Best way to store diaphragms?

[UncleMike]

I've got a set of vacuum slides that have been shimmed and had the needles changed according to the stage 3 jet kit for the 1150. I don't want to put them in now, but that doesn't mean I won't in the future.

In the meantime, what's the best way to store them so they don't rot out or worse? Coat them in something? Just leave them in the spare rack I've got? Ziplock bags?

[Nessism]

My vote is to clean them with soap and water, dry off, stick in plastic bag, stick bag in box, stick box in cool dry place.

[tkent02]

Not sure if it's the same, some neoprene ski boot liners said it was ozone that made them deteriorate, so an airtight bag would be a good start. I like Nessism's idea, I would also turn the diaphragms down evenly so they don't get crinkled anywhere, like they do when laid on their sides..

[UncleMike]

Wonderful. Thanks guys!

[Guest]

Chunk em in the tool box

[rapidray]

The SAFEST way is in the carbs. Ray.

[lucabond]

Ask your girlfriend how she keeps her diaphragm form drying out, lol

[sachsaca]

OK, this is from a plastics engineer I used to work with, find a pure silicone, coat them heavily and store them soaked in the silicone. The guy said anything rubber will last forever as long as it is soaked and coated.

[Guest]

I'd spray them with a silicone lubricant and do what Ed said.
I'd also be happy to store them in my carbs.

[salty_monk]

Coat them in silicon, stick them in the carb rack the seal the whole lot in a bag... or like me, just chuck the rack up on the shelf....

Dan

[Nessism]

Silicone sounds risky to me; we don't know what the slide diapharams are made out of and the oils may attack the rubber. No risk my way.

[Guest]

put them in your purse

You mean in his murse.

Tony.

[Guest]

OK, this is from a plastics engineer I used to work with, find a pure silicone, coat them heavily and store them soaked in the silicone. The guy said anything rubber will last forever as long as it is soaked and coated.

I was a rubber chemist for a few years. keep the silicone away from them. There are many kinds of silicones, with many kinds of additives, and you have no way of knowing what is in them. They were designed to work in gasoline.

Store them clean and dry in a zip-lock bag, surrounded separated by some stiff cardboard. The cardboard with keep them from being folded other things near them get moved. That will be your real danger, things that might fold or puncture them.

And, as expensive as they are, label them well.

I think that if I had a set of them, I'd stick them in a folder in a file cabinet.

[Nessism]

Factory packing for new slides...

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I've used silicone spray for many years and it really helps rubber parts stay in good condition. On my bikes and cars, including under the cars. As said earlier, there are different types of silicone. I admit I never researched them all but the stuff I use from work seems to help any rubber part I apply it to. I even use it on my wiper blades and it doubles their normal life if not more.
I've applied it to various carb rubber parts I've stored for years and they always look good when I need them. Never stored diaphragms though. I imagine storing them flat in a baggie in a cool place would be good enough if you're worried at all about spraying some silicone on them.