Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

[cryogenic419]

I am not even sure if gaskets/seals are the proper names for them but hopefully you guys know what I mean.

What can I use to clean and for lack of a better word moisturize the rubber?

Car is about 4 years old and while nothing seems to be wrong with them, I want to keep them all as healthy and as supple as possible.

[yalerd]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

I use Meguiar's Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner Conditioner M40.

[retrofinisher]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

There is no real "moisturizer" for automotive rubber trim. It is true that flexible vinyl has rubberizing plasticizers that can leach out and get stiff but most seals and car foam is a true elastomer chemistry.

The best you can do is add a suitable rubber cleaner with UV resistance additives.

Minimizing over exposure to hot hot weather, avoiding harmful cleaners like 409/Fantastic, WD40 and over use of solvents is the best probably you can do.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

I also use #40. Knock on wood no problems to date.

[TimG]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

+1 on the #40. Good stuff.




Tim

[Mr Mustang]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

#40 is good, I used to clean them with some armor all, and protect them with tire protectant

[Murr1525]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

#40 is good, but any of the trim/rubber dressings would be fine, including the Trim Detailer in the Consumer Line of products.

[Nappers]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

I use M40 AND once a year treat them with Silicone Grease (as per my GM manual) and they are holding up good, 2000 GMC Yukon, 130,000 miles on the clock.

M40 just looks nice too

[Sandstone]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

Shin-Etsu Silicone Grease is what Honda uses for door seal conditioning, lubrication and to prevent sticking. It's great and has many uses such as assembling hoses and lubricating faucet washers. It's $16 for a 3.5 oz tube at your local Honda dealer and very little goes a long long way. You only need to use it maybe once a year but. YMMV

[cryogenic419]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

Cool I will have to make the rounds at the local stores and see if I can't find some of the #40 and some silicone grease.

[davisinla]

Re: Sunroof and door gaskets/seals

I used something called "Black Magic". IIRC someone turned me on to it in my motorcycle days years ago, for all the exposed hoses etc.

To me, it's a little too greasy for most applications, but I use is exclusively for rubber weather stripping. I've had several vehicles over 15 years old and the weather stripping still looked like new...seems to be working.