Exterior maintenance: How long before our window seals rot?

[jutus]

The WRX's cool frameless doors save weight, but there are a few caveats. The first one I noticed is minor: if it's raining, water drips onto your seat when you open the door (boo frickin hoo).

However, the second thing I've noticed is the way the glass window presses against the rubber liner (bending it) to form a seal. I often get condensation in between the window and the seal... it doesn't look nice and I open all the doors and wipe the condensation off the window and the seal almost daily.

I'm worried that the water combined with the Florida sun is damaging my window seals. Is this a valid concern? What can be done to protect the window seals from the effects of the environment? I already cover my car.

How much does it cost to get the seals replaced anyways?

thanks!

- j

[tan]

Spray silicone lube on the window and door seals. It keeps the rubber conditioned and prevents cracking.

[jutus]

Originally posted by tan
Spray silicone lube on the window and door seals. It keeps the rubber conditioned and prevents cracking.

Thanks for the tip. I'll do that. I've got a bottle of silicon lube right that we use when intubating patients.

Doesn't this stuff smear onto the windows?

[tan]

Yeah it does (that's why you open the doors)

You can always spray the stuff heavily on a paper towel and then wipe the seals down.

[jutus]

Originally posted by tan
Yeah it does (that's why you open the doors)

LOL. What I meant was, doesn't the lube you apply to the seal come off onto the window when you close the door?

[tan]

Yeah it will, you need to give it time for the stuff to penetrate, then remove whatever excess.

[verbal]

Aren't there any rubber treatments that could be used?

One problem I have is the rubber leaving spots on the window. They can't be wiped off normally or with window cleaner. I was going to try using alcohol or goo gone. Anybody else get this?

[GLwagon]

I can't tell you how they are now, but in '98 on a 1983 subaru the seals wern't "roted" but did have a few more leaks than a new WRX... 15 years pretty good...
I can't tell you if they were treated or not... I never went any further than dash protectant... once in a blue moon...

[tan]

you can use Armor-All if you have it laying around

[jutus]

I used Armor-all, and I have a 3M lotion product called "Refresh" for leather + vinyl, which I use on all vinyl, plastic and leather parts of my interior.

The stuff smells kinda wussy but I am a sucker for 3M products. Those guys are geniuses. The lotion is marketed towards women but hey, I'm in touch with my sensitive side.

Gets a good shine out of leather, not unlike Meguiar's wipes.

[tan]

I think it's more like a nice deep matte finish. I got the one with the blue cap at home.

But it does smell nice

[aussieinstlouis]

I had a 1994 WRX in Australia and the door seals were still fine at the end of 2001 when I sold it to come to the USA. 7 years in the Aussie sun is pretty good.

[Nexus6]

Originally posted by jutus
However, the second thing I've noticed is the way the glass window presses against the rubber liner (bending it) to form a seal. I often get condensation in between the window and the seal... it doesn't look nice and I open all the doors and wipe the condensation off the window and the seal almost daily.- j

i hate that, condensation of the rubber liner, it always happens whenever it rains hard or i wash my car...