The cartridges for my laser printer have the heat roller built into them. Therefore when a cartridge is used up there is a precision ground and probably hardened 8mm shaft with stepped ends there for the taking

. There are also some matching brass (possibly bronze?) bushes.
Only problem is, the shaft is coated with a 1mm or so thick layer of rubber for most of it's length. Any ideas on how to remove this layer of rubber without marring the steel underneath? I thought about burning it off, but I don't want to create yucky burnt rubber smells to annoy the neighbors or the Minister for Finance.
The rod itself has flat ends stepped down to about 4mm. I don't think it will take a centre drill (it appears to be hardened), so I will have to use the fixed steady to hold the end if I cut the rubber off in the lathe. If I try this, how would I grind the tool for this particular job? I have lots of 10mm and 8mm HSS and a bench grinder.