Hmm, rubber.

[GarbageOverlord]

Now, of the list of things to do, treating the door seals isn't high on anyone's list.

But given that they are 25 years old, many of them are very hard and dry, with the window ones particularly looking as if the car had just been dragged from a field. Which perhaps it has.

Given that the weather strip surrounding on the rear doors is damaged in a couple of places (I have a cunning plan to repair that, but that's for another time) and that each seal is more than I paid for the car (if you can find them) I decided to make use of the dry weather, and treat them with something I used on the seals of a convertible Renault Megane I had a while back.

It's called Gummi Pflege. Yes really. No vulgar language here please... Apparently it softens and conditions rubber. Does it work and will it do any good? Well I have to say that it noticeable reduced rattling from the Renault's hardtop when it was closed, so it must do something. Thus it can't do any harm to the Mercedes, can it?

I used an artist's brush and applied several coats in some places to all the door seals and window channel rubbers, which soaked up a lot. It certainly makes a big difference to the appearance of the seals, and is a little detail which makes a significant difference to the overall look of the car.

Time will tell if it helps the seals to er...seal better.

The picture isn't very clear but you get the idea.

IMG 20230710 145619 001 — Postimages

postimg.cc

 

[Blobcat]

Now, of the list of things to do, treating the door seals isn't high on anyone's list.

But given that they are 25 years old, many of them are very hard and dry, with the window ones particularly looking as if the car had just been dragged from a field. Which perhaps it has.

Given that the weather strip surrounding on the rear doors is damaged in a couple of places (I have a cunning plan to repair that, but that's for another time) and that each seal is more than I paid for the car (if you can find them) I decided to make use of the dry weather, and treat them with something I used on the seals of a convertible Renault Megane I had a while back.

It's called Gummi Pflege. Yes really. No vulgar language here please... Apparently it softens and conditions rubber. Does it work and will it do any good? Well I have to say that it noticeable reduced rattling from the Renault's hardtop when it was closed, so it must do something. Thus it can't do any harm to the Mercedes, can it?

I used an artist's brush and applied several coats in some places to all the door seals and window channel rubbers, which soaked up a lot. It certainly makes a big difference to the appearance of the seals, and is a little detail which makes a significant difference to the overall look of the car.

Time will tell if it helps the seals to er...seal better.

The picture isn't very clear but you get the idea.

IMG 20230710 145619 001 — Postimages

postimg.cc

All of us with convertibubble Mercedes’s’s use
Gummi Pflege regularly - Mick’s Garage is my regular supplier

 

[C16RKC]

Sounds like a good product, I'll have to buy some and give it a try on all my door/boot seals!

 

[Chrishazle]

That's also where I get mine Russ, via his Ebay listings for 2 sticks rather than 1, been using it since I bought the 968 cab 12 years ago so also started using it on the S204 and now the SLK. Krytox is supposed to be "better" (it's what BMW recommended for the notoriously leaky roof seals on the Eos) but is 4 times the price!

 

[GarbageOverlord]

Dunno why the picture is upsidedown, better not do that too often in case more rust falls out...

 

[Blobcat]

Dunno why the picture is upsidedown, better not do that too often in case more rust falls out...

You can post pictures direct into the forum as full size or thumbnails.

 

[GarbageOverlord]

Here's another picture, where the stuff has been applied to both the door weather strip, and the mirror housing rubber. You can see how much fresher the rubber looks.

IMG 20230710 160507 520 — Postimages

postimg.cc

 

[GarbageOverlord]

You can post pictures direct into the forum as full size or thumbnails.

Hmm, I tried that unsuccessfully previously. I'll try again.

 

[Blobcat]

Hmm, I tried that unsuccessfully previously. I'll try again.

If they’re too big the forum does complain… I screenshot the pics on my phone then add them directly.

 

[Dean Fletcher]

All of us with convertibubble Mercedes’s’s use
Gummi Pflege regularly - Mick’s Garage is my regular supplier

I have yet to hit that stage in life where I need a soft top

 

[Larkone]

Wife has a metal roof convertible BMW - would not be without Gummi Pflege as a complete set of roof seals is around £1400 to replace

 

[GarbageOverlord]

I have yet to hit that stage in life where I need a soft top

Give in to it!

Mine was miserable in the winter because it leaked terribly but all was forgiven when the roof went down. Even though it was a dreadful Renault, top down driving was amazingly glamorous and enjoyable.

Except for the dreadful scuttle shake. And the rattles. And the leaks. But apart from that...

 

[Srdl]

(it's what BMW recommended for the notoriously leaky roof seals on the Eos)

BMW? Eos?

 

[SL63 Mark]

Yes, I have used gummy Pfledge for years on my MB convertibles. It seems to do the job. Plenty use it on here. Other products are available. I first heard about it on here. Some people use Kryptox.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Give in to it!

Mine was miserable in the winter because it leaked terribly but all was forgiven when the roof went down. Even though it was a dreadful Renault, top down driving was amazingly glamorous and enjoyable.

Except for the dreadful scuttle shake. And the rattles. And the leaks. But apart from that...

Of all the cars I have owned the only convertibles with zero body flex are the SL Mercedes. Something to do with all the body strengthening, and the enormous girders running lengthwise. That is why they are so heavy.

 

[Blobcat]

I have yet to hit that stage in life where I need a soft top

Mines still very hard…

 

[Chrishazle]

BMW? Eos?

Oops - should read VW, but researching softop seals was 12 years ago, and as those of us of or older than a certain age know only too well, with advancing age the second thing that goes is the memory.



Wish I could remember what the first is!

 

[s5tuart]

Funnily enough my SL will be getting a few globs of Gummi Phlege tomorrow after cleaning the rubbers with Isopropyl first.

 

[fabes]

I did my (I mean the car's) rubber seals on the weekend when I had half an hour to throw a bucket of water over it - Devon this weekend in both cars so no point doing more.

Had Mick's GF since the Saab, way back when. ...

 

[rorywquin]

Yes, I have used gummy Pfledge for years on my MB convertibles. It seems to do the job. Plenty use it on here. Other products are available. I first heard about it on here. Some people use Kryptox.

Krytox GPL 105. It is what the car manufcturers use. If you find it for under £40 (tiny bottle) it is a knockoff. I used Gummi for several years on my SLK but found that rubber passing rubber was very grippy, it seemed to collect dust and had to be renewed anually after properly cleaning the the dried out Gummi and dirt off the rubber.

I switched to Krytox and only applied it once in the last 4 years I had my SL.