restoring old rubber gaskets?
 

Has anyone had any luck with rejuvenating old rubber gaskets?

Just so happens I have retained my original rear window gasket
that accommodates the SS trim piece and its in pretty good shape.

If anyone has a good way of rejuvenating old rubber I would give it a go
on this rear window gasket if in fact they are not being reproduced anywhere.

As usual thanks in advance
Jeff

Re: restoring old rubber gaskets?
 

people recommend everything from wd40 to bleach, all of that scares me a bit that it may accelerate deterioration in long run.

If what you have now is sound, maybe just give it a good clean in hot water and let it dry in the sun, see if it becomes supply enough that successful installation seems likely. Then seal edges with butyl rubber or your choice of goo

these guys have some more recommendations, and since they make rubber products they may know what they are talking about
https://www.martins-rubber.co.uk/blo...seals-a-guide/

Re: restoring old rubber gaskets?
 

Thank you Leegreen!

That was insightful!

My only option I believe will be to rejuvenate my old gasket,
I do like my SS trim :)

Re: restoring old rubber gaskets?
 

I usually find that adding anything petroleum based seems to soften up the rubber, but it also seems to keep softening it up to the point of turning it to goo over the long term. just saying, be carefull with the amounts used. possibly try a silicone based rubber cleaner, like back to black or something.
if the rubber is kinda hard and the window is out, like you're gonne re-use the rubber, be careful not to break the glass trying to get it back in there with rubber that doesn't wanna bend easily.
have you tried lmc truck for the rubber? is your truck a 1st or 2nd series 55?
I remember back in the 80's when the chevy trucks had the chromed window bead that is inserted to keep the window in place, like instead of the black rubber bead. possibly one of those would work in place of the rubber bead in one of the old trucks too? not sure of the profile it had, but a local glass shop, or somebody on the correct thread here, might know.

Re: restoring old rubber gaskets?
 

I have soaked old rubber gaskets in DOT 3 brake fluid before to soften them up but only on things not near paint. I can't recommend doing your window gasket with this technique.

Rick

Re: restoring old rubber gaskets?
 

this thread reminds me of working in an engine shop waaay back. I was in the cylinder head rebuild dept and sometimes a set of heads would come in late in the day. we would just put them in the hot tank overnight or over the weekend, whatever, and let them degrease fully assembled till our next work day started. sometimes the valve seals would be swelled up as big as my fist and be like jelly. it just reminds me how much rubber can absorb in a short time. wouldn't want that to happen if "restored" with the wrong stuff.

Re: restoring old rubber gaskets?
 

I'd pass if it is in bad enough shape that you need to do anything to revitalize it.

Two things I don't tend to want to use are old gaskets that aren't perfect and old long time on the shelf carb kits. Which reminds me I need to dig out and rebuild the Quadrajet for th Cad 500 in my 71 next week as the kit has been around too long and I need the Edelbrock carb for my 48.