TheSamba.com :: View topic - NOS window rubber

Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:06 pm

I am at the point that I need to make the decision to use all the NOS window rubber I have collected for my bus restoration or should I use reproduction rubber.

Has anyone installed NOS window rubber with good success or did it turn to brittle black crap in a matter of months?

I searched this topic but came up empty handed.

Thanks for the input.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:19 pm

What good are parts if you can't use them? That's great they're NOS now. I think that rubber will get old and musty from just sitting around (dried up old balls).

Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:22 pm

Send it all to me Neil, I'll use it.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:24 pm

I used some NOS window scrapers on my ghia, and it was a major PITA to install. It wasn't very pliable, and it never really took a proper set to the window.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:29 pm

i've used NOS rubber with mixed results.
most of the time, where i have used NOS rubber, it works just fine.
in some cases it works well, fits properly, but after being exposed to heat and high temperatures it cracked. not small little cracks, but one big crack. this happened to me most recently with an NOS vent window rubber, and it cracked where the lower arm of the vent window passes through the rubber. not a big deal to me, because it still seals better than the repro piece that was in there before.
i think the most important thing is that the NOS rubber has been stored properly and still has the protective goo on it. i have some super nice, supple NOS rubber that is all waxy and i will not hesitate to use it when the time comes. i also have some NOS rubber that is rock hard and cracks the moment i try to move it, making it almost useless, other than as a conversation piece.
i continue to buy NOS rubber and use it, because in most cases where i have used it, it worked better, fit better, sealed better, and lasted longer than reproduction stuff.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:41 pm

hazetguy wrote:
i think the most important thing is that the NOS rubber has been stored properly and still has the protective goo on it. i have some super nice, supple NOS rubber that is all waxy and i will not hesitate to use it when the time comes. i also have some NOS rubber that is rock hard and cracks the moment i try to move it, making it almost useless, other than as a conversation piece.

I agree it's all about storage/exposure. Once the plasticizers migrate out, it's toast.

Wow, 2 rubber questions in 2 days. I'm a rubber chemist by the way.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:02 pm

Not Bus but I sold someone an NOS Type 3 windshield rubber and he said it cracked at the corners within 1 year.

I've used some NOS road draft tube seals and they don't seem to last any longer than repros. They feel nicer though.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:29 pm

hazetguy wrote: i've used NOS rubber with mixed results.
most of the time, where i have used NOS rubber, it works just fine.
in some cases it works well, fits properly, but after being exposed to heat and high temperatures it cracked. not small little cracks, but one big crack. this happened to me most recently with an NOS vent window rubber, and it cracked where the lower arm of the vent window passes through the rubber. not a big deal to me, because it still seals better than the repro piece that was in there before.
i think the most important thing is that the NOS rubber has been stored properly and still has the protective goo on it. i have some super nice, supple NOS rubber that is all waxy and i will not hesitate to use it when the time comes. i also have some NOS rubber that is rock hard and cracks the moment i try to move it, making it almost useless, other than as a conversation piece.
i continue to buy NOS rubber and use it, because in most cases where i have used it, it worked better, fit better, sealed better, and lasted longer than reproduction stuff.

youve had luck because youre using rubber for roundies. didnt they just move those things off the showroom floors just a few years ago? :twisted:

Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:36 pm

actually, i wish i could find some NOS rubber for my 74 rather than the crap they reproduce, or be able to find stuff they don't reproduce that is necessary. most of the NOS rubber on my 74 is in the engine compartment, where it is doing just fine. the only other rubber i've replaced on it is the door handle gaskets on the driver's door, with NOS gaskets of course (and they're doing just fine).
sorry, i don't have any current pics of the NOS rubber on my 59.

cheers!

Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:55 pm

D'oh! :lol:
i know youve had the photo loaded and ready for the right time.
i never deny my roots.... :wink:

Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:57 pm

npbusguy wrote: I am at the point that I need to make the decision to use all the NOS window rubber I have collected for my bus restoration or should I use reproduction rubber.

Has anyone installed NOS window rubber with good success or did it turn to brittle black crap in a matter of months?

I searched this topic but came up empty handed.

Thanks for the input.
Dude, I installed some in the green westy I no longer have. The glass practically installed itself. It was like butter. Beautiful.
I used NOS safari seals on my '61 deluxe. They didn't leak for a couple years :P

Oh ya, Glycerin them to help preserve ther rubber.

umm, no I mean they sucked. Definately send them to Greg. ;)

Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:13 pm

If you found an "NOS" condom in your high school wallet from 20 years ago would you use it? Just throwing that out there.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:03 pm

arthurnugen wrote: If you found an "NOS" condom in your high school wallet from 20 years ago would you use it? Just throwing that out there.

"But baby, it's NOS!" :lol:

Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:03 pm

The reason I have the NOS rubber is because when you buy a piece or two at a time, it is really cheap. I also thought it would fit better than the repro rubber that I used to see people mess with years ago. My hesitation to use it is not because I want to preserve the value (or lack there of) of a NOS part - it is because I want to restore the bus one time and there are 15 windows in my bus to consider. If the NOS stuff is going to crack and shrink in two months, I would rather use the newly manufactured rubber with the pre-formed corners. If the stuff holds up for many years, I think it would be best to use original stuff in the restoration.
Luckly, my window rubber seems to have been stored well, is supple and has the waxy coating on it.

FWIW - I didn't use rubbers in high school, my girlfriend was on the pill.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:36 pm

I don't think there is a definitive answer here. It's a gamble either way.

If there is any hardening then they won't last long. If they are nice and supple, with good spring back then you could get good service life.

So today my olympic condoms arrived so I suggested to the wife that maybe I'll wear GOLD tonight.........wife said why don't you wear SILVER and cum 2nd for a change. :lol:

Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:15 pm

hazetguy wrote:
i think the most important thing is that the NOS rubber has been stored properly and still has the protective goo on it. i have some super nice, supple NOS rubber that is all waxy and i will not hesitate to use it when the time comes. i also have some NOS rubber that is rock hard and cracks the moment i try to move it, making it almost useless, other than as a conversation piece.
i continue to buy NOS rubber and use it, because in most cases where i have used it, it worked better, fit better, sealed better, and lasted longer than reproduction stuff.

you said supple.......huh huh huh

actually, a friend of mine has some nos rubber for his notchback and it cracked in the corners.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:45 am

DownRiver wrote: I don't think there is a definitive answer here. It's a gamble either way.

If there is any hardening then they won't last long. If they are nice and supple, with good spring back then you could get good service life.

Thanks Downriver, it is nice to have a rubber chemist on the forums to bounce these technical issues off of.

So, I have decided to use the old rubber (sorry Greg) and will post the results in a year or so. I guess the worst thing that will happen is that I have to replace one or all the window rubber.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:21 am

Pickett, , when you say "is supple and has the waxy coating on it.", are you refering to the NOS rubber or your buttocks??? I say smear it with some marvel mystery oil and use it! regardless of which you were referring to.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:26 am

If it is in the condition that you describe, I would not hesitate to use it. If it does crack or fail, I agree that it's not that hard to replace. Good luck.

Arthur

Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:21 pm

DownRiver wrote: Wow, 2 rubber questions in 2 days. I'm a rubber chemist by the way.

What is the best way to store it i.e. cold, close to cement, in plastic, etc? What are the worst things for it i.e. UV, folded wrong, i plastic, etc? None of these things are real things but just to give examples of what I'm seeking.