TLC for Turbo Tail?

Hi all,
I just acquired a used Turbo tail last night. It has been hanging in this guy's garage for the past ten(10) years. The turbo lip(rubber) looks a bit dead, so can anyone suggest what is the best thing to use on the rubber to bring it back to life? Also what should I do to keep it that way? I heard that Armor All can actually make rubber crack...has anyone else heard about this? Thanks.

Jeff
1976 911S

you are correct sir, armor all is the absolute worst thing you can put on anything, especially if you live in warmer climates...you may have to buy a new rubber lip, first try "Black Chrome," you may need two bottles...good luck!

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-jeff 84 carrera cab.




[This message has been edited by jeff bryant (edited 03-15-2000).]

Before you do anything to try to revive or protect whatever life is left of that rubber lip, I suggest SEVERAL cleanings, the whole area, repeatedly alternating between Windex glass cleaner, water, Armour-All Cleaner (NOT the Protectant) and water ... the cleaners should be 'worked-in' with a 'worn' toothbrush and the water should be rubbed over with shop rags or towels ... until no more carbon black is transfered to rag or towel when rubbed wet vigorously. You should let the cleaners sit for five minutes after each 'toothbrushing' and water rinse/rubbing. Once the surface deterioration has been cleaned away ... you may be surprised at how nice the clean, dry rubber looks! I don't think the thorough cleaning is something that can be done in less than a couple of hours, though!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Hi,

I have a UK 81 Sport model with the elastomer whale tail. Any suggestions on keeping it looking good, or do I follow the above recommendation too?

cheers

Neil

Warren,
I have done exactly as you said, brushing with window cleaner(not Windex...don't have any of that at home, used an Amway substitute) and rubbing with water. I don't have Armor all cleaner at home...is this cleaner better? At first a lot of black water dripped off, as I kept cleaning, it got cleaner and cleaner. I cleaned it for an hour, and will continue tomorrow after midterms...looks pretty good so far. Right now all that shows up on the towel is this light gray tint. What do I have to do to protect the rubber afterwards? How's the "Black Chrome" suggested by Jeff(by the way, thanks for the suggestion)? Any recommendations? Thanks,

Jeff
1976 911S

I've been using 303 Protectant, it works really good, and doesn't wear away, like other products. It also doesn't leave rubber dull after any length of time. I've heard that you can also try shoe polish. Good Luck

jeff-

go to the 911 tech section and read the following offering: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/concours_corner/concours_corner-2.htm
i used to use other products and after reading this article, i'm a solid proponent of black chrome. good luck!




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-jeff 84 carrera cab.

I'm sure our friends at 'Wurth Products' have a few options for cleaning and/or refinishing the rubber portion of your rear spoiler. Check them out. Good Luck.

Rich

After reading that concours article, I'm probably going to give black chrome a try. When I go to the auto parts store I'll look for both Black Chrome and the 303 Protectant...see what the store recommends...maybe I'll try both, too. I went to the Wurth website (http://www.wurth.com) and their website doesn't tell me too much. I'd have to request product info from them. Either way, thanks to everyone who contributed their suggestions. Thanks!

Jeff
1976 911S

TH reason Armor All doesn't work is because it's water based. Upon evapration it actually dries out the rubber. I'm not sure what "Black Chrome" is, but any SILICONE based protector will last longer and actually soak into the rubber and help keep it together much longer...

I guess since Armor All is that bad...I should stop using it on my dash, right? Should I use the same protectants on the rubber lip and my dash? Thanks,

Jeff
1976 911S

Defintely do not use Armorall on ANYTHING... I've never seen scientific evidence to prove everyones theory (including mine) that it's bad, but it only lasts a few days and isn't really worth the risk..... If you must use something, use a silicone based protectant.

Keep in mind though, that this leaves a film, I use nothing but leather treater on the inside of my car.

Try just a wet rag, works best!

Anyone know where I can get Black Chrome? I've been searching for it all over the place and no one seems to carry it. Please let me know! Thanks!

Jeff
1976 911S

i buy the stuff at o'reilly auto parts....and i think i saw it at autozone....i'll go home for lunch and look for a phone number off the bottle.
-jeff

[This message has been edited by jeff bryant (edited 03-28-2000).]

[This message has been edited by jeff bryant (edited 03-29-2000).]

Hi all;
This is an interesting topic, I talked to a couple people I know in the car care business, They ALL agree that Armour All is not a good option, and not to use it!

A few of them also said they use BABY OIL on rubber and vinyl to keep it fresh. Has anyone else tried this or heard this? It sounds good in principle as they were explaining it.

I've heard that petroleum jelly works good on certain stuff, and that glycerine is a good moisturizer. I used the Black Chrome stuff and it seems to work well.

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate it. Here in Hawaii we don't have a big store like Autozone...although I should go check Checker's Auto parts. All the stores that I have been to don't have it.

Davis, that's interesting...baby oil? During military training there have been people using baby oil to help their boots keep their shine, but whether or not it works on rubber and vinyl, I don't know.

Superman, whether or not petroleum jelly or glycerine works, I don't know. Has anyone tried these products? Thanks all for responding.

Jeff
1976 911S

Davis911s, I use baby oil on mine and it works very good. It keeps the rubber black and shiny, and last long, and also, the best part, is water repelent.
I even use it in the dash and leather seats, but here u have to use a clean dry cloth to wipe the excess, after the oil soaks it. The dash stays very shiny, real cool.

you know all this talk about keeping the rubber trim on the rear spoiler looking new has me contimplating wheter or not to even buy one with the rubber lip (oem), or go with an aftermarket spoiler w/o the rubber or even the "carrera r.s. american spoiler." does anyone out there have any thoughts on the pros and cons of either type other than the cosmetic apperance, and the obvious reason for why the rubber was first used? (the rubber was to protect the spoiler/tail when pushing the car using the spoiler/tail, i don't push mine, so why do i need the rubber)? thanks.
-jeff

My 89 has a factory whale tail and you would be hard pressed to tell if it isn't brand new. The previous owners of the car, (I've had it for over a year) obviously took good care. From the look of the paint and other trim parts the car has always been garaged and that is the key issue. If you car is always going to be outside in the sun, the UV is going to age the rubber trim. If not, you should have no problems keeping the OE trim new indefinetly.