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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1102
 
Location: Hayward, Calif | Hey Guys, I used some Mineral Spirits on my rear window seal today. I tried using a large pan and a non-metalic brush. The brush worked good, but had more of the M/S's on the table than in the pan. It got a bit messy, but it did soften the rubber seal considerably. I wiped everything as dry as I could. The rubber felt a little sticky, so I wiped it down with 'Metal Prep' (that I use on the body before priming). That seemed to help some. The rubber looks nice and black like new. I only did half of the seal, so will see what it looks like tomorrow. If all looks ok, will do the other half. Will let you how it turns out. Has anyone else tried this ?? Jerry |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8947
   
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | mineral spirits is petroleum based , i wouldn't use it on old rubber . the sticky you found was an old layer of rubber ready to come off . -------------------------------------------------later |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7808
Location: Williams California | Jerry, I use Go-Jo hand cleaner [without the pumice] ands it does a really good job if you cover the gasket with it, then wrap in a plastic bag overnight. It seems to remove the oxidized rubber and soften the seal at the same time.
---John |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8947
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | i use go-jo . its really hard to beat when you need something made of rubber brought back to life . -----------------------------------------------later |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13054
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Could you please post a link or photo of the Gojo product? |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8947
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | http://www.gojo.com/united-states/market/manufacturing/products.asp...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gojo-Hand-Cleaner-18-Oz-1109-12-Gojo-Indust...
Edited by 60 dart 2014-09-27 11:37 PM
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13054
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Thanks' Chuck |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1102
Location: Hayward, Calif | I just checked that seal again this AM and it still looks good. NO sticky or flaking !! It looks like new and feels flexable. This seal was just a bit stiff. It was NOT extremely hard and brittle or cracking. I think if these seals are at the point where they have a multitude of cracks, replacement it about the only option. Thanks for the GO-JO info. Jerry |
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Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Good job, Jerry. I been doing something similar for more than 35 years! I used lacquer thinner not to just soften/remove the outer crap layer of rubber but also to remove countless applications of caulking/sealants and overspray of top coat paint on w/s and back window gaskets. Works just great!! Withstands the test of time as well!!!
Greg |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1102
Location: Hayward, Calif | Greg, I opted for the mineral spirits as thought the lacquer thinner might dry it out more. But sounds like you have had good success with it. Thanks, Jerry |
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Expert
Posts: 1737
Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada | Has anyone used Acetone? A friend recommended it; he used it on his truck window gaskets. I haven't tried it yet... |
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Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | Brad, it depends, I think, on what contaminates you want to remove. In most of my cases it was paint and layers of caulking/sealants applied over the years. Acetone evaporates like crazy. The only times I ever used it was in" hit and run " situations were extreme solvents might harm neighbouring surfaces. Even then the results were poor.
I hated to state it at first for fear of backlash! But, I used copious quantities of lacquer thinner and scotchbrite pads. Of course it dissolves the rubber surface but that is what you want to get rid of the light crazes and sun whitening of the rubber. We are not dealing with a thin rubber item here! At the same time this operation certainly softened the entire gasket and the sticky went away in a day or two. With gaskets treated this way, I have reinstalled windshield and back glasses in more than a dozen cars, and, in a lot of cases I did it by myself with no help!
To me, what I would think would be the MOST important part of this on-going topic is what sealant is currently available to first; seal the now restored gasket to the body pinch weld "fence" so that it can no longer leak to rust the fence: and, secondly, to seal the gasket to the glass to prevent water entry into the car.
By good fortune a bought several cases of the old asphalt caulking tubes to complete my cars.
Greg |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8947
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | i use acetone/lacquer thinner to clean to but since thinner also leaches natural oils . i also use original go-jo to soften/replace oils and clean more , then rinse with hot water . it comes out nice and soft . it will
also take a sealer with no problems and looks brand new -----------------------------------------------------later |
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Soften rear window seal
