Cleaning out old flapper valves

[Ron Hearn]

Hi

I'm looking for a clean none abrasive method for removing the old gummed up flapper valve from a jet air phenolic case with out scratching into it as well as the existing hose.

Thanks

Ron

[Captain]

Normally I use laquer thinner on metal cans but I don't know what effect it might have on the phenolic.

[SeaRat]

Ron,

Believe it or not, water is a solvent. Since this is a Jet Air, what I would do is to take the bottom box off, and the hose if possible, and put it in water for about a week. I think you'll find that the neoprene will swell and get soft, and it may even come off when you put your finger into it and work it around. I think I'd try that before anything.

The phenolic is pretty tough stuff, and if you're good with a pocket knife, you could separate the layers after the soaking with little or no damage to the underlying plastic base.

I have had both a Jet Air, and a Blue Fifty Fathom in the past (gave them up years ago, unfortunately). I found that the valves separated fairly easily from the plastic if allowed to do so.

John

[duckbill]

Hi Ron,
I don't know how much more or less the rubber sticks to plastic than to metal, or how much harder or softer the phenolic is compared to a plastic spoon, but that is what I use on my metal rigs. The serrations work wonders without scratching the metal. I also found, and I can't explain it, that the hardened rubber pops off more easily when pushed longitudinally with the axis of the tube than when scraped around the circumference. Might be worth a try, but be careful.

[SeaRat]

Duckbill,

Did you ever get that old flapper valve out of your Jet Air?

John

[duckbill]

duckbill said:

Hi Ron,
I don't know how much more or less the rubber sticks to plastic than to metal, or how much harder or softer the phenolic is compared to a plastic spoon..........

Oops! FYI&WIW, I meant a plastic KNIFE.