How to Maintain and When to Replace Them?
Rubber gaskets play a key role in protecting cars from harmful factors. They provide insulation and prevent moisture, dust, dirt, and other contaminants from entering the vehicle. Over time, gaskets can deteriorate due to weather conditions, temperature fluctuations, and general wear and tear, including the constant opening and closing of doors. Regular care and maintenance are extremely important in detecting signs of wear, cracks, and other damage.
The role of car gaskets
Checking and securing gaskets in vehicles is an investment that ensures they are durable and fulfill their role longer, such as:
Keeping the car interior dry
Rubber gaskets create a tight seal around windows, doors, sunroofs, and trunks, preventing water from entering the car's cabin. They also protect the car's electrical components. Moisture accumulating inside the vehicle can shorten the life of upholstery and carpets, and also cause problems such as mold and rust. Keeping the car interior dry is also extremely important when using a car wash.
Noise reduction
Well-maintained gaskets minimize vibrations and eliminate whistling air sounds from the outside. They create a tight barrier between individual parts of the car and between the vehicle's interior and the external environment.
Maintaining temperature inside the vehicle
Proper care of gaskets prevents air from entering from the outside and helps maintain a comfortable temperature during travel. Any leaks worsen the interior's insulation, causing the cabin to take longer to cool down or heat up, which in turn contributes to higher fuel consumption.
Why do rubber gaskets get damaged and how to prevent it?
The quality of rubber gaskets can deteriorate due to many external factors, including heat, sunlight, temperature fluctuations (sun rays in summer, negative temperatures in winter), or other environmental conditions. Rubber also degrades due to aggressive chemicals, which are used, for example, with every car wash.
Excessive heat shortens the molecular chains, causing the material to stretch after cooling. The gaskets become brittle and crack. In contrast, extreme cold makes them stiff and brittle, which in turn leads to cracks and leaks. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause hardening, crumbling, and cracking, and even fading of rubber elements. Oxygen causes rubber to lose its elasticity. This is a gradual process, but it can be accelerated by UV radiation and high temperatures. Each of these factors negatively affects the lifespan of the gaskets.
To take care of car gaskets, regular inspection and maintenance are sufficient, which prevents costly repairs and replacements.
Signs of wear on car gaskets
Here are the most common signs of wear on rubber gaskets:
- water entering the vehicle's interior
- moisture appearing around the windows
- vehicle corrosion
- unpleasant smell of mold after rainfall
- perceptible air whistles
- excessive noise
- accumulation of dirt (dirt gathers along the edges of doors, windows, trunk gaskets)
Maintenance of car gaskets is a way to revitalize them and restore them to an optimal condition. Unfortunately, some gaskets that have significantly degraded, are torn, and have large gaps must be replaced with new ones.
Maintenance of car gaskets - Why is it so important?
Gasket maintenance is essential for maintaining their integrity and functionality. Applying specialized silicone-based preparations (silicone spray) or technical petroleum jelly can provide an additional protective barrier against environmental factors.
It should be remembered that door, sunroof, window, and trunk gaskets are rubber elements that play a key role in ensuring comfort and safety. They have been specially designed to prevent water and contaminants from entering the cabin.
Why is it worth checking and caring for gaskets?
Worn and faulty gaskets can cause leaks, and thus:
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allow water to get inside, which can increase the risk of damage to electrical components and contribute to the growth of mold, e.g., on the upholstery
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reduce the effectiveness of the air conditioning, allowing cool air to escape
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increase road noise, thereby reducing driving comfort
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allow dirt to accumulate, obstructing the drainage channels
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in winter - cause frozen gaskets to prevent the car doors from opening
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reduce interior insulation and negatively affect the proper closing of doors or the trunk
These are just a few of the main reasons why you should take care of your gaskets' appearance.
How to properly care for gaskets?
At Power Rubber, we recommend proper cleaning and maintenance of gaskets. For regular cleaning, use a mild detergent, soapy water, or specialized agents. For rubber gaskets, remember to avoid using aggressive chemicals that can worsen their condition. Use a soft sponge or cloth to remove all dirt. After thoroughly cleaning the car gaskets and rinsing off soap residue, simply wipe them with a cloth and apply a suitable protective preparation, preferably silicone-based.
Why is it worth maintaining gaskets?
Damaged gaskets due to neglect or aging lose their effectiveness and water-tightness. A gasket maintenance agent nourishes them and also protects the rubber from drying out and cracking under the influence of weather conditions, including sunlight and positive and negative temperatures.
By spending a little time on the care and maintenance of gaskets, we ensure they retain their durability and functionality. Using simple-to-use protective preparations extends their lifespan. The gaskets regain their elasticity and beautiful black color.
Here are a few reasons why it's worth maintaining gaskets:
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preventing signs of wear, such as cracking, tearing, gaps
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the car is not exposed to moisture and fogging
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proper closing of doors and the trunk
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maintained window water-tightness
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proper interior insulation (the vehicle cools down or heats up quickly)
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lower fuel consumption
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reduced road noise
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proper sealing and safety of the entire car
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effective protection of gaskets against freezing
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saving money (gaskets have a longer lifespan)
How to protect car gaskets for the winter?
Extreme weather conditions can expose rubber gaskets to serious damage (tearing, cracking), which in turn can allow moisture from snow and rain to enter the cabin. If water collects around the gaskets, frost will cause them to freeze. Frozen gaskets can lead to difficulties in opening the doors and damage to the handle when trying to open them repeatedly.
Protecting gaskets from low temperatures and freezing
Low temperatures make rubber elements stiffer, more brittle, and susceptible to tearing and ripping. So what is an effective way to protect gaskets in winter?
As the winter season approaches, a natural action is to change the windshield washer fluid from summer to winter. When a door lock starts to freeze, you can use a special de-icer to thaw the door. So why not prevent the gaskets from freezing in advance?
An effective way to maintain the elasticity of rubber elements and protect them from low temperatures is to use a special silicone spray - a maintenance and care product that prevents the rubber from drying out and cracking, and protects it from crumbling, freezing, and sticking.
What to lubricate car gaskets with?
If you are wondering what to use to protect car gaskets, below we present the best methods:
Technical petroleum jelly
Technical petroleum jelly is a preparation with hydrophobic properties that effectively protects against moisture. It has the consistency of hard butter. It creates a protective layer that protects against drying, crumbling, cracking, discoloration, and also prevents rubber elements from freezing. During application, a thin layer of petroleum jelly should be massaged into the material and spread evenly over its surface.
Silicone for car gaskets
Silicone spray is a specialized preparation that has been developed to be ideal for the care and protection of rubber gaskets. The product is intended for lubricating, sealing, refreshing, and maintaining various types of surfaces. It reduces friction and prevents wear. It creates a protective barrier against external factors, has waterproof properties, protects metals from rust and corrosion, and withstands extreme temperatures. The preparation does not stick to the car body and does not stain it. Simply spray a thin layer of the product on the selected surface from a distance of 15-30 cm and let it dry. The operation can be repeated several times by applying thin layers of the preparation.
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