Max,

I'd bet there's a policy at "Ask a Science Guy" Prohibiting endorsement of
specific products.

To address the issue of non UV protection, I tried a little experiment.
Instead of thinning the glycerin with water, I used a little 303 UV
protectant as a thinning agent. An interesting thing happened. Instead of
the window seal soaking up the mixture  right away and leaving a matte
finish, as it does with the gly/water mix, the 303/gly mix stayed shiny even
after  45 minutes. Even after I wiped off the excess ti still had that
Armour All look.

My guess is the 303 is blocking the glycerine from being absorbed by the
rubber. If that's the case, applying glicerine/water first followed by a 303
wipedown after the glycerin soaks in might keep the good stuff in and the
UV's out.  As always, YMMV...

John Meeks
'91 Multivan
Northern Michigan

Vanagon Rescue Squad
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Vanagon_Rescue_Squad74.htm

Radio Call:KC8ZFN

,
On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 4:49 AM, Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@cfu.net>wrote:

> If they didn't like glycerin, I wish they had been more specific
> about what they WOULD use.  "commercial products" is pretty vague.
>
> DM&FS
>
> At 11:14 AM 10/31/2009, 1987 wrote:
>
>> Found this at Ask A Scientist.
>> http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem03/chem03003.htm
>>
>> Question -   Is glycerine a good rubber protectant?
>> Vince Calder & ProfHoff didn't have much good to say about glycerin as a
>> protectant.
>>
>> YMMV
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>> On 25-Oct-09 16:11 Roger VanTill sent the following:
>>
>>> Hmmmm.....the Zymol Seal contains mostly glycerin.
>>> Nice tip, John.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 11:46 AM, John Meeks <vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>  On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 8:45 AM, Michael Sullivan <
>>>> sandwichhead@gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> Good morning, Volks.  Looking for a recommendation on what to use to
>>>>>
>>>> revive
>>>>
>>>>> the seals around dors and windows.  They are in good shape.  Something
>>>>> at
>>>>> Napa or a home remedy, please.  Gonna wax today.  Thanks.
>>>>> Michael in San Antonio
>>>>> 91GL AT 'Gringo'
>>>>> 73 Beetle
>>>>>
>>>> Michael,
>>>>
>>>> I use Glycerin thinned with water. You can get a bottle at the drug
>>>> store
>>>> for a buck or 3.  Rubber soaks it up. Keeps it pliable. It's not gonna
>>>> give
>>>> you that ArmorAll car show look, but it does help to seal in the natural
>>>> oils.
>>>>
>>>> John Meeks
>>>>
>>>