I messed up. Wd40.

I’m going straight after work to get silicone and try to stop the damage but yesterday I used regular wd40 on my weather stripping. I was on the phone while cleaning my car and I just remembered you can use wd40 but silicone not regular and I did it to everything I could already see it softening up this morning. How do I fix this?

 

Alcohol will remove wd40 but not reverse its effects.
Question... Why were you putting anything on your weatherstrip?
Weatherstrip will last many many years with zero maintenance. Like 25 years.

 

We used silicone spray up north to keep it from freezing the doors shut in winter.

 

Im afraid that once the chemical reaction has run its course, nothing.

You can replace the weatherstripping now or wait until it falls apart.

 

Sorry to hear about this OP. I’ve never had a need to put anything on my weatherstripping and I live in central PA where it can get darn cold. It seems a better idea would be to wax or ceramic coat the body that the stripping seals against. I hope you get this sorted out and thank you for teaching me to keep WD-40 away from it. I never knew this.

 

Doesn't hurt to wipe down the weather striping once a year. I spray some wolfsteins protectant on my vehicles weatherstripping to keep it pliable during the winter months. It helps the doors from freezing shut to.

 

I lived and drove in the snow and rust belt for 40 years. Doors would freeze with external ice but never had an issue with weather stripping. Never used anything on them.

 

If what you did has already damaged / degraded the rubber, then you are pretty much screwed here. Replace it or learn to live with the consequences of your screw up appear to be your only options. Sorry brother!

Can you post some pictures of the damage?

 

To anyone wanting to grease the weather stripping: I purchased this tube a few years ago ---works awesome and 1 tube will last your lifespan!
https://www.amazon.com/Honda-Genuine-Shin-Etsu-Grease/dp/B006Z9TZ9M

Check out the reviews and its highly praised---i dont have anything bad to say about it, other than the price is a little steep, but it lasts years

 

I use to drive BMW's and this is the stuff they recommended for the weather seals on their cars. Kind of expensive but a little goes a long way.

 

i use aerospace 303 on any rubber/plastics. but you can't really do anything now. once the rubber degrades, you can only replace it.

 

Sorry to hear about the WD-40 on your weatherstripping. I live in Pennsylvania and have always used silicone spray on my weatherstripping and sprayed some into the door lock and tailgate lock cylinders. The silicone protects the rubber from deterioration and keeps it supple preventing the doors from freezing shut in the winter. It also keeps the door lock cylinders from freezing up. You just have to be careful to spray it on a rag and wipe it on the weatherstripping to avoid overspray on the paint.

 

This re the freezing, that's the biggest pain in the ass. One of my old cars would constantly freeze anyway.

Worst ever was several years ago trying to open my hood to jump start the battery in a cold snap. Took me a damn hour to make it happen.

 

Am I the only one, that is at least a little bit surprised that one application of WD-40 demolished the weather stripping on a brand new vehicle?

Been using the shit off and on for several decades, and I can't recall it ever damaging anything with the quickness described here.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I just put a thin layer of Vaseline on the weather stripping in the winter. Never had any freezing issues or drying

 

I do fuck all, it's a Toyota!

 

I agree, “Fuck-All” is decent. However, I have found, “Fuck-Off,” to be an even better product with better results. FYI, it must be shaken vigorously and applied in warmer temperatures! Typically available at your local auto parts store.

 

I thought I have heard people recommend cooking spray to keep the weather stripping from freezing.

 

There's your problem right there...put the phone down and focus on what you're doing...

 

I use Aerospace 303 or rubber and plastic. WD40 is not even a very good grease/penetrating oil. When I need a lubricant I use Tri-Flo:https://www.triflowlubricants.com/product/tri-flow-superior-lubricant-aerosol/