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09-04-2022, 12:58 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Limerick, ME
Posts: 158
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How to preserve rubber seals
As my '29 RPU is almost finished, I noticed that the headlight bar fender seals are cracking and my hubcap O-rings have broken like an 'old rubber band'. These were all new within the past 1 1/2 years. Now that I have to replace the O-rings already, is there a way to prevent them from breaking again? Frustrating when they're so new!
Thanks for the help. Craig |
09-04-2022, 01:14 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 207
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Soak in glycerin every now and then, also works for old non cracked rubber
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09-04-2022, 01:30 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Those parts very likely sat in a warehouse and a dealer's shelf, so they were aged when bought them thinking they were new. Replace the hub cap o'rings with waxed string using as many turns necessary to tighten the caps.
Originally, the Model "A" did not have anything between the headlight bar and fenders. To protect the paint, I use clear plastic shipping tape trimmed to the footprint of the headlight bar. Be sure to have a good ground between the frame, the headlight sockets and the horn.
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Bob Bidonde |
09-04-2022, 02:36 PM | #4 |
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Bob,
Where do you get waxed string? |
09-04-2022, 02:40 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Roanoke, VA USA
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Maybe something like this? Livder 175 Yards 1 mm Waxed Polyester Cord Thread Bracelet Necklace String Wire for Jewelry Making Beading Crafting https://a.co/9BCBfSF Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
09-04-2022, 03:18 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Limerick, ME
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
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09-04-2022, 08:00 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 79
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Taillight to fender seals never happened either
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09-05-2022, 07:44 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,472
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Waxed string is used on aircraft to tie the electrical wires in a harness. You can make some by pulling string on a candle. Heat the candle a tad to soften it. See this:
https://www.xsotica.com/natural-roun...iABEgKPy_D_BwE
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Bob Bidonde |
09-05-2022, 09:53 AM | #9 |
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
It's called "lacing".
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09-05-2022, 10:33 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 1,499
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
I think those rubber parts come from China and the rubber used does not stand up to sunlight. I've had those hubcap rubbers do the same thing so I don't use them anymore.
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09-05-2022, 10:54 AM | #11 |
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Limerick, ME
Posts: 158
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Apparently they don't stand up to air either! My car is in a relatively dark garage all the time. 'Chinesium' at its finest....
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09-05-2022, 10:55 AM | #12 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tacoma, WA
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Embalmers use waxed string. Might try looking up Mortuary Supplies. Don't ask me how I know.
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09-05-2022, 11:10 AM | #13 |
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Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Western NC
Posts: 213
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Get a bottle of 303 Aerospace protectant. That stuff is amazing. Wipe it on rubber parts like that and it seems to extend their life considerably. For seals like in the OP, coat the new ones before installing.
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09-05-2022, 11:11 AM | #14 |
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
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09-05-2022, 11:22 AM | #15 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: now Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 3,779
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Chinese companies produce what the customer wants, just like companies everywhere. When the U.S. buyer wants the cheapest price, he gets the cheapest product. This is why your rubber seals crack so soon!
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09-05-2022, 02:27 PM | #16 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Campbell,CA, USA
Posts: 319
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Quote:
The problem is that people who have these parts made do not specify what type of rubber should be used. Anything exposed to sunlight should be made from EPDM. |
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09-05-2022, 04:35 PM | #17 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,849
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Re: How to preserve rubber seals
Quote:
While driving to Oregon to visit my wife's parents we had a valve stem break off on the highway. We made it to a Performance Tire Store in Stockton, Ca. The manager was aware of the recall and replaced all of our valve stems for free. It could have been worse but we were close to the off ramp for a rest stop. |
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