I was wonder what sort of products are out there to keep rubber seals looking new (like around the glass in your car. I know that's one of the surest signs of age on a car when they get faded and cracked. I'm guessing I need something that moisterizes the rubber and protects from UV rays. But I'm also concerned because some chemicals can cause rubber to become hard and brittle.

5/6/2006 3:08:04 PM

If they are still in relatively good shape, just apply armor-all every week or so. As many know, armor-all had some problems with their formula a while back, but re-formulated a few years ago. Their products are fine (ie. safe) now. If they are already beginning to fade, you could try some back to black or something of that nature, or go with an online boutique item such as Poorboy's Trim Restore.

5/6/2006 8:58:22 PM

if they are fading you can get diplicolor black trim paint from any autoparts store. Just use some masking tape and newspaper and apply a few coats. That's what the guy who painted my car does.

5/7/2006 10:40:24 AM

I can vouch for Armor All

5/7/2006 10:48:39 AM

They aren't really fading yet. The car is less than 2 years old. I just want to maintain them to keep them from fading and cracking.

5/7/2006 12:25:47 PM

Mother's Back-to-Black works well on faded rubber for about 1 month and then you need to reapply.

5/8/2006 7:51:38 AM

the bigger question is moisturizing or at least restricting cracking. You might want to be careful what you use; I don't believe back to black actually does any type of conditioning. I'm sure it'll depend on the material your seals are made out of...

Mike

5/8/2006 9:15:54 AM

I use plain squib mineral oil.

5/8/2006 12:16:04 PM

WD-40

5/8/2006 1:48:32 PM

silicone grease

5/8/2006 3:22:06 PM

Quote :

"armor-all had some problems with their formula a while back, but re-formulated a few years ago. Their products are fine (ie. safe) now."

What was wrong with it?

5/8/2006 3:24:40 PM

It dried stuff out and made it crack I believe. I was taught never to use armor all b/c it will crack interior pieces (dashboard etc.)

5/8/2006 7:53:00 PM

^ yeah, and if you put much on interior pannels it woud fuck up the window bad with a film. We restored a vette this dude used the shit like mad on, i had to scrape that shit off with a razor blade... i stay the hell away from it because of that, but id like to get somen....

i put turtle wax somen a nother on my seals...(no help, sorry)

5/8/2006 7:55:48 PM

back to black

5/8/2006 10:22:32 PM

Quote :

"I don't believe back to black actually does any type of conditioning."

true, it just coats the surface.

formula 303 protectant works really well on rubber seals (EPDM and the like). i use it on window trim, window, sunroof, door, trunk seals. the car is almost 6 years old and the seals are in great condition. of course it helps if they are good quality to begin with. in more extreme weather, get weatherstrip grease (which i believe to be silicone grease).

you can get it at any marine supply store. i've found it at some car care establishments.

if you can't find that, try something with a sunscreen in it (i believe that turtle wax sells something called F21™ Super Protectant - but it contains silicone so it's really shiny).

i don't see the point of putting something on that doesn't at the very least protect what it's applied to in some way or another (i.e. armor all).

[Edited on May 8, 2006 at 10:46 PM. Reason : t]

5/8/2006 10:40:53 PM