Fact or Myth - Conflicting Info- Rubber Care and Silicon

[akimel]

With regard to "rubber" seals, which apparently are made out of a synethetic rubbered called EPDM, the 303 Protectant website asserts the following:

Maybe not a surprise, but no longer are a car's rubber seals made from `rubber'. To keep the inside of your car quiet and dry, car makers use a specialized synthetic material called EPDM, (ethylene propylene diene monomer). Real rubber, or blends containing real rubber, just cannot endure the direct exposure to sunlight(ultraviolet light) and the harmful-to-rubber oxidizing gases in our atmosphere. To quote from the engineering specs, EPDM is "Ideal for outdoor applications because of its excellent resistance to ultraviolet light, ozone, oxidants, and severe weather conditions". EPDM is great stuff, but it has some downsides. It's tear resistance is only fair, so sticking & tearing is not uncommon. And just like real rubber, it has extremely poor resistance to solvents(petroleum distillates) and oils. "You mean I don't have to `protect' my car's door & trunk seals?" That's right, and treating your seals with a leading-brand "protectant" is almost always exactly the WRONG thing to do to your seals. Any chemical product that contains oils or petroleum distillates is incompatible with EPDM. TIP: NEVER apply any rubber or vinyl treatment that has an oily or greasy nature or contains petroleum distillates. READ THE LABEL! If a product contains petroleum distillates, do not apply it to your rubber seals. Though its powerful UV screening benefit is not needed in this application, 303 Protectant is great for cleaning EPDM seals and to keep them clean. 303 Protectant makes EPDM seals look like new and PREVENTS sticking and tearing. Because it is safe for EPDM and prevents sticking & tearing, manufacturers exclusively recommend 303 Protectant for this application.

I note that Honda prescribes the use of Shin Etsu Silicone Grease for the maintenance of rubber weather stripping. This siicone grease does not contain petroleum distillates. I understand that Shin Etsu works great on all cars, not just Honda.

 

[Accumulator]

If a product contains petroleum distillates, do not apply it to your rubber seals...

But I've been putting Souveran on the Jag's exterior rubber for maybe 20 years and it's still just like new :nixweiss

 

[silkstone]

Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-up Grease, 3 oz Tube



bought it for $5.99 today at AZ.. works/looks great on rubber trim on the outside of car. Supposed to rain here tomorrow, will see how it holds up, since it is waterproof.

the small tube is .33 oz for $3.29, you get the 3 oz for 2 more dollars....

 

[silkstone]

has held up great since applying, 1 rain, 1 wash in. When applying there was no black on the applicator, (used fingers at first, foam pad applicator is much better.)

No discoloration, or water spots on the trim after the rain. Probably will use this process several times a year, then maintain with a water-based dressing.



I Over-applied the product. Best to just work a thin coat in with the foam pad.

 

[Vintage]

Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-up Grease, 3 oz Tube



bought it for $5.99 today at AZ.. works/looks great on rubber trim on the outside of car. Supposed to rain here tomorrow, will see how it holds up, since it is waterproof.

the small tube is .33 oz for $3.29, you get the 3 oz for 2 more dollars....

I just came across this thread and have learned something new. I have several unopened tubes of this stuff (can't seem to find the opened one when I need it) for doing my spark plug boots and other stuff under the hood. I've been spending $$$ on 1Z Gummi Pfledge and Zymol Seal when apparently cheapo Permatex dielectric grease will work. Thanks for the suggestion, that's what I love about Autopia!

Cheers!!! :hifive:

 

[gofastman]

So I bought into the school of thought on NOT using Silicon product on tires etc. a few years back.



I still see some info (very littel factual info) on detrimental effects of silicon based products on rubber online...



I also see conflicting info that silicon based products (like di-electric silicone grease) are the best way to stop wear from ozone wearing on your weather stripping and rubber seals. On such contributor says he lead a GM rubber division for ~10 years.



Now I'm concerned with trim and weatherstripping specifically. Trying to relieve some cracking on some exterior rubber which is cracking. Wurth is now selling some marketed silicone-free stuff. 1z has Gummi Pfledge that is no longer really a grease, but more liquid.



So - is Silcone good or bad for protecting rubber?

sorry to nit-pick but...

siliCON is a metaloid chemical element

siliCONE is a ruber like polymer that contains siliCON atoms

detailing products sometimes contain siliCONE.

 

[Accumulator]

Whatever makes somebody happy is cool with me, but I sure don't want any *grease* of any kind on the exterior of my vehicle. One of the nice things about certain rubber treatments is that they're nice and *clean* especially once they've dried. I use the dielectric grease (have a few different kinds) on various things, but not for this. Just not tidy enough for my taste...

 

[imported_DJBAILEY]

1Z Gummi Pfledge always seems to make the seals 'plump up' if that makes sense.

 

[Accumulator]

1Z Gummi Pfledge always seems to make the seals 'plump up' if that makes sense.

Yeah, the rehydrating can do that. This thread reminds me that I might oughta order some more of the Wurth brand Gummi Pfledge. Seldom matters which I use (1Z or Wurth) but I like to have my fave on hand and I'm getting a little low on the Wurth stuff.

 

[Tony1]

With regard to "rubber" seals, which apparently are made out of a synethetic rubbered called EPDM, the 303 Protectant website asserts the following:







I note that Honda prescribes the use of Shin Etsu Silicone Grease for the maintenance of rubber weather stripping. This siicone grease does not contain petroleum distillates. I understand that Shin Etsu works great on all cars, not just Honda.

I have the Honda grease you refer to and use it in the winter on my seals. In the summer I use 303.

 

[dynamic73]

What about sil-glyde from NAPA? I've used this on door seals and other rubber stuff. Seams to work really good. Anyone else tried and used this stuff?

 

[demd]

Hello guys, Beside being a car enthusiast, im also a Gas Mask Collector, and the question is a follow up for this thread... will the silicone grease stain the rubber on my gasmasks?



Some are made of gray latex, but most of them are made of rubber, some natural and some synthetic the ones made of rubber are basically tires as far as I know... I have Avon, Michelline and Pirelli Masks... these ones are black.

 

[asharma]

Ok, I need some help...I bought a couple bottles of Black Diamond Tire Wet Jel on sale and t looks GREAT...Then I read this thread...and YES I read the ingriedients on the the Tire Gel and it is petroleum based...SO why would autostores sell this stuff (especially the Tire speciality shop I bought this at) if it is a PROVEN FACT that petroleum based products damage sidewalls??? Chemical Guys also make an oil based product and they are reputable, right?? So should I return this stuff or have any of you ever seen as true sidewall damage as a result of petroleum based tire dressing products? Thanks for your help...

 

[Barry Theal]

If your looking for something to protect your weather seals and gives them a nice clean natural look. May I suggest trying Babyoil. cleans conditions and protects. hmmmmm just a thought. its also safe for a baby! good luck. Just another old timer trick.

 

[Accumulator]

Hello guys, Beside being a car enthusiast, im also a Gas Mask Collector, and the question is a follow up for this thread... will the silicone grease stain the rubber on my gasmasks?



Some are made of gray latex, but most of them are made of rubber, some natural and some synthetic the ones made of rubber are basically tires as far as I know... I have Avon, Michelline and Pirelli Masks... these ones are black.

The rubber on my masks tends to oxidize white. I've never tried silicone grease on them (for the same mess-related reasons I don't use it on auto rubber), but regular rubber dressings/etc. have always worked fine for me.

 

[demd]

The rubber on my masks tends to oxidize white. I've never tried silicone grease on them (for the same mess-related reasons I don't use it on auto rubber), but regular rubber dressings/etc. have always worked fine for me.

Ill take a trip to Autozone then, im thinking Armor all, but I need to do my homework first... don't want to look back at this moment 5 years from now and say if only... Im not completely sold about petroleum distillates destroying rubber... destroying latex YES, bur rubber??? is not asphalt a petroleum by-product, and I don't see tires dissolving on the street...

 

[Accumulator]

Ill take a trip to Autozone then, im thinking Armor all, but I need to do my homework first... don't want to look back at this moment 5 years from now and say if only...

While I sincerely doubt it'll do any damage, I do think that Armor All would leave a higher gloss than I'd want for that particular application. IIRC you can cut it with water to dimish the gloss, but I'm not 100% certain about that.

 

[Alfisti]

But I've been putting Souveran on the Jag's exterior rubber for maybe 20 years and it's still just like new :nixweiss

Maybe the carnauba wax and other natural waxes/oils it contains repair/re-install what the PDs take out of it. On the other hand, rubber dressings just contain silicone/siloxane and not much else. :think:

 

[Accumulator]

Alfisti- Heh heh, I'll readily admit I don't know what's going on with my wax-on-rubber :nixweiss It's not just on the Jag either, when I had the 240 Volvo I did the same thing on its rubber, even using 476S (!) and it worked OK on that car too.



More recently, I've been using the Klasse twins on exterior rubber with great results.



I kinda suspect that the PDs aren't all that strong, and the rubber isn't all that sensitive, and that the whole issue is kinda overblown. You know how people can be...displaying "expertise" (scare-quotes intentional ) with oh-so-dire caveats of impending doom makes some folks feel imporant.

 

[asharma]

FWIW, i called the Megs hotline yesterday and they told me all their tire shine products contain silicones and petroleum stuff...If it's good by Megs, it's good by me as I'm sure they would have changed their products if they were found to be harmful to sidewalls...