticky cleaning them with the wrong cleaner. Repeated applications of baby powder before every ride eventually got them back to relatively normal.
04-21-22, 05:09 PM
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Soak in soapy water for 2-3 minutes on stove (not boiling!).
04-21-22, 05:27 PM
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clean them (warm water and dish detergent, sure),
DRY them,
apply glycerin and knead it in with your fingers.
lightly dust with favorite baby powder or talc (but not that stuff with asbestos...right?)
you might need to repeat the baby powder a couple times as it wears off.
DRY them,
apply glycerin and knead it in with your fingers.
lightly dust with favorite baby powder or talc (but not that stuff with asbestos...right?)
you might need to repeat the baby powder a couple times as it wears off.
04-21-22, 05:28 PM
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Send them back !!!
Should not be sticky at all.
If you cannot send back, then try above suggestions.
When I have cleaned "dirty" hoods....................all suggestions have failed
Good Luck
Should not be sticky at all.
If you cannot send back, then try above suggestions.
When I have cleaned "dirty" hoods....................all suggestions have failed
Good Luck
04-21-22, 07:03 PM
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I have run into this a few times. Not sure if my advice is good in all cases I clean them with Dawn dish soap, dry them with a towel and thenI just use them. The feel does get better in a short while (a few rides) and my guess is that the natural oils from your hands does the trick. That said, I usually (actually always) ride with my fingerless gloves but the stickiness does go away, sooner or later. The baby powder or corn starch does a quick repair also.
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04-21-22, 09:22 PM
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I think once it goes sticky, it will be impossible to restore the hoods as they had already broken down organically....on their way to becoming bacon.....
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05-03-22, 04:02 AM
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
Really nice to know there is a such an active community on here.
I tried some water and soap but I was cautious due to not wanting to make the problem worse. It seemed to help a little but not much. They were second hand vintage break levers with hoods, so i think it might be just old rubber causing the problem. I guess the whole idea of this project was to learn a few things along the way. Maybe they will recondition as I start to use them....
Thanks again everyone!
Really nice to know there is a such an active community on here.
I tried some water and soap but I was cautious due to not wanting to make the problem worse. It seemed to help a little but not much. They were second hand vintage break levers with hoods, so i think it might be just old rubber causing the problem. I guess the whole idea of this project was to learn a few things along the way. Maybe they will recondition as I start to use them....
Thanks again everyone!
05-03-22, 08:48 AM
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If you search the forum, you'll find several threads on which modern brake hoods fit which vintage levers.
My own solution to clean but sticky hoods is to lightly mist them with a couple coats of clear spray paint.
Mist, not paint.
Works with many plastic-rubbery items
My own solution to clean but sticky hoods is to lightly mist them with a couple coats of clear spray paint.
Mist, not paint.
Works with many plastic-rubbery items
10-29-23, 09:01 AM
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Clean with Isopropyl alcohol and then apply baby powder.
When cleaning, wipe in one direction. Avoid wiping back and forth or in circles. This will only smear the grime. Wipe the junk to the edge of the hood, then wipe away.
If after a ride, either from rain or excessive sweat, the hoods start to become sticky again, just apply a little more baby powder.
Try this before buying new hoods for your vintage bike.
Before
After
When cleaning, wipe in one direction. Avoid wiping back and forth or in circles. This will only smear the grime. Wipe the junk to the edge of the hood, then wipe away.
If after a ride, either from rain or excessive sweat, the hoods start to become sticky again, just apply a little more baby powder.
Try this before buying new hoods for your vintage bike.
Before
After
10-29-23, 09:46 AM
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One man's gooey is another man's sticky.
Gooey hoods cannot be redeemed and replacement is about it. Ultegra 6500, I'm talking about you.
Gooey hoods cannot be redeemed and replacement is about it. Ultegra 6500, I'm talking about you.
10-29-23, 09:52 AM
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The white hoods are the worst. I use mr clean eraser pad and follow with the baby powder.
