Looking for a good product to rejuvinate (and protect) the rubber seals around the windows and moonroof. Should help to get rid of some of the wind noise I am experiencing. UT is VERY hot and dry all summer, much of the pliability (is that a word) is gone from my seals but they aren't cracked, just getting hard. Any ideas?

 

dmp

I wanna know, too. Mine are just old and cracking a bit.

use a q-tip and drench them real good with armor all every few months.

Try using Formula 303. Here's the link:

http://www.303products.com/main.php

 

 

~Howard

yea id agree nothin is better for that than 303 its great stuff

Amour All is the spawn of the devil ... SHUN IT for all time.

 

No kidding.

Anyone know where you can get 303 Aerospace Protectant in Oz. Google search was not very productive. Thanks Ian

Ian, doesn't Selleys make a similar product? When I lived in Singapore I had some good experiences with their prodcts - admittedly, this was ten years ago :-)

www.overtons.com has ok prices, but it is a boating store so you might get it cheaper other places.

Silicone spray works well, as does brake fluid (but do not get any on paint).

I have also used a product called "Back to Black" which I think is put out by Mother's (?) No complaints, restores black color quite well.

 

-Heikki

Silicone will deteriorate the rubber seals. I got Formula #303 at Strauss Auto. All of 303's products are available for purchase by mail from the company:

 

http://www.303products.com/main.php

Free samples too !

 

 

~Howard

thanx for the heads up on the free samples. heres the link so you dont have any excuse not to try it. www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=freesample

Most of the other products eg Armor All are a dispersion of silicone oils, is 303 different?

OH by the way for Aussie members 303 products are reputably available from Auto One and a few boating places as well.

Some folks might be surprised and even balk at hearing this... but I've seen it done where old motor oil is wiped onto the exposed surfaces of body rubber seals (such as windows and trims). Leave it on for a a few hours (a sunny day helps) then wipe off the excess. They say the oil gets into the pores of the rubber and seals it against water and sun damage. I'm not saying how well I think this might work... only that I've heard of some serious 'car folks' doing it and liking the results.

 

James

silicone spray lube, CARQUEST BRAND , works very good, good results, keeps seals from freezing too!

warning against silicone! i would not recommend it as you will not be able to paint over it. if you are gonna use it be very sure you dotn get any on the paint.

Yes sir! Keep silicone off the paint, but certaily smear it all over your seals. It works, and doesn't deteriorate the seals. I have been using it for over a decade and never damaged anything. I have however, successfully rejuvenated some very tired looking seals with it. From faded light grey, back to black!

Formula 303 works better than silicone. Give it a try. I'm sure you'll see the difference.

 

~Howard

Another vote for 303 Aerospace Protectant. I ordered mine directly from them.

 

Works great on the vinyl too.

 

I believe Girot's Garage (sp?) has a similar product.

 

Commuter

So 303 it is... BUT,

 

I will try a little silicone (as soon as I get an authoritative answer on the damage/no damage question) on one strip just to see the difference. If it is significant I will surely post pictures and results for all to see!

 

dmp

I'm no chemist or plastics / rubber expert, so this is mostly 'hearsay'.

 

It seems that silcone (ArmorAll, etc) is one of those "good point, bad points" products. It's probably better than doing nothing. It does help in some ways. It is detrimental in others. And it takes time to really see or know the difference. One is not going to be able to tell from one application.

 

I use to use ArmorAll many years ago. I hadn't used anything on my cars for years when I got the 303 stuff. What I noticed was that it was not as greasy as the ArmorAll. It went on nice and didn't seem to be as harsh on the hands/skin. (One probably should use some vinyl gloves... *shrug*). It lasts for quite a while on the vinyl and it certainly seems to have kept my weatherstipping pliable. And I only get it on about twice a year, maybe 3 times if I'm lucky.

 

2 years ago when I had major work done on my car, the dealer treated me to a "car cleaning". I never asked what they used, but the vinyl didn't look as good, or stay looking good for very long. And I had a film of 'something' on the entire inside of my windows! I've heard of other products causing the more volatile constituents of the plastic to 'evaporate' and coat the windows. It certainly seems to be what happened, but I didn't recall that effect from years ago when I use to use the ArmorAll product. Whatever. It was interesting to note though.

 

Good luck.

 

Commuter

Another vote for 303 Aerospace Protectant. I ordered mine directly from them.

 

Works great on the vinyl too.

 

Commuter

Ditto here, except I buy mine at TC's OFF ROAD in Kent. I've used it for years and this is one of those products that is worth the price. Yep it costs more.