Transmission fluid additive in the hydraulic system

This is a hairball grade better than nothing band-aid for a leaking hydraulic cylinder seal. Directions must be followed exactly to the letter or total cylinder seal failure will occur.

Brake fluid. Any.

Cloths (2) both clean.

Wipe extended protruding cylinder shaft to clean off hydraulic oil.

Wipe on a THIN coat of brake fluid to the exposed cylinder shaft. Careful! No drops, no slops.
Now retract the cylinder shaft.
Wait 3 hours.

Extend the shaft.

Did this reduce the amount of leakage?
Brake fluid swells neoprene. But I warn you, this is a tourniquet not a health spa treatment.

Try Lucas Power Steering Fluid with Conditioners. It claims to have seal conditioner in it. Power steering and transmission fluids are both just hydraulic fluid so should be compatible.

I was talking about an additive I could add to the fluid reservoir and have it soften the seals. I would hate to add something to the fluid and have all 4 jacks quit working. I guess the safe way is to just keep the cylinders lubricated from time to time.

Ken

This is a question senor westend, not a comment or a critique of your response...

Is not extremely fine emery cloth referred to as "crocus cloth"? I would like to re-learn this as I have projects that would love to see "fine emery cloth" and wish to know for sure if the term "crocus cloth" would succinctly define what I need to a hardware store employee north of the border.

Extend the cylinder with no load on it to the maximum travel. Using fine emery cloth, polish the exposed piston. Wipe down with solvent to remove any sanding dust. Oil piston lightly with a lubricant that doesn't deteriorate plastic or rubber (motor oil works well and this eliminates WD-40 as a lubricant).