Refurbishing old rubber conveyor belts

[roamingstop]

Im wondering if some people could provide a little help...

I have two old models: 351 and 360 Brick Yard and Quarry sets; the conveyor belts and rubber are all in excellent condition for their age... but they have suffered from being static for too long. What does that mean?...

Well assume the belt has stayed in a fixed position for a long time and become slightly preshaped. When the handle of the conveyor belt is rotated, the belt moves with it until the belt has traveled approximately 180 degrees; at which point the handle slips. If you manually assist the belt slightly the handle can 'get a grip' again and the belt will continue moving until the next 'bump'.

Does anyone know how to adjust the belt so that it remains in a good friction all the time? Does it make sense to clean the rubber belt in hot water (not too hot) to help soften it / the bumps; or should it be left well alone for its age?

Any hints and tips would be gratefully appreciated; as I have a plan to make the model into a slightly fun toy for some children I know.

Thanks

Roamingstudio

[LukeClarenceVan]

I would suggest replacing it with a newer belt if you can get one, depending on if the rubber's cracked or not it may or may not improve with hot water treatment.

[roamingstop]

No obvious cracks in the rubber - they are all pretty good condition.

[Front]

I would suggest fitting it around a cylinder of appropriate diameter, not tensioning the belt, and drop it into maybe 40 degree hot water. I'm not sure how it will work, but I guess you will have to leave it in the circular shape for quite some while, maybe heating it with water once in a while.

[roamingstop]

Well I tried something similar to Front's suggestion - and used nearly boiling water... (probably about 80C for a few minutes) but it worked successfully. Thanks for the tips!