treatment for weather stripping

[Vetman]

What do you recommend for treatment on the rubber weather stripping on the top and around the windows. Mine is near perfect and I want to keep it thaT way.

[USAFPILOT]

Dielectric silicon grease

[We Gone]

Originally Posted by USAFPILOT

Dielectric silicon grease

Yes, twice a year will last forever

[weldbead]

id of thought armorall..would that be preferred to armorall in general?

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by USAFPILOT

Dielectric silicon grease

Awesome. Learn something all the time.

[Racinfan83]

Yeah never heard of the dielectric grease for that. I use Aerospace 303..

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by USAFPILOT

Dielectric silicon grease

Interesting. But, does dust stick to it? I've always used those silicon based goops like "Black Magic" or the like.

The 3M 303 Protectant has long had rave reviews and contains SPF 40 ultraviolet protection especially for vinyl (rubber is mentioned as well) to avoid cracking, etc. I wonder how it compares to dielectric grease (which I've also heard works on rubber as well)?

I judge how well it protects if after it dries and I rub it with a white cloth: is there black residue on the cloth that would indicate the rubber is oxidizing?

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Interesting. But, does dust stick to it? I've always used those silicon based goops like "Black Magic" or the like.

The 3M 303 Protectant has long had rave reviews and contains SPF 40 ultraviolet protection especially for vinyl (rubber is mentioned as well) to avoid cracking, etc. I wonder how it compares to dielectric grease (which I've also heard works on rubber as well)?

I judge how well it protects if after it dries and I rub it with a white cloth: is there black residue on the cloth that would indicate the rubber is oxidizing?

303 Protectant is NOT a 3M product. 303 is certainly the "go to product". No silicones! It's mentioned that it's anti-static and since I first used it in the mid 80's I've seen no issues. Dust certainly shouldn't be an issue. Not inexpensive and maybe difficult to find in some areas. Price certainly forces many to likely "put it back on the shelf". Large RV or marine outlets will certainly have it. It used to be (mid/late 80's) very difficult to find, there are some things the Internet has really enhanced and that's availability of some products.

I don't know that your test is very valid but I'll assume you're talking about weeks/months from it's use. Yes/no?

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

303 Protectant is NOT a 3M product. 303 is certainly the "go to product". No silicones! It's mentioned that it's anti-static and since I first used it in the mid 80's I've seen no issues. Dust certainly shouldn't be an issue. Not inexpensive and maybe difficult to find in some areas. Price certainly forces many to likely "put it back on the shelf". Large RV or marine outlets will certainly have it. It used to be (mid/late 80's) very difficult to find, there are some things the Internet has really enhanced and that's availability of some products.

I don't know that your test is very valid but I'll assume you're talking about weeks/months from it's use. Yes/no?

Seems I read that 3M did develop the 303 stuff, but I'll leave it at that, except to say "Googling" 3M 303 Protectant comes up as a 3M product, but who knows?

That said, the reviews for the 303 stuff is very good. I believe Adam's has it available (or did at one time), and like you said, the internet has solved a lot of product availability issues!

Can't say the rubbing "test" is necessarily comprehensive or conclusive. However, it is obvious that rubber that IS deteriorating in the sun becomes dull and will leave a black smudge on a finger or cloth when rubbed. It has been my experience with the silicone based stuff that the deterioration (oxidation?) I spoke of seems to stop after its use. But, is that a true evaluation of protection? I dunno. (Could be some MIL spec test(s) is/are available, if one were to dig into it a bit more. Course it would end the anecdotal speculation, but what fun would that be?? )

[FU]

Dielectric grease can be found on Amazon for a reasonable price. A little go's a long way.
It should be rubbed into the weatherstrip slowly and evenly. All side's of the weatherstrip that you can get to should be done. This takes time , but is well worth it.
After a couple of weeks go back and do the weatherstrip that has been exposed to the sun and do it over again. Don't leave excess dielectric grease on the weatherstrip. Doing so will just be a waste.