To avoid such problems, we'd recommend the use of silicone lubricant for seals and o rings.
Silicone Oil or Molybdenum Disulfide can be applied to the surface of molded rubber products. These options are low cost and work with most polymers.
Silicone Lubricant Spray | WD-40 Water Resistant Silicone | WD-40. WD-40 Specialist® Silicone Lubricant safely lubricates, resists water and protects metal and non-metal surfaces such as rubber, plastic and vinyl.
Silicone grease from any hardware store. Comes in a little tub, same consistency as petroleum jelly but doesn't rot your seal. A little goes a long way.
Protect your new rubber car seals
WD-40® High Performance Silicone Lubricant is ideal for use on rubber materials. After you have allowed time for the glue to dry and settle, spray the entire rubber surface with WD-40® High Performance Silicone Lubricant, and wipe away with a clean microfiber cloth.
When rubber is exposed to petrolatum, the rubber can become brittle and cracked due to the solvents in the petrolatum. The petrolatum can also cause the rubber to swell and harden, reducing its elasticity and leading to eventual failure.
Rubber door seals are designed to lock out moisture, but if they are not protected with 303 Rubber Seal Protectant they will become brittle over time. Regular application of 303 Rubber Seal Protectant will keep the rubber seals on doors, windows, bonnets and boots functioning like new for years.
It's not advisable to use them on plastic parts. As lithium is based on petroleum, it tends to speed up the decay of rubber and plastic components. Lithium-based grease can withstand high temperatures and are perfect for cars, heavy machinery, and guns.
Warm soapy water and a good rinse is all you need, then wipe off and leave the windows open if possible to dry thoroughly. Don't use detergents like washing up liquid or car shampoo as it seems the residue they leave behind encourages sticking.
Vegetable oil isn't just for use in the kitchen. Some engine manufacturers recommend vegetable oil to lubricate O-Ring seals. In these applications, if petroleum-based lubricants are used, the result will be swelling and cracking of the seal, leading to a leak.
Permatex Silicone Spray lubricates and waterproofs all types of mechanical equipment. This Spray Lubricant stops friction and squeaks and prevents locks, doors, and windows from binding. This high silicone formula does not attract dust or dirt and protects and renews rubber mountings, bushings and weatherstripping.
It depends on the density of the rubber or plastic. Low density (flimsy) rubbers and plastics will deteriorate from long-term exposure to PB. Higher density rubbers and plastics may have some surface softening, but this will not affect its structural integrity.
Quick Restoration
Cleaning smaller seals with Almond oil also helps to restore those seals which have lost their flexibility, cleaning away any dirt and grime in the process too.
Lithium grease can be used for more of conventional purposes like applications on hinges of the door. At the same time, silicone grease can be more suitable for some definitive purposes like valves and O-rings.
A high quality silicone lubricant will displace moisture, provide excellent lubrication for rubber, protect and extend the life of your equipment, doesn't allow dust, dirt, oil and grime to stick, as well as prevent parts from sticking and binding.
However, knowing if the o ring is made from ordinary natural rubber or synthetic rubber is where the problem lies, as petroleum will degrade natural rubber. To avoid such problems, we'd recommend the use of silicone lubricant for seals and o rings.
One of the easiest ways to get rid of the sticky rubber on your stuff is to use window cleaner or rubbing alcohol. The ammonia in the window cleaner or the alcohol breaks down the rubberized coating, removing the part that's sticky and revealing fresh, unsticky rubber underneath.
How to protect your vehicle's rubber seals Spray WD-40 Specialist® Silicone Lubricant and work the product into the seals. Repeat for each door. Don't forget the trunk!
At Nye, we do not recommend silicone greases for electrical automotive applications. It has been found that lower quality, light base oil viscosity silicone lubricants present the possibility of outgassing, potentially contaminating nearby switch contacts leading eventually to switch failure and continuity problems.
Concerning vaseline, it is a petroleum derivative. As mentioned above, hydrocarbons attack rubber. If you coat rubber gaskets with petroleum jelly to preserve them, you will get the opposite effect. After a few months, the rubber will become porous and you will need to change all your joints.
In the SWR product range, the rubber lubricant is used to joint Pushfit/rubber ring pipes and fittings. This product is neither a glue, nor a solvent cement, it's a unique lubricating agent that enables easy fitment of pipes. Ashirvad Pushfit systems are tested to withstand pressure of 5kg/cm2.
I was advised to use silicon grease, as used by plumbers. It comes in a little pot and is cheap. I put some on a rag, and then wipe all I can off. I then wipe the rag on the rubbers where they contact the door.
303 Rubber Seal Protectant helps to prevent these issues, as it restores and maintains the suppleness of rubber seals, enabling them to continue functioning like new. Its powerful conditioning action also restores the natural colour of seals if they have already faded.
We know smearing with Vaseline, spraying with a silicone spray, or greasing with oil. The problem with all these solutions is that, with one-time or short-term use, they have few disadvantages, but these products do affect the rubbers or the paint of your car. You may get a dirty discoloration on your paint.