What to use on squeaky door/weatherstrip gaskets?

[mrsilv04]

I've noticed that the weatherstripping on my truck seems to be getting squeakier with time. Plus, we're headed into winter, and weatherstripping tends to want to freeze to door frames here, under certain conditions. So, I'm looking for something to coat the weatherstripping with for squeaks, and to fight ice from bonding to it.

I noticed in my owner's manual, it specifies a GM synthetic grease with teflon for weatherstrip squeaks. If this is like anything else, my dealer will charge about 5 times what it is really worth.

Are there alternatives? I found a product by SuperLube, called SuperLube Synthetic Grease with Teflon.

Is there something that I could use, that I may already have on hand, that will work, and not damage the weatherstripping, and not cause a stinky mess?

 

[mechanicx]

I think you can use lithium grease on rubber weatherstripping and door hinges.

 

[94MaxGXE]

Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease

or


Silicone Aerosol

 

[T-Bone]

There are actually weatherstrip lubricants you can use.

Like 94MaxGXE said, silicone works okay. But some fairly expensive Teflon greases are actually specified by most of the carmakers.

The greases are similar to Krytox type fluorinated greases.

Check out GM part number 3634770. Expensive but some folks say it works well.

 

[chrome]

Honda recommends Shin-Etsu silicon grease, available from the parts departments. I am guessing regular silicon grease will work too...

 

[GMBoy]

I would not use lithium or chassis grease unless you like that stuff on your pants. You can use die-electric grease and that is not too expensive and it's clear. Keeping them lubed with a rubber protectant like 303 will work as well but you may have to do that monthly. Krytox really is best, but really expensive and you said you don't want to spend alot.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: T-Bone

Check out GM part number 3634770. Expensive but some folks say it works well.


$53 for a one ounce bottle?


http://paceperformance.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=229021

 

[doitmyself]

Google MSDS for the GM product and it appears that it is Krytox.

Most of the Krytox discussions say that silicone will cause many rubbers to degrade. Is this true...something about it removes the protective "waxes" built in to rubber.

Other boards have worked out group purchases of Krytox for their members. An idea for us, maybe???

 

[Drew2000]

You need water-based silicones. They do not degrade rubber and tend to have more silicone than the petroleum-cut brands.

Most "food grade" spray silicones are water-based.

Here's the one that I use and it works very well.

http://www.lpslabs.com/product_pg/lubricants_pg/HDSilicone.html

 

[mrsilv04]

Short term, I have some Silicone spray on hand that states that it is safe for all types of rubber. I'm going to spray some on a corner of a rag, and wipe down all of the weatherstrip seals.

Long term, I think I'll try to find some of that SuperLube Silicone grease with teflon product. There's a local home improvement store that stocks the SuperLube products, so it may be as simple as that.

Another option that I've learned of is NAPA Sil-Glyde. It comes in a 4 ounce tube, and squeaky weatherstripping is listed as one of its uses.

 

[mechtech2]

If you have real silicone spray, it should work great.
But most silicone sprays that I have found are mostly something else, with vestigal amounts of silicone in them.

 

[nthach]

Honda stocks a silicone grease made by Shin-etsu which works well for squeaky weatherstripping, it looks almost like heatsink compound. Sil-Glyde or a good silicone spray could also work.

http://www.bernardiparts.com/Shin-Etsu-Grease__08798-9013.aspx

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself

Most of the Krytox discussions say that silicone will cause many rubbers to degrade. Is this true...something about it removes the protective "waxes" built in to rubber.

Krytox is specified by almost all the scuba reg makers and in the service of LPG/LNG/CNG fuel systems for o-ring and sliding surface lubrication.

Krytox is in the same chemical group as PTFE but nowhere close to it.

 

[jtfmdyk]

Originally Posted By: nthach
Honda stocks a silicone grease made by Shin-etsu which works well for squeaky weatherstripping, it looks almost like heatsink compound.


I like the Honda treatment and use it on the top seals for the S2000 to keep it quiet. 6 years in and the seals look good. Only downside is that it is a bit greasy.

 

[benjamming]

You can get Krytox on McMaster.

Also, what about glycerin? I believe this can be found at a pharmacy & some detailing mfg.

 

[yeti]

303 is excellent, every 2 or 3 months, for the weatherstrip.

 

[Lakersguy]

I like a dry silicon spray. 3M make the one I use.

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

How about talcum powder?