If the stuff dissolves in water, it might be salt. Fungus is another
possibility, it does look a bit like the rubber is degraded nearby it.
Rubber does deteriorate over time. I'm not sure of the exact material
used in these gaskets, if they are true rubber or some synthetic.
Different materials break down differentially (my experience with
these window gaskets is that a wipe down with a cloth turns the cloth
black, very quickly, whereas new gaskets don't do that.)

On Aug 20, 2009, at 3:54 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:

> Here's some photos of the creepy white/tan powdery schmutz on the
> windshield rubber. Please see the rightmost two pictures. Note that
> this
> stuff does NOT appear on any other rubbers, nor is it on the sides or
> upper portion of the windshield rubber. This portion of the rubber
> receives a lot of sunlight, but the outside portion isn't affected
> similarly.
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/j.michael.elliott/Vanagon#
>
> Ideas?
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR
>
>
>
> On 8/19/2009 11:27 AM Jeff Lincoln wrote:
>
>> Mr. Squirrel,
>>
>> I wonder if this is the remnant of some kind of seal epoxy or
>> lubricant used
>> to install the window. Then again you think it would be common if
>> that were
>> the case.
>>
>> Does the windshiled appear to be leaking during rain? Is this the
>> original
>> window seal?
>>
>> I'm just throwing that out there because - well I'm curious to see
>> where
>> this goes. I've never experienced it.
>>
>> --
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jeff
>> '90 Carat (Grover)
>> '86 (We call this one Parts)
>> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>>