I have a couple cars with original rubber weatherstripping like door seals & window squeegees that are still soft & pliable due to being abandoned projects that were garaged for 15 years. Any suggestions on how to keep it soft once they hit the road again?
I doubt a cheap product like Armor-all will save them for very long.
When I purchased brand new convertible a few years ago, the dealer recommended using Vaseline on the rubber weatherstripping. Did that for the four years I owned it and never had a problem.
Dwayne :)
I read years ago that silicone spray lubricant is good to use. It seems to work because I have been using it for years on my rubber and they are still soft and pliable. Things like door seals you can spray in the perfs to get better penetration.
this isn't exactly "care" but still relevant. when i when to remove the back windows from my 78 hatchback, the rubber seals were rock hard and would flex to let the window out. I smothered them in WD40 a couple times a day for three days and they softened up and look like new. The windows came out easy and I'm planning on reusing the rubber seals.
i have used spary for the last ten years on my 75 bobcat and most the the if not all is still like new, the fl heat does take its toll on some rubber and plastic parts though!!1
I spent $400 getting new rubber for the '80 & the '73 & I want it to last forever. I got lucky with my wagon & the '71 rubber is in near perfect shape. I'm definitely gonna try & keep it that way.
Last thing you want to use is Armor-All that rots rubber I lost a a set of tires using that crap, unless you keep it saturated all the time the rubber will dry up and crack in no time..
Quote from: 74 PintoWagon on July 03, 2013, 09:07:35 PM
Last thing you want to use is Armor-All that rots rubber I lost a a set of tires using that crap, unless you keep it saturated all the time the rubber will dry up and crack in no time..
Black Magic tire shine destroyed my dually tires. As soon as I stopped using it they started cracking. I need to find the best vinyl protectant for my dashes too.
Agree with the silicone spray for weatherstripping. Also works for me for tools. Lubricates and protects but isn't greasy after it dries. :) Ymmv.
I would go with silicone spray. You can get at a water ski shop or diving shop. I used for years for winter water ski dry suit seals. Fred ;)
tried the wd40 trick today on a set of pop out window seals I got over the weekend and worked great!
work a try its cheap, now that they are pretty soft will silicone them to keep them soft!!
Silicone spray is what we used at the Ford dealer when these cars were new.
I'm gonna try the WD-40 on my popout rubber when I get a chance. I have silicone spray already so I'll give it a shot on my wagon & see what happens.