Maxie2U

The manual says to, "apply dielectric silicone grease on weatherstrips to make them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Lubricate weatherstrips at least once a year.

Does anyone actually do this?

JerryU

^^^^
Have not but this is the 2nd time recently I have read that on the forum. I have a large tube I have used for years on all bulb bases installed out doors. It's 100% silicon. I'll put some on the new Grand Sport I was informed was built yesterday when I got my VIN! Sounds like a good idea for the roof seals!

guido7834

I've always treated weatherstrip on my cars. I use silicone spray. Spray into a rag and wipe it on

AORoads

If you live in cold climes, some weatherstripping tends to get dirty and stick to doors, windows, etc. Lube helps so it doesn't. Old weatherstripping used to crack after a couple years without treatment. New weatherstripping is better made.

767guy

YUP,, that's what I use

Flame Red

The only negative with using silicone grease is when your wife accidently touches it or worse yet gets it on her clothes!

Gummifpledge is what I use - it won't stain.

Scruff Vette

I do mine once a year with a light coat of GM dielectric silicone grease. I apply it with my fingers to cover all the surfaces of the seals and wipe off any excess with a paper towel. Never had any issues with seals sticking, squeaking or cracking.

Patches

My $.02. Dielectric silicone grease works but it's a bit messy and anyone who works with silicone knows it inevitably migrates to surfaces you don't necessarily want it on

I have always used 303 Aerospace for my interior trim and recently discovered these two products the same company makes for weather strip treatment and plastic trim restoration. Both work great and are a lot neater/easier to apply.

The rubber protectant applicator makes it a cinch to apply the right amount so it takes less time to cover all the seals. The trim restorer applies like a protectant but you do need to be careful to keep it off of surfaces you don't want treated - not that it damages, but it does leave a residue that you will see after it cures. I found alcohol wipes will easily remove any excess I got on clear bra, windows and paint.

yeller z06

I used silicone on my C4 and after 12 years it still looked like new, whereas most other cars I saw had deteriorated badly.

Gummiflgedgeded is good stuff, I use that now.

l2vette

Yes, I have been using the GM Dielectric Silicone Grease product (you can buy it at the dealership) for over 20 years on every Vette I've owned. I apply it to all the rubber seals using an old sock on my hand. Works great!!

robert miller

Yes I use it and do the car 2 times at least per year.

laserdude2215

The book says to use this:

Cirrus8

I bought a tube of this back in the day of distributor caps to insure the rotor and cap had good contact. Since then, I have used it anytime I have had rubber, plastic, and other synthetics that needed to be rendered chemically inert to prevent hardening and cracking. Works good for me!!

iclick

I did it with my 2015, but haven't yet with my 2017 which is only one month old. I cleaned it with Armor-All first, then came back with the dielectric grease. Will probably do it soon on the new car, then follow the one-year recommendation as before.

Edit: Did it yesterday, inspired by this thread.

Great bargain at $35/oz. I use Permatex 22058, which is a tad below GM's price.

Flame Red

$59.91 Actually when I owned a C4 I used that GM product. The C4 weather stripping was so crapulant, replacements would come new from GM pre-cracked. This product did not help to preserve the weatherstripping on the C4 whatsoever, even though GM recommended this product.

Maxie2U

Does it dry or stay wet like grease?

My concern with applying either silicone spray or silicone grease is it will be a magnetic for dirt and road grime which will accurate wear.

Maxie2U

I'm thinking this one which is packaged in a sponge-tipped applicator bottle, which makes it extremely easy to apply it to rubber weatherstripping and leaves a non greasey protection.
http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-...are-stick.html

Kent1999

I do.

I bought a big toothpaste-tube-sized tube of Permatex Dielectric grease at the auto parts store for like what... $7 or so? Lasts many years and applications.

I use the following method at least once or twice a year on my Corvette's door, roof and hatch seals:
1) Open doors & hatch and remove roof. Wipe clean all weatherstripping with a dampened paper towel to remove dust, dirt, etc.
2) Apply dielectric grease liberally to all weatherstripping (I apply with my fingers, as a paper towel absorbs too much of the product and tends to wipe it off instead of wiping it in). At this point they should look shiny/wet from the grease.
3) Let that coating of dielectric grease sit undisturbed on the seals for about 30 minutes.
4) Using several clean paper towels, gently wipe off all excess grease from seals. Then close doors, reinstall roof, close hatch.
Done.

After the above process, I have very minimal residue left to collect dust/dirt on the seals.

I have been doing this since my C5 days, and haven't had any issues with seals. I don't know if its the "official" method, but it works for me.

Flame Red

Yes - that is it. The one negative is that the tip does not last very long. I have used the same one for many years and the tip wore out. After the tip wore out, I put a small piece of rag over the tip and used a zip tie to keep it on. Replace as necessary. The contents seems to go a long way unlike the dispenser.

z28lt1

I don't bother with the garaged vehicles. They seem to be fine even after 10 years or more because the are hardly ever exposed to the elements. I do with the daily drivers, particularly the ones that sit outside. Generally start at about year 3 and then every 1-2 years after that.