Restoring trim around windows

skylinekin · 10-31-09, 07:21

Hi everyone,

Ive been lurking on this site for a while now and finally am going to ask my first question. I just got done doing my winter prep (klasse) and was wondering what you guys would recommend for restoring the trim around my quarter windows. Here are some pictures of the problem, i can scratch the surface with my finger nail. The car is a 1994 Honda Prelude Si 4WS, any input would be appreciated, thanks!

mrmatt · 11-01-09, 06:43

After cleaning the trim I wonder if Meguiars Mirror Glaze #40 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner / Conditioner or the 1Z Einszett Rubber Care Stick Gummi Pflege would help to bring back some life to those window seals?

Maybe someone else can suggest a 303 product to apply to those seals.

Accumulator · 11-01-09, 08:20

skylinekin- Since my beloved Griot's Rubber Prep is *NOT* glass-friendly, I'd just use multiple goes with KAIO, finishing up with maybe Collinite 845.

Dressing-based approaches never last long for me, and I don't like the way they can run/streak in wet weather. The LSP-based approach works for months IME, and oughta be good for winter (works fine for me).

Since you already have the Klasse, there you go.

If you decide to finish with KSG, use a W-O-W-O approach on the rubber, and dont' switch to it (from the KAIO) until the nasty-black-stuff-transfer to your application media has dropped off significantly (it'll probably *never* stop 100%).

Oh, regarding the 1Z/Wurth/etc. Gummi Pflege stuff, while I *REALLY* do like those products, esp. the Wurth, they don't last nearly long enough for an exposed, exterior application like that. Save 'em for the less-exposed stuff like rubber door/trunk/etc. seals.

skylinekin · 11-01-09, 10:25

I didnt even think of using the KAIO, I will give that a try first since I have it, thanks guys!

andrewd523 · 11-03-09, 08:18

You can try Black Wow. It isn't that expensive and it is worth a shot.

Passrat · 11-04-09, 02:02

I use 303 Protectant on mine and it works great, but they weren't quite that bad. It's supposedly actually a component of the rubber that gets lost over time and exposure to the elements. I think the 303 becomes sort of a oxidation donor giving itself to the elements in place of the rubber getting eaten up.

I use it all over the place, like the door seals, dressing for the hoses and plastics under the hood, window and sunroof trim, etc.

Accumulator · 11-04-09, 07:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passrat

I use 303 Protectant on mine and it works great..I use it all over the place, like the door seals, dressing for the hoses and plastics under the hood, window and sunroof trim, etc.

Yeah, while I'm generally not a fan of dressings, the 303 *is* very good stuff.

skylinekin · 11-06-09, 08:49

Thanks for the input guys, I haven't had much time to experiment, tried the KAIO briefly and didn't see any difference, I will let you know when I find a solution!

Jakerooni · 11-06-09, 09:01

The first thing you have to do is clean that baby up. You can't shine dirt and that seal has a ton of dirt on it. (even if it dosen't just wash off it's still there) take a MF towel and wet it down with some rubbing alcohol. This will clean it off nicely. (will probably take a few trips to get it clean) It will also dry it out a bit. So now you need a UV protectant conditioner. the linseed oil (another thread look it up) seems to be right in the ballpark. 303 straight up on a applicator would be ok. Anything that is a rubber conditioner with some UV protection would work. Once you have it reconditioned then hit it with the AIO and seal it up a bit. (let the conditoner soak into the seal and dry first). You can't just condition it and you can't just seal it up with an AIO or sealant. you have to take all the steps and you should have some knock out results.

ALAN81 · 11-07-09, 06:48

I use 1Z and very happy with it.

VALE TUDO · 11-07-09, 09:02

swissvax seal

skylinekin · 11-07-09, 06:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakerooni

The first thing you have to do is clean that baby up. You can't shine dirt and that seal has a ton of dirt on it. (even if it dosen't just wash off it's still there) take a MF towel and wet it down with some rubbing alcohol. This will clean it off nicely. (will probably take a few trips to get it clean) It will also dry it out a bit. So now you need a UV protectant conditioner. the linseed oil (another thread look it up) seems to be right in the ballpark. 303 straight up on a applicator would be ok. Anything that is a rubber conditioner with some UV protection would work. Once you have it reconditioned then hit it with the AIO and seal it up a bit. (let the conditoner soak into the seal and dry first). You can't just condition it and you can't just seal it up with an AIO or sealant. you have to take all the steps and you should have some knock out results.

Thanks alot! I will give it a try.