Greg86andahalf

Hello everyone,

I have my car back from the paint shop where we changed the color. I'm beginning the re-assembaly process and was wondering if anyone had advice on how to renew the black on some of the rubber seals and gaskets.

I'm replaceing some of them with new, while others appear to be OK but the black faded or has old wax and stuff in them. I would like to make them deep black again. Painting is not an opion as the rubber would get hard or brittle. There are some products used for detailing, but I doubt that treatment will last.

Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Greg

MikeN

There is a product called "Back to Black".....that I believe is made by Mothers that has done a great job for me in the past. If anything is going to make it look close to new again.....this is it.

Rob M Budd

I'm doing the same thing. Replaced most of the seals with new ones, and used Zymol on the others.
Zymil Seal, Preservative for Rubber Seals.
No silicone and it works great for installing those pesky outer window seals.

tresamore

Try this on a small piece first to see if you like it. Get some brake cleaner (not the non-chlorinated cheap stuff) and put on some rubber gloves and do this in a well ventilated area. Spray it on an old towel and pull the seals through the wet towel. It will clean the seals really well and they will look like new. You will have to keep turning and wetting the towel. If your worried about drying out the seals don't. The cleaner flashes off almost instantly. Its not something you'd want to do to them every week but once is OK. I've done this many times and never had a problem w/ the seals drying out any more than normal. I wonder if I'll get flamed for this procedure.

SharkSkin

No flame tresamore, but I would follow that treatment with something to condition the rubber.

tresamore

Good point Dave, especially while they are off the car and in hand.

Seth W

Griots garage has a product that is almost like a shoe polish applicator. it works VERY well.

Jim R.

Second the Groits product. I think it dyes the rubber black, and looks great. It also lasts a very long time-at least on my old M3.

Jim