Fact or Myth - Conflicting Info- Rubber Care and Silicon

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by silk

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!!!

[gofastman]

Originally Posted by auburnryan

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...

[DJBAILEY]

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

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by DJBAILEY

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.

[Anthony A]

Originally Posted by akimel

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...

[bufferbarry]

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

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...