"Andrew C. Green" scribed:
> Given the large quantity of vinyl and rubber bits in cars these days,
> I was wondering what the net.wisdom is for preserving them, particularly
> things like the windows seals, and especially on older fittings where
> the P.O. didn't give them loving care since Day One, and the material
> has become stiff
Not a lot you can do- real rubber deterioates, and once it's gone, it's
gone. Some of the first natural compounds were truely terrible- given
the right temperatures or chemicals, etc, your rubber boots or tyres
would melt and goo! Rubber is the one thing that probably goes away the
most on even a "properly" stored car. I think if you own a car for, say
50 or 60 years, and baby everything, while even the paint may last, the
seals will need replacing. A lot of modern seals are made with silicone
or other hi-tech compounds, rather than real rubber, and will last *much*
longer. It would therefore be desireable to replace seals with new ones
made from modern materials, rather than original stuff, when possible.
I wonder what Steele and Metro Moulded parts are using these days, anyhow?
While there are a lot of products on the market to make your rubber
look good, I haven't heard proof that they will actually preserve
anything. Things I know will help make rubber last longer:
-keep it clean
-avoid contact with petroleum products
-keep it out of direct sunlight
Things that might:
-silicone coatings
-other rubber treatments
________
/___ _ \ Roger Garnett (Roger_Garnett@cornell.edu)
/| || \ \ Agricultural Economics | "The South Lansing Centre
| |___|| _ | 3 Warren Hall | For Wayward Sports Cars"
| | \ | | | Cornell University | (Lansing, NY)
\| \ |__/ / Ithaca, N.Y. 14853-7801 | (607) 533-7735
\________/ (607) 255-2522 | Safety Fast!
|