Reco for preservative for rubber door seals for 92 Q45?

[kdkrone]

The door seals and other rubber parts on my 1992 Q45 seem to be holding up quite well but I thought that perhaps some product may be available to keep the rubber happy and healthy.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,Ken K

[911/Q45]

I like Griot's Garage vinyl and rubber treatment, as I can get it on pullout wipes for easy application. Plain glycerin works too for cheap, but most of the benefit of any of these "magic juices" is cosmetic. Nothing really makes rubber last much longer except reducing it's exposure to heat and sunlight.

[qship96]

I have had good results with Vinylex,or 303 Aerospace protectant-both block uv rays from destroying the seals and keep them from tearing due to sticking in the upcoming winter season.

[maxnix]

There is some 3M stuff I used thirty years ago on our BMW 2800CS, and the rubber survived as new until we sold it this year. It was kind of greasy for a while and had to clean the glass where it came into contact with the seals, but they never detiorated in 3 decades. It was clear and in a tube, and probably had a lot of silicon.

[AZhitman]

Silicon is DEATH for rubber. Brian, you got lucky (good quality rubber seals).

I like a product called Wurth. Order online, it's what the Rolls/Jag/Bentley guys use.

Vinylex is actually rated very high.

Do a Google search for vinyl restorer and read some of the expert opinions...

[maxnix]

Silicon is DEATH for rubber. Brian, you got lucky (good quality rubber seals).

Really? Works great in tires for wet adhesion, and static charge build-up in the dry like the first generation Michelin Energy (I think they were called).

Don't know what the primary constituent was, but I assure you the seal's long life was not due to the quality of early '70s German rubber.

[AZhitman]

Works great when part of the molecular structure.

Vinyl and rubber are impregnated with flexibility-enhancing chemicals that are leached out over time by heat and ozone... Silicone-based dressings simply serve to magnify the UV (unless they also contain a UV-blocker).

I'd disagree about the initial quality. Old roommate's 1976(?) Beemer I drove on occasion in college had FAR superior seals than that of a domestic of like vintage...

Good reads on rubber protection: http://www.powerchemical.net/antioxidan ... 1217585796

My FAVORITE automotive rubber care product: http://store.superior-carcare.net/w890110.html