Hi,
My vintage vehicle has sunlight exposed windshield rubber seals. This is the type which has used until the end of the 80s. Even though the vehicle is 35 years old, the seal still look OK without cracks but somewhat faded compared to new rubber. I am NOT looking for a solution for the door seals (like many people due to winter problems), only the windshield rubber seal that is exposed to constant sunlight.
I want to treat this windshield seal with a product so that I can get another 35 years out of it. I am NOT looking for a quick fix where I apply some sort of "rubber conditioner" every 3-6-12 months on and on. I want a more permanent fix, an apply and forget product.
Can anyone recommend a suitable product for long term rubber protection? I read that some people in the US are very fond of a rubber protectant called 303 - but I feel (without knowing) that it needs to be applied quite often. In another forum many people suggested a product called Gummi Pflege Stick: I bought that product and tried to apply it but have a hard time understanding how it can protect the rubber for another 35 years unless maybe you apply it every month. Gummi Pflege is a very watery fluid, probably water based, it goes on like water, smells like citrus and evaporates after approx 10 seconds. You can barely see it did anything to the rubber.
I also made a test with silicone grease: It goes on very heavy (I really need to rub it in hard) and stays somewhat greasy and shiny - however I have better feelings towards such a product.
I really need the best product since I cannot find a replacement for that windshield rubber once it fails.
Does anyone have personal long term (several years) experience with rubber protection - maybe from storing vintage tires also?
Lucas
My vintage vehicle has sunlight exposed windshield rubber seals. This is the type which has used until the end of the 80s. Even though the vehicle is 35 years old, the seal still look OK without cracks but somewhat faded compared to new rubber. I am NOT looking for a solution for the door seals (like many people due to winter problems), only the windshield rubber seal that is exposed to constant sunlight.
I want to treat this windshield seal with a product so that I can get another 35 years out of it. I am NOT looking for a quick fix where I apply some sort of "rubber conditioner" every 3-6-12 months on and on. I want a more permanent fix, an apply and forget product.
Can anyone recommend a suitable product for long term rubber protection? I read that some people in the US are very fond of a rubber protectant called 303 - but I feel (without knowing) that it needs to be applied quite often. In another forum many people suggested a product called Gummi Pflege Stick: I bought that product and tried to apply it but have a hard time understanding how it can protect the rubber for another 35 years unless maybe you apply it every month. Gummi Pflege is a very watery fluid, probably water based, it goes on like water, smells like citrus and evaporates after approx 10 seconds. You can barely see it did anything to the rubber.
I also made a test with silicone grease: It goes on very heavy (I really need to rub it in hard) and stays somewhat greasy and shiny - however I have better feelings towards such a product.
I really need the best product since I cannot find a replacement for that windshield rubber once it fails.
Does anyone have personal long term (several years) experience with rubber protection - maybe from storing vintage tires also?
Lucas