cleaning pop-top rubber seal

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

cleaning pop-top rubber seal

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Try rinsing in white vinigar . Then some tyre shine when clean ?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

They also get harder over time and become less effective.
I replaced ours recently, they were 12 years old. Cost under $4 per metre. There are just 2 common sections, get the correct one for your van.

Cheers,
Peter

TheHeaths · Guru

I work at Whitworth's (Marine accessories), and we have a range of very good cleaners that should do the job for you.

Anything made by 3M or Starbrite will work and bring the vinyl/plastic/rubber seals up nice and clean in my opinion.

Depending where you are, there are stores in each capital city except Darwin, Newcastle, Cairns, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

I have used the products by both of these manufacturers and they do what they say. Look on the Whitworth's website at either vinyl or fender/inflatable boat cleaners.

CC Bear · Senior Member

Whitworth marines are had Kawana waters, Nicklen Way Sunshine Coast.

Desert Dweller · Guru

Cleaned ours not too long ago with Nifty from any supermarket, came up like new. I then sprayed Inox on a rag & wiped it over. The seal is not really rubber it's a sort of squashable plastic tubing. Went right around every side, easy job.

Ours was so gunky that we couldn't pop the rear section of the roof. I had to stand on the rear double bed & heave hoe until it came unstuck.

macka17 · Guru

As said above.
EVERYTHING has a lifespan.
if it much more than 10 yrs old. Change it.
For maintenance and leak proofing sake alone.
Nothing lasts forever. (Look in the mirror and think back 10 yrs)
Same thing hey.

Otherwise Most proprietary commercial cleaners should do the job.
It's basically friction on each other. with dirt and grit ground in as a paste.

dieseltojo · Senior Member

Hi Kev,

I just use truck wash when I get home and it does every thing without a problem. and then rinse it off to dry. I reckon the secret is to keep the ledge clean.

I use auto polish on the ledge and the rubber never sticks. My van is now 14 years old and no problem with the rubber at all. smile

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

Wow. What a response. Thank you one and all. Looks like I need to get busy. I do carefully wash the van, and the ledge, after each trip but obviously have not paid attention to the seal. Lots of good advice given to me here. Thanks again.

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

An update. I followed the advice and after trying white vinigar I went to Whitworth's Wooloongabba store and bought 3M Vinyl Cleaner and Restorer which happened to be on "special". Works really well. Only problem, wish I was 10 years younger as it did require some elbow grease in parts (because those parts were pretty badly in need of cleaning) while where protected under the rollout awning it was a breeze, and it did need doing. Thanks again.