Weather stripping maintenance

[Mark Carlisle]

I have heard of using silicone to prolong the life of weather stripping. Can someone give me a name brand to buy? I looked at NAPA but their product didn't say it was 100% silicone. Also, how is the best way to apply the silicone? Last but not least, can silicone damage the paint?
Thanks,

Mark Carlisle

[Joe L.]

Re: Weather stripping maintenance

Mark-----

Silicone works well for weatherstrip maintenence. Use di-electric silicone grease. You can find it in tubes in the auto parts store or you can purchase it from GM dealers under GM #12345579. To use this on weatherstrip you apply a SMALL amount with your fingers and thoroughly rub it into the weatherstrip. The silicone will not damage paint, at all. However, if you ever paint a surface which has contacted any silicone product, then the surface has to be thoroughly cleaned with a special solvent to remove all traces of the silicone or the freshly painted surface will "fish-eye".

[Mark Carlisle]

Re: Weather stripping maintenance

Thanks Joe.

Mark Carlisle

[Wayne K.]

Re: Weather stripping maintenance

Mark,

I personally stay away from silicone based products for various reasons. Joe has already brought up one good one and another is that there are different kinds of silicone and some can actually do long term harm to seals. Also realize that most modern day seals actually don't have any rubber in their composition so silicones may not harm them. My personal favorite for seals is Wurth Rubber Care Spray. I spray it on a cotton make-up patch and wipe it on the seals but you can spray it on and wipe away the excess. This is a non-silicone product that will not harm paint and it lasts.

Wayne

[John H.]

Re: Weather stripping maintenance

In today's assembly plants, we use DuPont "Krytox" lubricant on weatherstrips - expensive, but it really works.

[Ralph E.]

Re: Weather stripping maintenance

John,
It appears that the DuPont "Krytox" lubricant you suggested does NOT contain any silicone. Is this true?

[John H.]

Re: Weather stripping maintenance

Yup, no silicone - it's a fluorinated polymer compound.