Please inform me. What manufacturers in this industry have silicone rubber? Also if anyone has tried them could you very specifically tell me what you like and don’t like about them.
Henry
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Sorbo has silicone squeegees
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They are great when you first start with a fresh rubber they are nice and super fast, however within a few hours the edge rounds off and starts to leave a smeary film and what was nice and fast has now become slow and clunky.
Thanx Sal. I will contact them.
And Steve. VERY interesting! Cuz they are REALLY promoted for windshield wiper rubber. I truly believe what you have said. It would not surprise me if no one has got the formula right for us yet.
There are three basic chemistrys for silicone rubber. Platinum based, RTV alkoxy crosslinked, and peroxide based. Some of the physical properties are hardness, tensile strength, and percent of elongation. I should probably get a conversation going with some silicone rubber chemists.
I personally want a rubber that is very resistant to nicks. Also one that remains ‘new sharp’ for a long time. Most guys like Ettore. I can tell after ten minutes of use that it is starting to wear out. So. What actually does happen to the edge? And why? What physical properties are responsible for this? And what chemical formulas would promote these properties both for ‘carbon rubber’ and for silicone rubber?
Henry
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Hi Henry,
I use the Facelift Razrblade Red and have done so for most of this year. I purchased it as ‘rubber’ but it has a very different texture to Ettore, Wagtail, Unger etc etc. It has a ‘soft plastic’ feel to it. I use Ecover/IPA 50/50 and the slip is really very good. I have wondered whether it is a silicone ‘rubber’. Also the longevity I find is superb. I had reasoned that because the slip is so good I was just using a much lighter touch. Maybe there is more to it than that?
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I just thought i should add, the silicone rubber I had experience was red it was apparently Australian made and with was at least 10 years ago.
This is REALLY great info guys. It tells me SO much.
I am having conversations with manufacturers and chemists right now. Looking to learn a LOT. As you all probably know I move around a lot. So keep my interest going.
I am thinking this will always be a niche market. But with carbon rubber already taking in over 99% of it there is room to grow. It is because of that too that I don’t believe any window cleaning supply manufacturer has put much time or effort into it. Although the guys that make silicone rubber for windshield wipers have.
The first thing I learned when I started on this route was that there are many options. The formulas are many. I mean unbelievable! I also believe there are some VERY big reasons why the auto aftermarket industry has explored this technology for windshield wiper blades. Which I think you have just explained. Great slip, better longevity, and the need for a lighter touch to remove water.
So I need to call the WCR today and order what they have. Test these out myself. Then let you know what I think from my own experience.
Please keep this going guys. I really need a diversion this winter. Stuff to play with.
Henry
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[MENTION=507]Henry[/MENTION], I’m excited to see where your research takes you in this area. I’m already dying to try some FaceLift rubber- although it wasn’t perfectly clear to me whether that’s even a silicone based rubber
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Yes Alex. I also have no clue too. There is absolutely no mention made of the silicone on the WCW website. We really do not know if Facelift uses silicone in the [COLOR=#333333] Razrblade Red. I heard that Sorbo has a silicone rubber. So I will check this out right now. I will only order the Razrblade Red if I can confirm that it IS silicone. This is really interesting. Really.
Henry
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So how did it go, was razor silicone or natural rubber?
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Unfortunately I never finalized that one. My thoughts however are that silicone rubber when done right (such as for windshield wipers) is better than organic rubber. However the cost of using such a high quality formula would likely prevent the manufacturers from doing it. So right now the organic rubber is the best. And I always use Ettore rubber.
Henry
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