As I'm going to change the pneumatic cloth on my pneumatics, I discover
that the new cloth has a very "dry" surface, and is stiff when glued on
the pneumatics. (Not because any hot glue is spilled.

The surface is not completely black, and turns grey when exposed to
pressure.  Some rubber comes off when rubbed not forcefully with a
fingernail.

I was expecting a rubber surface more like tyres,  black, and sticky,
(when the talcum powder's removed), and more shiny and smooth than this
cloth is.

The penumatics are not completely airtight, and are stiffer than the
old ones, although much more airtight than them. Some of the stiffness
seems to be "softened" by opening and closing the penumatics several
times.

Has this cloth been stored by the manufacturer for several years, or is
this normal?  Should  I send a sample of the cloth back, and complain?

Sincerely Thomas Henden, Norway.