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best way to clean dirt stained rubber?

Posted By: flypaper

best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 12:58 AM

i have some assorted oem rubber seals that are in great shape
except a few of them have some stains left over
after cleaning from being dirty for a while.
i cleaned them up with soap and water and the stains
are still there.
before i go a little more aggressive with some chemical
that would possibly ruin them
half the repo stuff i've seen looks like garbage
so i sort of want to try to save this stuff
and make it look nice.
i was wondering if anyone here has had any success with something like this?
Posted By: DaveRS23

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 02:50 AM

Try some tire bleach. And if all else fails, you can use some lacquer thinner. But be very careful with it. Then use some water soluble silicone for some shine and protection.
Posted By: floyd

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 03:56 AM

I will second the tire bleach suggestion
Posted By: mopargem

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 05:50 AM

WD40 works pretty good on door end seals and weatherstripping and won't hurt it.
Posted By: DeMopuar

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 06:04 AM

It looks like dirt, I bet it's rust imbedded in the rubber. I'd try Evapo-Rust -- it works really well on removing rust from metal and I've tried it on rubber and it works good on that. I wouldn't leave it for hours and hours though. Try it for an hour and see how it does. If it needs more you can just leave it in longer. It's a great rust remover.
Posted By: fuelishnsilly

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 07:23 AM

You can always try Meguiars #39 HD Vinyl cleaner followed up by #40 Rubber and Vinyl cleaner / conditoner. I've had amazing results using it on rubber and vinyl products getting them back to original condition.
Posted By: Grizzly

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 10:00 AM

Have heard the "gel" hand cleaner (without grit) works.
Posted By: 440farmer

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 12:12 PM

Used lacquer thinner/ totally Awesome on window weather strip for rust & paint on them. Takes a while be patient.
Posted By: 440farmer

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 12:21 PM

Oh let me be a little more clear- I used the TA full strength on the stains/paint then what it didn't get I used the lacquer thinner. It all came off but I didn't mix the two. Just had to keep at it -takes time- be patient.
Posted By: steve70

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 01:57 PM

I media blasted my rubber windshield washer foot pump and it look like new rubber. It was completely stained and crusty from dirt but now it looks like a new part.
Posted By: RoadRunner

Re: best way to clean dirt stained rubber? - 07/01/16 03:29 PM

I'll second the Evaporust. I used the PPG product, metal prep, on a rag and wiped some door end seals I had. After some gentle scrubbing the rubber looked like new. A quick rinse and some protectant and parts look like new.
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