Window seals

Anyone have any idea on how to restore window seals? I don’t really want to replace them.

 

More than likely you will be looking for a dye to put the black back into the rubber.
Duplicolor makes a tire dye that may work but its in an aerosol can so you’ll have to prep and tape/cover everything off as if you were painting.

They make trim dressings but most of them probably will not be able to revive that much loss of color.

You can heal the sick but not raise the dead.

Mothers makes a back to black you could try.
Also I love Chemical Guys Tire/Trim Gel. It has to be the greatest trim dressing I have tried. Its a little pricey to try and not have work though. But it works great on all the black plastics on the truck so its not a waste.

Always use caution with these products and tape your paint off if you have to because they will stain the paint. Its less noticable on darker trucks but it still will streak.

 

FYI, you can't replace just the seal. Its part of the window and glued in place. To replace it, you would have to replace the entire window.

 

chem guys tire and trim gel is a good temporary fix.
I have yet to find a product that literally erases the shit stuck to the trim.
Magic eraser works to an extent also but magic erasers are pretty harsh

 

Yea I noticed that on the back window but it’s on the front seals also. I can replace the front ones I believe

 

I use Aerospace 303 protectant on my window seals. It's supposed to 'restore' rubbers and plastic. Mine werent as bad as yours. Might be worth a try..

 

Ok thanks I’ll try all ideas until one works haha

 

This is all I could find at my local parts store. We will see how well it works.

 

you could try a heat gun. ive used it on plastic bumpers and flares and brought the color back to almost new

 

WD-40 ........ steel whool........ don't be to aggressive and wipe to see the smoogma spots . Wash and admire.....

 

Meh, whatever you put on there will only last a few weeks if you’re lucky. Permanent marker is the way to go

 

I tried the armor all stuff, it lasted 2 days on my plastics. Mothers back to black seems to last about 3 weeks

 

Or 303 aerospace protectant, works well for me

 

Yea this stuff didn’t work hardly at all.. I’ll see what I can get my hands on next

 

What did you try??

 

I had the same on my window rubber. I got a multi grit of auto wet dry sand paper in some high grits. Put 2 inch painters tape on the windows where they meet the trim and any metal next to seal. Mist with water and sand by hand going up in grits and wiping rubber with towel between grits. Keep the rubber wet while sanding. When satisfied with results wash car and rub in some of the 303 stuff.

 

The stuff I took a picture of didn’t work and I think your right I need to sand the rubber. 1500 grit to start?

 

I’ve always been under the impression all that smeg is a bunch of mildew and crap, imbedded in the rubber. Only way to avoid is by prevention.

I wonder what would happen if you took a little bit of bleach to it after properly masking it off.

I’ve also read vinegar can do the trick.

Not sure the effect on the rubber though.

 

You are correct when you say prevention is really the only “fix”.

The rubber is no longer black not because of dirt and grime but because of years of UV radiation causing the rubber compound to lose the natural oils.
Restoration products are #1 usually for plastics, not rubber and #2 designed the bring a wet look back to the material.
Very few products are designed to rehydrate rubber trim... mostly because that task is impossible. Once trim has dulled and cracked, it’s done for.
You can heal the sick, but you can’t raise the dead.

OP you can try taking it to a professional detailer and get their opinion... but the trim may be too far gone.