Anyone have weatherstrip conditions like this?

[kerph32]

My '96 did not have this problem, I assume because it was garaged, while my new one was not garaged for any of its life.
Anyway, is there a way to fix it? I'm talking about both the rubber under the windows and the black molding that surrounds the windows on the sides and top... it has a mold/decayed kind of look, with little cirlces all over it.

 

[skandalous]

That's odd. It's not that old of a car. Mine is never garaged and it's never had anything like that.

 

[xLibelle]

oxidation... im not sure what products will help. as for the rubber, you might need new strips.

 

[manuel]

i have the same problem...mine does get a beating daily so yeah. anyhow, i havent found anything to fix it. meguiars makes this rubber protectant, its only a temporary fix though...

 

[vlad]

Get a good rubber cleaner like Meguiar's Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner and a rather stiff sponge. Scrub the rubber down with that then protect with 303 Aerospace Protectant.

The Meguiar's cleaner and conditioner is good stuff but it will not protect that exposed rubber from UV rays like the 303 Protectant can!

 

[xLibelle]

what ticks me off is how the rubber, anywhere on the car, loses its oils and ends up smearing the door panneling and paint near the window trim when trying to clean it.

vlad, i should get that cover from you....

 

[carcus]

Yep, mine is kinda the same, cracked around the door handles and the rubber grommet on the antenna is rotted in half. Luckily, the rubber around the convertible top is doing OK and the trunk seal.

 

[MEIN RITT]

there is a product called "back to black" and I am unsure of the maker or anything, but what it does is it actually goes back into the plastics and rubbers and re-dyes the element. It is fairly in-exspensive and is easy to use. I know about this stuff cuz I have a 1973 Volkswagen Thing, and I bought this product to see what it could do on some of that really really agred black plastic, and it really did the trick. I think that I got it at Salvo auto parts. If you are unable to find any just let me know and I can mail you some if you pay for it. But I do know that it is called "back to black" leme know if you want me to grab you some.

 

[kerph32]

Yeah I have some of that, It's made by Mother's... I haven't tried it yet on my car (I'll try it on my mom's Saab first haha)