Weather Strips

[lancerplayer]

What do you use to keep the rubber weather strip material clean and increase it's life?

What is you automatic "go to" product for this detailing?

Thanks!

 

[ddtmoto]

Wurth rubber care gel stick here....

 

[EdwardC]

I've been using Honda Shin Etsu stuff. Pricey, but supposedly the god-grease for random squeaks from door/window/sunroof seal. A little goes a long way.

If I didn't already have the Shin-Etsu stuff, I would probably use silicone paste, or even dielectric grease. Again, just a little on the seals rubbed in, then wiped off.

I have heard that aerospace 303 protectant is good for that application too, especially for its UV blocking abilities. I've never tried though.

 

[qwertydude]

Silicone grease. It's readily available. Dielectric grease is just a higher grade of the stuff that doesn't have as many impurities.

 

[DaHen]

Been using and happy with Einszett's Gummi Pflege Stift. It cleans, conditions & protects rubber weather seals.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I use leather conditioner on mine. Has kept my car`s almost 20 year old weatherstripping in brand new condition.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: ddtmoto
Wurth rubber care gel stick here....


They've discontinued this product (in the states at least).

They're also NOT allowed to sell the aerosol version of this in states with the newest Cali style ultra-low VOC laws either.

 

[JHZR2]

One of these days I plan to try dot 5 brake fluid. Yup, it's good old Dow Corning silicone oil. The benefit here is that opposed to aerosol silicone or something, there is no chance of there being petroleum distillates or other problematic stuff in there, so it should be benign on any non-silicone rubber.

 

[buck91]

I've always used Meguiars M40 vinyl and rubber protectant. Might not be the most durable treatment, though.

 

[DBMaster]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
One of these days I plan to try dot 5 brake fluid. Yup, it's good old Dow Corning silicone oil. The benefit here is that opposed to aerosol silicone or something, there is no chance of there being petroleum distillates or other problematic stuff in there, so it should be benign on any non-silicone rubber.


What a great idea, actually! I'm going to get a bottle.

 

[DBMaster]

I've been using silicone spray lubricant for thirty years as a preservative for weather stripping. It works well for me. I found spray cans of "100% silicone" spray at Elliot's hardware in Plano and it's even better. I think that the silicone brake fluid goes one step further, especially since when I use the spray cans I just spray it onto a paper towel to apply it.

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah I first pitched the idea here:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3266065/Silicone_brake_fluid_and_rubbe

Went thru the MSDS, bought a bottle... misplaced the bottle, have done nothing since. Ill buy a bottle and try it as soon as I remember...

 

[DBMaster]

Well, I ordered a bottle today, Mr. New Jersey. I am confident it will work and be more economical and environmentally friendly than the spray cans I have been using.

That is why I like this site. The ideas I get from reading others' posts is priceless.

 

[JHZR2]

Awesome! I still haven't gotten around to it, so please post pictures as you put it on, especially if you have some dried out or sticky rubber!

 

[dailydriver]

Are we SURE that there is NO other active ingredients in DOT 5 (NO; borates, other esters, etc.) according to the MSDS and/or spec data sheets??

Can DOT 5 even be anything other than pure silicone oil, with NO other additives, by NHTSA/FMVSS rules/laws?

 

[DBMaster]

The current car is only two years old and spends days in the company parking garage and nights in my garage. Probably won't be a great test.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Are we SURE that there is NO other active ingredients in DOT 5 (NO; borates, other esters, etc.) according to the MSDS and/or spec data sheets??

Can DOT 5 even be anything other than pure silicone oil, with NO other additives, by NHTSA/FMVSS rules/laws?

Sure, there is Tributyl phosphate at 2.5%, but that's all in the latest MSDS.

An older MSDS lists:

Ingred NameIMETHYL POLYSILOXANE (MONOMER: DIMETHYL SILOXANE),
SILICONE FLUID, DOW CORNING 200, POLYMETHYLSILOXANE *98-1*
CAS:63148-62-9
RTECS #:JT6484500
Fraction by Wt: 95%

Ingred Name:SEBAIC ACID, BIS(2-ETHYLHEXYL)ESTER, SYNTHETIC ESTER
CAS:122-62-3
RTECS #:VS1000000
Fraction by Wt: 3%

Ingred Name:TRIBUTYL PHOSPHATE
CAS:126-73-8
RTECS #:TC7700000
Fraction by Wt: 2%
Other REC Limits:0.2 PPM
OSHA PEL:5 MG/CUM
ACGIH TLV:2.2 MG/CUM



I cannot imagine that phosphates in this are any worse than phosphates used in soaps, and the ester if it swells dried and older rubber may be very good. Remember that it is only 5% total of an infinitessimally thin film of stuff... But of course always good to try it out first.

I have one bad spot on my 91 BMW where the seal has a gouge that is loose, but its also non-essential as it has never leaked... So its a good compatability check...

 

[DBMaster]

I got my bottle of silicone fluid today. I dressed the weather strip for the rear hatch. Only time will tell, but it was a lot easier to use than having to spray silicone onto a paper towel first. The liquid was absorbed well by the rubber and left little residue.