What Happened to Sealtex Latex Bit Wrap? Was Going To Try It On My Muzzle

Silicone tape would probably work well. I’ve used it one a lot things. Vet wrap would work as well.

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Truth! LOL That’s why I usually use duct tape for this - the sturdier stuff for sure, but since I’m pretty much making it all stick to itself, it sticks pretty well for quite a long time.

What are you even talking about I just bought some.

We’re pretty wise to trolls and bots here. Go back where you came from. Issues procuring Sealtex are well known among people who own horses.

Hey, Zu_Zu, what do you recommend to remove the gummy sticky residue left by old decayed Sealtex-type wrap? I bought a couple of older Bowman bits that had a latex wrap. It was hardened and chipping off but left goo or adhesive on the bits. And the curb chains. (rolleyes) One bit is copper wire wrapped, too, so I don’t want to use anything that would corrode copper.

I have used EVERYTHING ! It’s not easy ~ sometimes I could remove the decayed sealtex by cutting with surgical scissors and scraping the rest off with a pocket knife. Others times I would use a small wire brush ( think bbq brush or a farriers wire hoof brush and then sometimes rubbing alcohol. Once (don’t tell please) I put a snaffle bit in the dishwasher ! :crazy_face: Honestly some bits required all the mentioned techniques and TIME and just scrubbing/ rubbing with a cotton cloth or sometimes leather work gloves would rub it off !

When you discover a better method please share ~ and lastly Good Luck - and know it’s always worth the effort ! IMHO to save a good bit ~

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Thanks for the tips. I have 2 curb bits and 3 chains that were wrapped in the stuff. I think I’ll just buy replacement chains and just clean off the bits. :grin:

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Good Plan - I believe I just tossed or re-wrapped the chains with more sealtex -

* the thing about Sealtex ~ one loves it until they don’t’ :crazy_face:/ due to removal or replacement ~

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This turned out to be surprisingly easy. The goo seems to be only decomposing latex instead of adhesive. Latex has no known chemical resistance, haha. Any alcohol will eventually work. Either disinfectant wipes, or a rag with 70% alcohol hand sanitizer, will take off a thin layer pronto. For the chains and the items with thicker sections of crusty stuff, a soak in 90% rubbing alcohol or 70% sanitizer would probably do it. The copper wrapped Bowman bit is a real mess and its texture makes mechanical removal (wiping or brushing) difficult. So for that one, and the chains, I will use my Hail Mary mix of 50/50 lacquer thinner & denatured alcohol and just soak it off. I’ll get a cheap plastic food storage container from Dollar Tree, with snap-on lid and soak it outdoors away from heat/sparks/flames/ 50/50 lacquer thinner + denatured alcohol will dissolve almost anything. I’ve used it to strip old oil based paints off of doors and furniture.

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Good job ! @TC3200

Thanks for sharing !

Finished this nasty job. The copper wrap bit is a stamped Bowman that I got for $20 + postage. The stainless one has no markings on it. It was $25 with 2 wrapped curb chains. I have lots of hand sanitizer that I bought for $1 / bottle, and I was too cheap to go buy the denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner. So I used the hand sanitizer. Before:

After:


Quit throwing away the gunky curb chains. Or, send them to me. heehee
The copper wrapped bit had layer of hardened adhesive 1/8" thick in places. I soaked the copper bit in a baggie full of thick hand sanitizer 70% alcohol for about 4 hours, figuring the heavybodied solvent would help with the textured mouth. Then I cleaned off the mouthpiece with an SOS pad and Barkeeper’s Friend + a toothbrush. There was still some thick junk stuck, so I used paper towels and Goof Off pro formula spray to gradually thin and wipe it off. Then I scrubbed again with the SOS pad and that got it all.

The stainless bit and wrapped chains, I cut / peeled /chipped off all the latex tape that I could. Then I soaked that bit and the crusty chains >24 hours in 70% plain old cheap rubbing alcohol plus a few good squirts of the Goof Off Pro spray. That made all the crusty bits drop right off. Then I polished the bit with Mother’s Mag & Aluminum Polish and I’ll SOS pad scrub those curb chains. SOS pad does a great job of brightening up old darkened chains. Good as new. How many chains did you waste? hehheh

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Both of those bit are stainless. But I think the same method would be okay for sweetwater iron or chrome plated or Never Rust.

Never Rust is the most susceptible to chemical attack or etching. I clean NR by immersing it in vinegar + salt. Completely submerging it, because any part sticking out of the liquid will get a heavily etched groove cut into it at the waterline. I leave it in the acidic bath for “a while”, i.e. long enough that it’s softened the outer green slimy layer. Then I use an SOS or Brillo pad to scour the metal to brightness, followed by Mother’s Mag polish to put a mirror finish on it. Never Rust looks great, like polished German Silver, b/c German Silver is also a nickel alloy. I like the Never Rust for damp climates that’ll make stainless start to rust or pit.

The chains after soaking. No SOS pad or polishing.
.

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I just have to say… Holy crap! I bow down to your amazing bit cleaning skills. Wow!!!

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Blue Ribbon !!! Your bits look wonderful ! Thanks for sharing your method ! ~

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Nice steal on that Bowman bit - they sell new for around $170!
Both look brand new after your cleaning method, which I will be saving for my own future use. Thanks for sharing.

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Many people put stainless steel bits in the dishwasher once in a while, especially when using bits between horses. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. :slightly_smiling_face:

Don’t know about a gummed up bit though…

Good job @TC3200 !

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When my husband leaves the house all my bits, feed pans, horse boots , stirrups get a run through the dishwasher. Works amazing.

You can also use denture cleaner on funky bits, it loosens everything up and usually just rinsed clean.

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Plughz the earplug company just came out with a non latex but similar wrapping product!

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share some exciting news with you. Our company has recently introduced a latex foam alternative for Sealtex in Europe. We’re now actively searching for distribution partners in the US.

If you’re interested or want more information, please feel free to visit our website at bitsoft.store or drop us a line at info@bitsoft.store. Any assistance or guidance you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!