Used Wren Concertina - All buttons attached to each other?

[Stephen Chambers]

12 hours ago, Rexotank said:

That seems to describe whats happened here. Do you know if it's just a product of heat, or perhaps some other catalyst? In any case, thanks for the explanation. 

 

It's simply that rubber can melt plastic, and it's not just a problem with factory-made concertinas from China, or Italy. See this YouTube video about model cars: Rubber Can Cause Plastic Parts To Melt

 

I'd usually just replace the rubber-tubing button bushes with silicone tubing, as long as the plastic buttons aren't too badly damaged. But that unusual, added (to prevent the buttons disappearing inside?), keyboard bushing plate might make matters more complicated than usual.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 5, 2024 by Stephen Chambers
Edited to add "(to prevent the buttons disappearing inside?)"

[David Lay]

9 hours ago, Stephen Chambers said:

 

It's simply that rubber can melt plastic, and it's not just a problem with factory-made concertinas from China, or Italy. See this YouTube video about model cars: Rubber Can Cause Plastic Parts To Melt

 

I'd usually just replace the rubber-tubing button bushes with silicone tubing, as long as the plastic buttons aren't too badly damaged. But that unusual, added (to prevent the buttons disappearing inside?), keyboard bushing plate might make matters more complicated than usual.

 

 

 

 

Materials in contact with each other sometimes transfers solvents or plasticizers between the two changing the properties of one or both.  It is not actually melting, but dissolving.

Edited December 5, 2024 by David Lay

[Stephen Chambers]

4 hours ago, David Lay said:

Materials in contact with each other sometimes transfers solvents or plasticizers between the two changing the properties of one or both.  It is not actually melting, but dissolving.

 

In scientific language perhaps, but I'm using everyday/layman's language.