Lexol makes a non silicone rubber and vinyl conditioner.
SILICONE IS BAD FOR RUBBER

----- Original Message -----
From: "Simon Reinhardt" <simon@FARRSIDE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 9:03 AM
Subject: Re: Original poptop and window seals leave trails of black residue
after rain on my white 91 MV

> I use silicone spray lube on a shop towel to recondition the seals
> every 6 months to a year or so. Seems to work nicely.
> The problem w/most ArmorAll and related products is they don't really
> do much more than lock you into... using ArmorAll. I saw some article
> or study once, that indicated that ArmorAll seemed to actually dry out
> the surfaces it was applied to. Can't remember where I read that now.
> Of course, you could shell out the relatively larger bucks and find
> someone who sells Zymol. That's supposed to be THE stuff for rubber.
>
> -Simon
>
>
> On Jul 14, 2004, at 5:40 AM, Tom DeMarcus wrote:
>
> > The seals are otherwise in very good condition.  Is there a proven
> > product that will recondition and "seal the seals?"   I know that I can
> > replace the poptop seals fairly easily (although not cheaply), but the
> > window seals are another matter.
> >
> > I have used armoral-type products regularly over the 14 years I've
> > owned the van.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
> >
> > Tom, Atlanta
> >