Seal installation help

[ack_tm]

Installing new seals, wondering what sort of lubrication would be good to use to assist with getting the seals in place. They are quite tough to slide on in some places.

Hoping for something more effective than dish soap or WD40.

Andrew

[JRust]

I used hairspray on mine. Sounds dumb I know but they slid in pretty well. By using hair spray they were set in place a little better. Mine don't move around on me. Also when taking them out they are'nt exactly glued in. Don't know if that was the way to go but it's working great for me. Good luck

[bowlsby]

hairspray..you're joking right? Hairspray is a light adhesive.
\
Try a soapy water solution as a lubricant that won't degrade the seals.

[JRust]

Hey I said it was probably dumb. I'm definately no genious. It does take a minute before it becomes adhesive. There is plenty of time to get the seal in place. As far as degrading the seal never thought of that. I got the Idea from my motorcycle. That is kinda the standard for replacing grips up here
(dirt bikes anyway). So just chalk that up to another idea nobody will ever use

[BenI]

I used silicon grease for my tough seals. It preserves rubber too. Ive heard Armorall works as well.

[Va914]

JRust, I have also used the hairspray method on installing grips. It does stay wet long enough to get the grip on the bars. No reason why it wouldn't work in seals.

Good idea!

[JmuRiz]

I've had good luck w/ the soapy water method, like bowlsby said...on everything from handle grips to targa seals.

Nathan

PS: some of them can still be a bear to get on (the side targa seals, kept wanting to pop out till i got the hang of it)

[sammyg2]

We used to use shaving cream on grips. It lubricated well until it dried out, then it stuck good. I don't know it would do with seals. It does have alcohol in it.

[rdvnac]

I wouldn't recommend Armor All or anything else with raw silicone in it--not the greatest stuff for seal longevity or consistency.

Glycerin, or glycerin-based soap, would work well to help slide the seals into place. If you want an official glycerin-based lubricant/preservative just for rubber seals and trim, BMW sells a product in a tube called gummiphlege (sp?) that is excellent.

After I used it on my 914, it was like somebody had turned off the "squeaky" switch. ;-)

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

A second on the glycerine. Glycerine is recommended for helping to preserve rubber. Silicone, unless continually re-applied, will destroy rubber.

--DD

[pbanders]

I use liquid dish soap, works fine and rinses easily. Another great tool for installing seals is a plastic bicycle tire lever. It has a flat, blunt smooth blade with a little hook in it that is perfect for sliding along the seal edge and seating it in the channel, without damaging the seal.

[ack_tm]

Thanks, all.... seal installed.

[maf 914]

Can anyone suggest some good glycerine products and where to get them. Pelican has a Zymol glycerine seal treatment, but it is a bit pricey. Bob mentioned a BMW product. Is this available only from BMW dealers? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike