Vinyl stiff, Rubber oxidized.. ideas ?

[Widget]

Hi Guys,

The spare wheel cover for my HONDA CRV (the hard plastic type), I noticed the vinyl section that zips up around the spare, has gone hard. I've had the cover off the car for sometime, but must have been exposed to weather.

Is this an easy way of softening it up so its more flexible (like normal vinyl)? I don't want to force it into shape as is, as that would likely crack/split it (?).

Would soaking the stiffer sections in hot water (with leather shampoo) help ?

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af101/Widget1983/Detailing/Exterior/20170521_161237_zpsr3zrdc4x.jpg


Regardng the rubber window seals, they're oxidized and dirty. Tried cleaning them, but improvements are minimal at best.

I've cleaned them then tried solution finish, which darkens the rubber a little, but the discolouration is still noticable.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af101/Widget1983/Detailing/Exterior/20170518_160751_zpssn9ub6dj.jpg

Mostly look like that, with some section more worse.

I'm considering buying some of this, though not sure if it's something that'll clean them, or just something that you use to condition good condition rubber seals.

https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/einszett_1z/rubber_care_stick_gumme_pfledge

Anything? perhaps an Acid of some sort ?


Advice on either or both would be super.

Thanks :)

[fightnews]

I heard solution finish was the best stuff out there. idk if its for rubber though? what did you use to clean the rubber before using sf on it?

edit solution finish is not for rubber. "If it's made of black plastic or vinyl, Solution Finish will make it look better than new!"


thats from the product page. let me know how you make out i have some rubber i want to restore. griots has a rubber prep if that helps.

[fightnews]

I found this online,

Restoring Rubber With Ammonia. Use ammonia to restore natural rubber. Ammonia is often used to wash bathroom fixtures and can be used for laundry as well. ...

i might try it

Edit, Never mind dont try it! its a totally different thing then what we want. Just read online.

[Eldorado2k]

Hi Guys,

The spare wheel cover for my HONDA CRV (the hard plastic type), I noticed the vinyl section that zips up around the spare, has gone hard. I've had the cover off the car for sometime, but must have been exposed to weather.

Is this an easy way of softening it up so its more flexible (like normal vinyl)? I don't want to force it into shape as is, as that would likely crack/split it (?).

Would soaking the stiffer sections in hot water (with leather shampoo) help ?

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af101/Widget1983/Detailing/Exterior/20170521_161237_zpsr3zrdc4x.jpg


Regardng the rubber window seals, they're oxidized and dirty. Tried cleaning them, but improvements are minimal at best.

I've cleaned them then tried solution finish, which darkens the rubber a little, but the discolouration is still noticable.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af101/Widget1983/Detailing/Exterior/20170518_160751_zpssn9ub6dj.jpg

Mostly look like that, with some section more worse.

I'm considering buying some of this, though not sure if it's something that'll clean them, or just something that you use to condition good condition rubber seals.

https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/einszett_1z/rubber_care_stick_gumme_pfledge

Anything? perhaps an Acid of some sort ?


Advice on either or both would be super.

Thanks :)

Get some Mothers Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner. That's specifically what you need to get that job done. After that use whatever you like, as it'll be as close to new as you will ever get it.

[Widget]

I heard solution finish was the best stuff out there. idk if its for rubber though? what did you use to clean the rubber before using sf on it?

edit solution finish is not for rubber. "If it's made of black plastic or vinyl, Solution Finish will make it look better than new!"


thats from the product page. let me know how you make out i have some rubber i want to restore. griots has a rubber prep if that helps.

Thanks fightnews :). Before using SF, I just used a bit of 3D Orange Degreaser and scrubbed it with a toothbrush. I think it helped a little, but not as much as I'd liked.



Get some Mothers Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner. That's specifically what you need to get that job done. After that use whatever you like, as it'll be as close to new as you will ever get it.

Thanks Eldorado, Ill look into it :). Have you used it at all?? works well ?

Once I get it looking as good as I can get it, I was just gonna put some sort of rubber conditioner followed with maybe some (spray)wax.

[fightnews]

Apparently c4 works on rubber trim. They say you have to apply trim and wipe off "excess" right away. The only problem is they don't define "excess"? TO ME, If you wipe it on with the cotton pad and dont get any on the glass or paint then there is no excess.

But I think to them you are supposed to wipe the treated surface with a microfiber regardless in every application. IDK???

can anyone clarify?

[fightnews]

Get some Mothers Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner. That's specifically what you need to get that job done. After that use whatever you like, as it'll be as close to new as you will ever get it.


Whats up bro? Hows the job treating you?

[fightnews]

Thanks fightnews :). Before using SF, I just used a bit of 3D Orange Degreaser and scrubbed it with a toothbrush. I think it helped a little, but not as much as I'd liked.




Thanks Eldorado, Ill look into it :). Have you used it at all?? works well ?

Once I get it looking as good as I can get it, I was just gonna put some sort of rubber conditioner followed with maybe some (spray)wax.

you got me all pumped up kid im going to tackle my rubber trim today. been putting it off for a while.

[Widget]

Apparently c4 works on rubber trim.

What's C4 ?

[fightnews]

What's C4 ?

Its an expensive trim restorer, I bought it a while ago but i ended up using the mckees plastic restorer instead and that worked great. I tried to use the c4 on vinyl but it didnt work so im just sitting on it. i didnt know I could use it on rubber until today.

they sell the c4 here just search in the store i forget who makes it

[Eldorado2k]

Thanks fightnews :). Before using SF, I just used a bit of 3D Orange Degreaser and scrubbed it with a toothbrush. I think it helped a little, but not as much as I'd liked.




Thanks Eldorado, Ill look into it :). Have you used it at all?? works well ?

Once I get it looking as good as I can get it, I was just gonna put some sort of rubber conditioner followed with maybe some (spray)wax.

Of course I've used it. I don't go out recommending stuff I've never tried.. It's the 1st thing I reach for whenever I have to restore some plastic trim. IME no APC does what this stuff can do.
It goes from this:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170521/f4e2fa99dba1b5c281a9b2dc2054075b.jpg

To this: Then you're properly prepped to do exactly what you plan to do...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170521/44fbb51485d2defc39e5c9b80c91bc94.jpg

Works just as well on rubber.



Whats up bro? Hows the job treating you?

What job are you referring to bro? Yesterday's job? It went very well :)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170521/80562a251d9b3b589178af206259bf8c.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170521/2730235e3b06d1873bc302233cbeaf75.jpg

I've got another boat lined up for today :)

[Tasmania]

Just carpro it mate with D-Lux its all the same stuff.

clean wax/degrease remover IPA then seal. Stand back and look at your awesome work. =)

[Widget]

Just carpro it mate with D-Lux its all the same stuff.

clean wax/degrease remover IPA then seal. Stand back and look at your awesome work. =)

Thanks Tas. I watched a video of CARPRO CQUARTZ DLUX vs Gtech C4, looks like they're just a coating, no a cleaner. Not too fussed about coating it in the end, rather the cleaning part. Maybe I should try an acid based cleaner, maybe a water spot remover might work ?