Yakima hully rollers rubber degradation

Just wondering if anyone else out there had this happen.
My Yakima rollers are old, probably 15-16 years old. About 2-3 years ago the rubber covering on them began to degrade into...some kind of gummy mess that barely resembled rubber anymore.
It didn't melt, it just ...changed, into something nowhere near the durometer it started as.
They ended up leaving huge gross smears on the kayak hull. Yesterday, thanks to Covid, I had the time to finally peel off all the gunk and clean the rollers down to the gray plastic.
I ended up using a scraper and an alcohol soaked rag and a kitchen scrubby to clean off the yak hull.

anyone else out there have their rollers ...degrade like this?

I keep a set of Yakima rollers in the garage. I have them tied to the wall under harsh lights, where I insult them and their families.  Occasionally get physical....


Oops! Just re-read your post and realize you are trying to AVOID roller degradation.

Never mind.

Bouché

Happened to mine, got them in 2004.  Wrapped them with Gorilla tape and they have worked fine for another couple of years.

As long as they have got a safe word, no judgement, you do you Bushy!

Happened to mine, got them in 2004.  Wrapped them with Gorilla tape and they have worked fine for another couple of years.

I had to do something as they were making the hull of that nice yellow T13 all dirty!

I was considering the Gorilla tape, or maybe some bicycle tube rubber and zip ties. Right now they are just clean plastic, so I'll try em like that for the next sesh and go from there.

Mine too. Following with interest. The things leave sticky goo on everything. Bad Hully Bad!