M/R Door and Roof Gaskets and Seals

[drjdlundy]

Just purchased a 06 and it is evident that the roof and door seals need some wiping, cleaning and lubrication. Usually I used ArmorAll protectant on other vehicles. Are there better products?

[TrikeRider]

Look here. Where to Buy 303 Products. Complete On-line searchable database to find a 303 Retailer near you.

[TommyB]

Nooooo dont use ArmorAll. My father distroyed the weatherstripping on his 911,my brother messed up his Mustang GT with that stuff. Over time that stuff rotts w/s away.

SSR owners manual says to use Dielectric Silicone Grease GM part number 12345579. Thats stuff works great. Apply it sparingly with a clean cloth. Go back later with a clean dry cloth and remove the excess. Your weatherstripping will look and feel like new.

[Donaldo7]

TommyB, what is your thoughts on 303? Have you ever used it? Does anybody else know more about 303?

[New Mexico Rambler]

Originally Posted by Donaldo7

TommyB, what is your thoughts on 303? Have you ever used it? Does anybody else know more about 303?

Several of the Fanatics recommended the 303 products to restore and maintain the weatherstripping on the R - and I also bought some 303 products for my outdoor furniture. Seems to work great on both. Of course, you'll need to reapply at least once a year.

[poppa]

Originally Posted by Donaldo7

TommyB, what is your thoughts on 303? Have you ever used it? Does anybody else know more about 303?

I have used both products and I prefer 303 the GM silicone is sticky and catches a lot of dust and grit over time I am sure it is good but the 303 is absorbed or dries and is less likly to catch dirt in my opinion also it works well on the seats and dash and door panels I have been using it for almost 5 years and my W/S is soft and supple.

[cajunssr]

Sounds kind of simple But, I have always used Turtle Wax...(Wax as you Dry) every time I wash my "R" and at the end of drying I use the soaked towel to go around all the weather strippings, even as far as to half cycle down the roof to do the seals there too. I don't have a single leak at all. It also keeps the running board pads looking like new with out attracting dirt like a magnet! Sometimes simple is best!

[TommyB]

Originally Posted by Donaldo7

TommyB, what is your thoughts on 303? Have you ever used it? Does anybody else know more about 303?

Well, 303 is a water based “protectant”. I question how durable it is. Will one washing of the truck remove most of it? I personally don’t like the smell of it. 303 products company is aware it smells too. They mention it on their Material Safety Data Sheet.

Dielectric silicone grease is a preservative. Has no smell. But requires more time and effort during application. When I treat my weather stripping it usually takes at least 1 hour. I use painters tape to mask off so not to get silicone on the paint. It does take many rags to get rid of the extra grease and make everything clean. But I get excellent results every time.

But to each his/her own. It comes down to if you like Coke or Pepsi.

[yellow bear]

After some lengthy phone conversations with the Customer Service guys at 303 about the product, they recommend a very wet applicator, wipe it on (like liquid shoe polish), buff with a dry cloth. Repeat as necessary. It seems to work just fine, nice shiny finish, dry to the touch, good color, & dust doesn't stick to it.
My concern was that once applied, adhesives would not stick to it and how to remove it. It seems impervious to solvents. (I tried just about Everything liquid with a ScotchBrite pad to remove the excess 303, to no avail). I phoned them, seems The Only Way to Remove it is Abrasives (sandpaper or steel wool). Not too kind to interior plastics. The last resort is to apply a 3M adhesive accelerator over the 303 to promote adhesive contact.

[RUN ROD RUN]

Which of the 303 are you using?

[Cape Cod Blur]

Regarding the wetherstriping; A fanatic here a couple of years ago told me to go to NAPA and ask for Sil-Glyde, part # 765-1351. It is a goldish clear lubricating compound for treating the rubber parts. It was much less expensive than the GM product. I apply it with a rag maybe every third washing. So far so good.

Jeff Cape Cod Blur

[Scott 0168]

Originally Posted by TommyB

Nooooo dont use ArmorAll. My father distroyed the weatherstripping on his 911,my brother messed up his Mustang GT with that stuff. Over time that stuff rotts w/s away.

SSR owners manual says to use Dielectric Silicone Grease GM part number 12345579. Thats stuff works great. Apply it sparingly with a clean cloth. Go back later with a clean dry cloth and remove the excess. Your weatherstripping will look and feel like new.

Thank's for some good information.

[river_rat]

I use Dupont Krytox on my weatherstrip/seals. GM part number 3634770 which I purchased from Mark (rssrtoy). Don't remember the price but not cheap, about $40 for a 1 oz bottle if I recall. Below is a link I found a while back discussing this issue with respect to Armor-All, 303 protectant, Silicone and Krytox. It is a good read. The cost for a set of seals for our SSR's is outrageous and some items NLA. Read and form your own opinion.

Weatherstrip Maintenance

I believe the direct Dupont number for this to be GPL-105 or there is a thicker version sold in a syringe-type applicator called GPL-205. There are two newer variants out called GPL-103 & GPL-104 that I believe Ford is now using. Volkswagen also sells under their p/n as well.

I'm too much of a chicken to try anything else due to parts costs and scarcity, so I just stuck with the GM product. Wish I knew about this with my old '81 Cutlass 2 door. Front window squeaks use to drive me batty. Used vaseline on those seals and guides to quieten them - worked fairly well at the time.

[drjdlundy]

Thanks for the link and a good article.
Jim
Dr.L