How to preserve rubber seals

[slatgrille]

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

[rust revival]

Soak in glycerin every now and then, also works for old non cracked rubber

[Bob Bidonde]

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.

[mcgarrett]

Bob,
Where do you get waxed string?

[shew01]

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

Bob,
Where do you get waxed string?

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

[slatgrille]

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Thanks for the tips guys! Since the seals aren't original equipment, would the tail light bracket to rear fender seal also be an aftermarket 'thing'?

[norcalal]

Taillight to fender seals never happened either

[Bob Bidonde]

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

[katy]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Waxed string is used on aircraft to tie the electrical wires in a harness.

It's called "lacing".

[Flathead]

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.

[slatgrille]

Apparently they don't stand up to air either! My car is in a relatively dark garage all the time. 'Chinesium' at its finest....

[Tacoma Bob]

Embalmers use waxed string. Might try looking up Mortuary Supplies. Don't ask me how I know.

[Stingray70]

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.

[Flathead]

Originally Posted by Tacoma Bob

Embalmers use waxed string. Might try looking up Mortuary Supplies. Don't ask me how I know.

I won't ask what they use it for either.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by slatgrille

Apparently they don't stand up to air either! My car is in a relatively dark garage all the time. 'Chinesium' at its finest....

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!

[Terry Burtz, Calif]

Originally Posted by slatgrille

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

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.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Terry Burtz, Calif

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.

Some years ago, Dill had a recall of 2 million valve stems for tubless tires because they didn't mix in the UV "stuff" to protect them from the sun and the were cracking.

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.