Door Seals ? *winter

[moribundman]

Me no good posty before cup of tea in the am.

Deer tallow has no smell, it is not greasy, it prevents seals (the critters, too!

) from freezing to the door frame, and it conditions natural and synthetic rubber. It's also inexpensive.

 

[mstrjon32]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
When I worked for GM some years ago I heard of door seals actually freezing together on cars up north, and you couldn't even get the door open. And when you did get it open it would ruin the rubber seals. I have heard of frozen door lock mechanisms too, and I understand there is a door lock "de-icer" used for that. Forgive me, but I can't even imagine living in a place that cold...


Been there, done that. My 1997 Monte Carlo was especially susceptible to having the doors freeze shut. Many mornings I walked outside with a bucket of hot water already in hand. I had to deal with that problem countless times.

 

[Samilcar]

Originally Posted By: Brett Miller
I like Aero 303 on door seals, leaves no residue to get on clothes.


I'm going to have to try this. I've always used dielectric grease, which does keep the seals from freezing shut, but is messy.

 

[Loogie]

Some of the spray silicones have a lot of carrier (petroleum based, I believe)--and you can tell by the smelly nature. Silicone is odorless.

If you want pure silicone, go to a scuba shop and get a tin of pure silicone lube (consistency of Vaseline). It is used with rubber o-rings in scuba gear, and will absolutely not degrade the seals.
It is pricey, but very good stuff.

 

[Steve S]

I have been using Black Magic tire or interior protectant on everything plastic vinyl or "rubber" for the last 15 years and the stuff works great. Keeps everything like new.

 

[Drew2000]

You want to use water-based silicone sprays like LPS HD Silicone Spray. Alot of the cheaper silicone spray products are loaded with petroleum fillers and solvents that can degrade rubber and do not contain very much silicone. Water-based silicone sprays have very little odor.

Drew

 

[eljefino]

My door seals all seal up against painted metal. Have, in the past, rubbed wax on the paint, disabled the dome light, and let dry. Didn't even wipe it off, had that stupid white swirly look. But it sure kept the doors from freezing shut!

In hindsight, don't know what it did to the rubber it was in contact with... but worked at least for my beaters.

 

[moribundman]

Rendering seal blubber and using the finest seal oil might be an option.

 

[aaxb970]

I use vasoline every fall but I don't know if its ok long term?