Is it advisable to apply some vinyl protectant on moonroof's rubber gasket for
uv protection? I can feel the smooth and hard surface of the rubber gasket
so it appears that the rubber gasket aready has some sort of protection sealer
on it.

JM

 

I use the same protectant from tires for the moonroof rubber item. Same material, and works well

 

Using tire protectant on any of your moonroof rubber gaskets is a big no no, especially when they contain petroleum distillates and alchol that can dry out and accelerate the deterioration of the rubber. Don't do it.

 

flipside, I was talking about applying tire protectant which doesn't contain silicone-based oils, not the other kind. This kind of protectant provides a black satin finish on the rubber trim, and won't dry out the rubber material. A great example of that is the 303 Aerospace Protectant, link here.

 

I use Vinylex, works great.

 

Glad you were able to clarify because the average person would just use Armor-All or their favorite greasy tire dressing w/petroleum distillates. The average person doesn't know what those chemicals do to rubber.

 

FWIW, Armor All Protectant was reformulated years ago and is now water based. No petroleum distillates in it as it had prior. 303 Is also water based. Those won't last long in the moonroof application though ( gets too wet regularly) and didn't solve my roof noise either.

The product that solved my moonroof noise, which was caused by binding of the rubber glass gasket on the opening, was Magic Lube, a rubber O-ring lubricant for pools & fountains, here is the product;

http://www.123ponds.com/ap630.html


Most pool stores will have it from $4 to $6. I haven't even reapplied it in over a year, it's durable in wet locations, that's what it's made for. Cheers guys.


P.S. Flipside is correct about a lot of the clear tire shine sprays and such , including Armor All Extreme Tire Shine, containing P/ Ds. Avoid them.

One general rule of thumb; if it's white & watery = water based. (good)

If it's semi clear or clear & thick = petroleum distillates.( bad)

 

I've been using this stuff for most of my vinyl and rubber applications. http://www.lexus-parts.com/partdetai...bCategoryID=81

 

I actually cleaned it yesterday and applied 303 to it like I do my tires.

 

Uh, I thought tires are made of rubber too. So supposely they contain chemicals that can dry out the rubber, how would they protect the tires?

I personally just use water and cloth to clean it because I don't know what to use. Tire protectant seems to be a great idea.

 

Thanks for all the responses. My local dealer told me not to do anything because
the gasket is supposedly treated with silicone. I'm going to leave it alone.

 

There are certain types of tire protectants to buy and ones to stay away from as Guitarman already explained.

 

303 Aerospace is the best stuff for rubber seals IMHO.