TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:30 pm

i bought a bus a few weeks ago that was in pretty good shape and too good of a deal to pass up. well today when i washed it i noticed that while washing the windows, the rubber seals around some of the windows started dripping black. when trying to scrub it off all it did was stain the sponge. the seals are in pretty good condition otherwise. they still have a rubbery feel to them and seem to be pretty flexible still. is there anything i can put on them to prevent them from becoming brittle and stop the black from comming off? or is this the start to the end of thier life? someone here at work mentioned something a bout a rubber conditioner or something. does such a thing exist?

Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:36 pm

I've read boiled linseed oil may recondition them a little. Give that a try on a test section.

Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:43 pm

after i posted i was looking around in some old posts and i saw that being suggested. do you know if there is anything an automotive store might carry?

Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:49 pm

You'll find boiled linseed oil at Home Depot in the section with the paint thinner, acetone, naptha, etc.

Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:57 pm

I heard somewhere that you could use glycerin (available at a pharmacy). Anyone tried this one?

Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:09 pm

I've heard some people use vegetable oil for car shows.
I'm not sure if it'll work or not as my seals are gone already.

Laters
Sean

Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:45 pm

Glycerin is the old school was to preserve seals...on the shelf. It has no UV protection built in like modern chemicals made for the job. Mind you we're talking about rubber preservation not restoration. You can't restore the condition of rubber but you can make it look shiny and help the water to bead away.

I'm always wary of advice from guys that involve tricks to make their cars look nice for the judges. Do those cars even go out in the rain?

Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:59 am

I've always used boiled linseed oil as a leather preservative on my baseball glove. It keeps the leather soft, flexible, and a little more water resistant. However, I would becareful cause it can stain certain materials (redish brown). I would test it like rat said, wipe up all excess, and don't wet it until it appears to have soaked in completely.

Neal

Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:22 am

well, so much for trying to save my window seals.... i might as well just get some new ones. over the weekend some vandals went by and shot out a bunch of windows on my street. my bus was one of them. so now i have to replace a window and rather than tryng to use the old seal i might as well get some new ones. anyone know where i can get a pretty good deal? i'm in northern Calif. so somewhere in this genral area would be nice.

Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:30 am

Salone Wrote: Quote: some vandals went by and shot out a bunch of windows on my street. my bus was one of them.

It's a sign from the old Norse VW God Thor that you should replace your seals. No, seriously, that sucks. I hate vandalism. Twice my GTI has been broken into (Thanks, VW, for the easiest door handle break in entry in the world) Except my vandals used a crowbar once and dented up the door nicely. I wish they had just broken the damn window. But I digress.

New seals are abundant and cheap, an vary in quality. Don't count on finding any close to home, although in N. Cali there seems to be a disproportionate amount of VW busses and hence, probably vw supply shops. But mail order is always good. Try Bus Depot or Bus Boys. BD is cheaper, but BB is closer for you. Good quality seals, and decent prices. Buying all the main window seals as a package should bring the cost down even more.
Eric

Mon Feb 23, 2004 7:15 pm

Hiya Salone,

If, on your list of priorities, quality comes before cost then look at Wolfsburg West for your seals. Not cheap but they are wonderful.

Mike

1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck

Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:04 pm

OEVeedub.com is dedicated to importing German wherever possible.
I got some beautiful vent wing outer seals from them.
Colin

Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:26 pm

Hey, I'm with Mike. Buy Wolfsburg West's seals. I bought some lesser quality turn signal seals (Brazil) for my bug that are already dripping black crap after a year and a half. All other seals came from WW and are holding up great. Patty

Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:54 am

your right about quality coming before cost. i work as a Purchasing manager and the best price isn't always the best. you get what you pay for. since it has to be done it may as well get done right and with the right parts.