I messed up. Wd40.

303 and shin-etsu are the best.

303 kept the top on my s2000 looking pretty damn good for about 15-16 years even though it finally failed at the seams. shin-etsu has kept my weatherstripping looking good too.

 

you can always tell whos been around the honda forums based on shin etsu usage... lol

 

I always use brake fluid DOT 3 on all the rubber weather strips, motor mounts, exhaust hangers and rubber bushings on the suspension. Even sprayed behind the pulley for the A/C compressor to coat the shaft seal. I learned this trick from watching Motor Week. The DOT 3 has a chemical additive to keep the caliper seals flexible and to prevent deteriorating. I did a test first trying this idea on my snowmobile track and could not believe how well the track looked like new and flexible many years later. Since used on everything that I listed. Just sold my 95 F150 and the A/C was much better than the newer taco. Great for getting rid of squeaks in the suspension. I also use Corrosion Free Formula 3000 Rust Cure on the undercarriage.

 

wait... you're rubbing brake fluid on weatherstripping that touches paint?

 

He siad he had good looking flexible rubber. Nothing about good looking paint.

 

Wont hurt it short term, but get some of this stuff asap.

$15 DuPont™ Silicone - Surface Safe Lubricant Aerosol, 14 oz

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3ZKVAS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

For the weather stripping I poured a few drops on a rag to rub it in. I should have warned people not spray it on near any paint. In thirty years of doing this it actually has never ruined the paint even if I did accidently touch it. My nephew's son who has my old 95 ford and is so proud of his first vehicle.

 

Have you tried plain old soap and water or a degreaser? Press it into the rubber and squeeze it out. Apply conditioner afterwards.

$9 303 Products 30324 Rubber Seal Protectant - 3.4 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/303-Rubber-P...491984776673725126&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hv=

 

Yup!

 

That’s exactly what I did. The reason I put the wd40 I was thinking of silicone just not paying attention. I got the silicone and it looks great now. Been like a week still shines. Usually I use chemical guys the blue stuff I forgot what it’s called but it always starts getting really dull after a week in the sun.

 

Not the door seals. The outside stripping in the windows because everything I pt in there from chemical guys faded in a week.

 

Hills of southwestern Maine, never had any freezing of the doors. Granted it lives in a garage but it does get to come out and play in the snow and ice.

 

what?! DOT fluid breaks down rubber and plastics. don't do this.

 

While I agree on not doing this I doubt it harms rubber. The seals and flexible lines in the brake system are rubber.

 

the rubber in those brake lines are a special compound resistant to breaking down. I used to bleed brakes on bikes all the time and it would destroy the grips/tires if you spilled it on them. mineral fluid is fine and won't harm anything but DOT fluid is corrosive.

also, DOT fluid will strip paint so if you put it on your door seals it can take the paint off the inside of the door.

 

I've never had an issue but agree completely on the paint. If it hurts rubber or not just don't see this being a good idea. Especially when products made specifically for this are so easy to get.

 

I used dot 3 on my f150 that was 27 years old and rubbed it on the upper radiator hose every other year and I never replaced it in 27 YEARS of ownership. It was like new soft and pliable. door seals and exhaust rubber hangers never rotted. I live in Canada in the snow and salt. To be safe I don't recommend getting near the paint.