Keeping Window Rubbers Mould Free?

[u47sb2 27 2 Cars]

Is there a decent product that I can put on the window rubbers to stop them going green with moss/mould? It's the rear windows that are the worst and I don't want to put anything on to perish the rubber. (I started servicing it 3 days ago and have since stripped and cleaned most of the bpdywork!!)

[boombang 2]

regular applications of WD-40 will stop it, but should never come up if the car is regularly cleaned.

Edited March 5, 2011 by boombang

[u47sb2 27 2 Cars]

Ah, never thought of WD40! Thanks! The car does get regularly cleaned but living where I do (at the moment one of the rainiest places in the UK) it sometimes doesn't get a chance to dry for a week or more. I'd taken the windows out and soap/water cleaned them in October but deep in at the rubbers all the green slime is back.

[Batfink 201]

Autoglym and other companies do vinyl and rubber care products. Might help

[MadCommuter 2]

Is there a decent product that I can put on the window rubbers to stop them going green with moss/mould? It's the rear windows that are the worst and I don't want to put anything on to perish the rubber. (I started servicing it 3 days ago and have since stripped and cleaned most of the bpdywork!!)

 

I'm also a bit into the vintage Radio Control car thing and they don't advise the use of WD40 on rubber parts to preserve them (I believe it is due to the presence of volatiles/petroleum in it) - instead they were all into the use of pure silicone spray to preserve the old ruber tyres. May be something to try?

 

I quote from another forum: pls excuse the Tamiya refs - some people are just as obsessive about 1/10 scale cars..

 

 

 

 

Preventing Rubber Decay and General Lubrication:

 

1a. For protection and mild rejuvenation of rubber, I use 100%

silicone spray. It is recommended by manufacturers for safe use

on rubber as a lubricant. My Bruiser's rubber switch cover is the

original. It looks at least 90% new (It came with the truck

before I started giving it treatments). DO NOT use

silicone/petroleum distillate mix sprays. DO NOT use any

petroleum products period. Only full silicone spray. If

uncertain, read the bottle or get a MSDS. To repeat this

important advice, do not use anything with petroleum distillates in it

for or near rubbers (and many plastics). This is

rubber-genocide. Many of us know what WD-40 and gasoline will do

to rubber, not to mention styrene and other plastics. In my

opinion nothing justifies using these solvents anywhere near my Tamiyas.

 

 

 

Silicone spray is the product I use more often than anything else in my

house or garage. It's effect on preserving natural rubber is

absolutely dum-founding. I can't explain it. I've been

using pure 100% silicone spray for 12 years on my 1:1 vehicles.

My 1991 Nissan 240SX's door mouldings, engine hoses and anything else

that remotely looks like rubber was treated. I replaced my

radiator hose at 170K miles only because the radiator gave in.

The hoses looked new, the clamps still held tight. My car

moulding is immaculate. The comment from the buyer (sold it last

year) was "all the rubber still looks new". Your right, how about

that? It's as supple and pliable as when I got it. 12 years

of silicone spray 4-5X/year and 176,000+ miles later it's unexplainably

unchanged. Weird.

 

 

 

In Practice:

 

It's best to wash the rubber gently. Soak if fully in a mild soap

solution warm to touch. Rinse well. Spot dry with towel and

immediately after water film dries soak rubber parts liberally with

silicone spray. If on tires do both inside (unless you wish to

glue tires to wheels) and out, soak liberally until running off.

Let air dry, repeat 2-3 times. You may very feel the difference

immediately, the rubber will be more supple, softer and "bounce back"

into shape. Very deteriorated rubber is too late, this will not

likely help. (Do not use petroleum distillate products)

 

 

 

Pros:

 

--Protects (and lesser degree can rejuvenate mild stiffness) rubbers.

 

--Cleans better than many "adhesive removal" products

 

--In 12 years never a complication spraying on styrene, abs or acrylic plastics

 

--Good general lubricant

 

--Relatively safe. Used in food industries.

 

--Works on electronic drives without worry of melting neighboring plastic

 

 

 

Cons:

 

--Glueing parts will be difficult without wiping off excess

 

--Not the cheapest lubricant

 

--Sticky, as with petroleum oils attracts dirt. Not a substitute for "dry lubricants"

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

I quote from another forum: pls excuse the Tamiya refs - some people are just as obsessive about 1/10 scale cars..

There are a few Tamiya fans on here, like 2-Pugs and Travill amongst others.

[smithy 1]

We use a rocol mould release spray on train door rubbers at work,mainly in winter to prevent water sticking on and freezing.

It also keeps the rubber soft and lubed and helps to prevent mould build up

Using wd40 will cause the rubber to stretch and end up out of shape.