Gray->Black Weather Seals How-To

[mhackney]

It seems that most of the new replacement weather seals are a dark gray color and not the nice black like the originals. After some experimentation and now a 12 month "endurance test" I have a solution to the gray seal conundrum.

I experimented with several rubber/tire rejuvenator products, first to see if they would blacken the new seals and second to see if they would last out in the wild. By far, one combination rose above the rest for both initial appearance and long-term (12 month) durability. Here's how:

Griot's Tire Rejuvenator is a gel-like, very black colorant. Apply it wearing disposable gloves and a rag. You can use a stiff bristled brush to work it into the ridges on door seals, etc. Apply a heavy coat then use a clean white rag to wipe all of it off. Use Q-tips to remove excess from between ridges. Allow this to "cure" overnight and the black will not rub off. The next day, treat the now-black rubber with nextzett Gummy Pflege Stift rubber care stick. A thin coat rubbed on and then polished off with a clean rag does the trick. I let this dry overnight before installing on the car.

The new gray weather seals I replaced on my 83 Cabriolet last June treated as above are still nice and black and supple a year later.

[Uwon]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing.
Johan