OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I recently picked up a nice looking old Ascot hardbat (1960s?)

Unfortunately the rubbers have completely hardened, so the bat is unusable in its present condition.
Which is a shame as the blade feels good (heavy and slow) and the rubber is all intact.

Any suggestions of a substance I could apply to soften the rubber??

have tried olive oil-soaked in but didn't soften it.

perhaps something petroleum based??

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FH: DHS Neo Skyline III
BH: Palio AK 1997 Biotech
Blade: YEO


http://www.murrayfieldtt.com | http://www.youtube.com/user/MurrayfieldTTC

I have a 50 yr. old paddle which had the same problem; I finally had to send it to a friend who was knowledgeable about doing such things without damaging the wood, and I think he used something like an acetone needle to slowly break the bond between the rubber and the blade.

I'm happy to say he didn't damage the wood at all, and after Ross (of this forum) was kind enough to let me ship it to him and seal it up for me, I have brand new hardbat rubber on it and it's good as new.

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Custom Blade 'Hard Justice' w/ Yasaka Cobalt a
Tatco Hornet w/ ATP Leland Era

Most of the time the pips become "frictionless" due to surface oxidation and interaction with grease. I have restored some short pips by using soap, water and kitchen scrub sponge to rub off surface "frictionless" coating on the pips. Now they work fine. You can also use very fine sandpaper to remove the "frictionless" coating that formed with age before you give it a wash.