Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
On my C5 Corvette the weather stripping around the windshield and back glass is a hard rubber, shiny, nonporous material. It has an oxidized look to it now from the Texas sun. Is there a procedure to help restore this at least somewhat until I can get around to replacing them? Since it isn't porous it doesn't seem to take to rubber and vinyl protectant well and if I get compound on them the oxidization seems to just collect it so I haven't tried really polishing it with compound.
Thanks.
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Let me know, I've got the same problem.
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sinking
On my C5 Corvette the weather stripping around the windshield and back glass is a hard rubber, shiny, nonporous material. It has an oxidized look to it now from the Texas sun. Is there a procedure to help restore this at least somewhat until I can get around to replacing them? Since it isn't porous it doesn't seem to take to rubber and vinyl protectant well and if I get compound on them the oxidization seems to just collect it so I haven't tried really polishing it with compound.
Thanks.
That "hard rubber" is probably made of EPDM...a "synthetic rubber". GM recommends using Dielectric Silicone Grease [GM US Part No. 12345579 (from my Corvette owner's manual, pg. 444)]
Dielectric silicone grease ( not really "grease") is a synthetic (man-made) lubricant ideal for synthetic (man-made) EPDM rubber.
I just apply a very light coating...wait a few minutes...gently wipe away excess...repeat as necessary. It also helps reduce some "squeaks", sometimes.
You can buy dielectric silicone grease, tube or spray version at most auto parts supply stores.
:)
Bob
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FUNX725
That "hard rubber" is probably made of EPDM...a "synthetic rubber". GM recommends using Dielectric Silicone Grease [GM US Part No. 12345579 (from my Corvette owner's manual, pg. 444)]
Dielectric silicone grease ( not really "grease") is a synthetic (man-made) lubricant ideal for synthetic (man-made) EPDM rubber.
I just apply a very light coating...wait a few minutes...gently wipe away excess...repeat as necessary.
You can buy dielectric silicone grease, tube or spray version at most auto parts supply stores.
:)
Bob
I have dielectric grease so I will give that a try tonight. Do you think that will help restore the look or just prevent it from getting worse?
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FUNX725
That "hard rubber" is probably made of EPDM...a "synthetic rubber". GM recommends using Dielectric Silicone Grease [GM US Part No. 12345579 (from my Corvette owner's manual, pg. 444)]
Dielectric silicone grease ( not really "grease") is a synthetic (man-made) lubricant ideal for synthetic (man-made) EPDM rubber.
I just apply a very light coating...wait a few minutes...gently wipe away excess...repeat as necessary.
Yeah, but...that may be a good way to protect the trim (and really old school, I remember a Dow Corning rep telling me to use DC 7 on my tires 30 years ago...I still have the tube), but it's a greasy mess and won't do anything about the damaged outer layer that the OP (and me) are complaining about.
PS Corvette owner's manuals have 444+ pages? Well, reason #24 why I don't have a Corvette...my attention span is too short to get through the owner's manual...now what were we talking about again?
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sinking
I have dielectric grease so I will give that a try tonight. Do you think that will help restore the look or just prevent it from getting worse?
The look of EPDM is not as "dark" (for a better lack of terms) as natural rubber. EPDM is very UV resistant and is not supposed to degrade (become totally oxidized/usefulness totally gone) for up to 15-20 years, even without any maintenance. Therefore, IMO... Using the proper lubricant should enhance/lengthen EPDM's expected life-expectancy-cycle. Don't know how "dark" you want to go, though.
Hope this was helpful.
:)
Bob
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Do you have a picture?
If its not porous and is what I think it is polish it with optimum poliseal.
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CEE DOG
Do you have a picture?
If its what I think it is polish it with optimum poliseal.
Of the oxidation or the material?
I was trying to find one online before I posted the thread but came up empty.
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sinking
Of the oxidation or the material?
I was trying to find one online before I posted the thread but came up empty.
The material
Re: Any way to restore oxidized weatherstripping?
Is it the same as the material on these windows?
I used something else on this one but I have used poliseal for this before with similar results.
- Copied from PERL review-
Window Seals:
One of the vehicles I was working on had some seriously nasty window seals. After attempting to clean them with rubber cleaner and a toothbrush I moved on to using water spot remover. This was able to clean them much better but the rot was too deep for me to be satisfied. I used my Flex 3401 armed with Duragloss Nano Polish and a tangerine HT pad to polish these seals before moving forward.
Before
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...;20PERL/60.jpg
Before
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...%20PERL/61.jpg
Uh Oh! It wasn’t a bird that did that! I spilled some of my polish but after cleaning up the mess and under the seal I moved forward.
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...ERL/62UhOh.jpg
After I finished polishing and cleaning the seals I applied Cquartz to them. After buffing them 30 minutes later I moved on to other things and came back later to coat them with PERL (neat)
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...%20PERL/63.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...%20PERL/64.jpg