Lube for inserting sunroof seal

MrCostington

Hi, I'm replacing the front rubber sunroof seal on my W123, from reading about it it seems it will be difficult job to get the seal into it's housing channel.

It will need lube to ease the process, some have recommended soapy water and others Silicone Spray Lubricant, like this:

https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/lubricating-and-penetrating-oil/621277.html

I'm against the idea of using water as I feel trapping water behind the seal will lead to rust, so is silicone the way to go?

Hotblack Desiato

Depending on the type of rubber silicone might damage it. Red rubber grease (as used in brakes) should be safe on any type of rubber.

MrCostington

Thanks. Where might I get that today or tomorrow, Halfords don't seem to have it.

How would I know what type of rubber I have. The seal came with the car, and appears to be an OEM Mercedes part, has the logo and same part number as the one I removed. It's a 1983 car.

Hotblack Desiato

You can get a 500g tub of it in Southside Motor Factors for a tenner. Enough to last most people several lifetimes!

I tried using silicone grease on the brake seals of a bike of mine once, it destroyed the seals Bikers swear by the RRG on brakes and classic car enthusiasts are fond of it too.

http://redrubbergrease.com/

Now I can't 100% say for cetain that RRG is suitable for your application, but it is compatible with natural rubber and a wide range of synthetic rubbers.

If you can collect (Dublin 22) I can give you a wee bit for free! PM me.

MrCostington

Hello,

Many thanks for your kind offer.

Something came up so it looks like I won't have time to do it tomorrow, so will have to wait till next weekend so I'll try to get some during the week. I'm on the northside so will try local places first.

Hope you did not run out of brakes on you bike!!

biko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAllpDbcccU

Hotblack Desiato

MrCostington wrote: »

Hope you did not run out of brakes on you bike!!

No, that bike got parked up due to other issues before the brakes deteriorated, the distinct lack of brakes was noticed when pushing it around my back yard a couple of years later. I couldn't bear to part with it (definitely a modern classic) but I haven't got around to restoring it either...