303 question please

R

roadster

New member
Because of this forum I have been using and buying 303 from Autopia for several years however I have a couple of questions that I have never been able to satisfy.



I know that the 303 probibits sun damage or greatly enhances sun protection (for weatherstripping), but is there a product that actually revitalizes and or protects aganist "shelf life" or natural deterioration of the weatherstripping (I understand that the weatherstripping is not rubber at all anymore, but some composite material or a mixture of synthetic materials) :confused: ?



Also, is it appropriate to use 303 on leather seats as a general wipe down treatment/light cleaner instead of water inbetween treatments of leather lotion?



I had a body shop use and highly suggest some Wruth rubber protectorant on my passenger side window channels and weatherstripping today, and it seems to do a good job.... however I did not have a chance to read the can label, and I could not find anything/recomendations on this site about the product. Any help/ideas/suggestions will be appreciated.....



Thanks much ,



:)



Nic
 
I always used silicone spray before I began using 303 years ago. Actually, the silicone is highly recommended for rubber weatherstripping protection by many of the automobile manufacturers. Your owners manual for your Reatta may also recommend silicone.



Personally, I think it is okay to stay with the 303 and apply it often. Like every month or so. That way you will keep the rubber well lubricated and it will certainly last a long, long time.
 
I used 1Z Gummipflege to restore my weatherstripping when I bought the Protege.



Gummipflege2.JPG




It still looks and feels great, but I'll be reapplying it again within the next couple weeks anyway. It lasts a very long time.



Nic Walker said:
Also, is it appropriate to use 303 on leather seats as a general wipe down treatment/light cleaner instead of water inbetween treatments of leather lotion?
Click to expand...





I would use something like Meg's Interior Detailer for quick wipe downs.
 
I've always used a silicone spray for rubber-based weatherstripping.....but I have in mind to buy Gummipfledge next time I pass by a Bimmer dealer (AFAIK, that's where you can get it locally). Not sure if silicone spray is recommended for the new composites (I seem to recall reading it's not the best thing for them, but not sure about that). My truck seems to have a mixture of both types of weathersrtipping...but mostly rubber-based.



I would not use 303 as a "wipe down" for leather seats in between. It's not a cleaner, and I suspect it will trap dust/dirt on the surface of the leather as you wipe. Assuming your leather is clear-coated (otherwise you would not want to use 303), distilled water is fine in-between. I use Pinnacle V+L cleaner, rinse, and apply 303 a few times (2-4) a year as a routine.



ernie
 
I would imagine that Gummipflege will cost a lot more from a BMW dealer than if you bought it online, even after shipping costs.
 
White95Max said:
I would imagine that Gummipflege will cost a lot more from a BMW dealer than if you bought it online, even after shipping costs.
Click to expand...





This is mentioned alot here....what does it cost on line and where can I get it please?



Nic
 
IIRC silicone is a big no-no for weatherstripping. Over time it will deteriorate the material.



I have used 303 with good results but the Gummipflege is great (thanks, Paul)
 
Hello all,



This information is from:303 Tech Tips.



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.
 
Thanks very much folks for the information. I ordered the gummiphledge and some premium interior detail from Open Road (been looking for something to wipe down consoles and the IPC for a long time as well ). :clap:



Really appreciate the replies,



Nic
 
I use a silicone spray for rubber (or whatever it is) on door seals of my 2 door 04 accord, not as a protection but as a way of getting rattling to stop. :). (I've been on the mission of getting rid off my rattling and squeaking for almost 2 years now – since dealers are deaf)
 
I use a small amount of glycerine on weatherstipping and all rubber on my car. I understand that glycerine is a component of the rubber compound and will be absorbed by the stipping. It does leave a little grease but that goes away. Glycerine can be bought at any pharmacy. Its cheap...
 
303 is FINE for leather. It's on the container. Plus, I've been using it on my M Roadster for five years and the leather looks almost new. It would look new if it wasn't for my fat uh, derriere, hammering it all the time :)
 
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