Tips for cleaning window seals

[BeardyJon]

The seals on the windows on my car are clearly quite dirty and seemingly won’t clean up no matter what I try. It’s really annoying me cos whenever I wind the windows down, when I put them back up the seals leave dirty streaks the whole way up the glass so the windows are never clean.

Anyone got any solid tips for getting them clean?

 

[Chris_D]

For a number of years I've been using something called 'Platenclene' to clean and rejuvenate the pinch rollers of my tape deck collection.
It renews the rubber by opening up the microscopic pores and returning the elastic properties of the rubber.

I started using it on other rubber/*insert material here* interfaces with good results, including sticky window seals.
Give it a whirl.

https://www.af-net.com/products/search-product-detail/pcl100-platenclene/

Meguiars 'Rubber renew' is basically the same composition but much more expensive.

 

[BeardyJon]

Will this work on the felty sides of the seals? (The sides that contact the window glass)

 

[Chris_D]

I would advise to use it only on rubber as intended.
I assumed you meant the rubber surround of the hood, not the strip that runs parralel to the top of the door.

 

[Thrustyjust]

I just used a small tooth brush after soaking in soapy water ( washing up liquid) , but you could use an APC , then an old microfiber towel on a plastic spatula type thing ( well was an Araldite mixing thing) and run it backwards and forwards and washed out a few times. Came out like sludge and now doesn't streak the windows or look green in the seals

 

[patriot66]

When I bought my Z4 the window seals were a mess, full of algae and grit. I removed them, cleaned them and carefully refitted. Soak everything in hot, soapy water and clean with a small detailing/paint brush and old tooth brush. Not a difficult task but care must be taken not to break any clips etc. Use only plastic trim removal tools and plenty of soft cloths to avoid paint damage. You'll be amazed how mucky everything is
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e85-z4-2.5i-roa/repair-manuals/51-body-equipment/51-33-power-windows-electrical-operation-front/GAgc73O

 

[Ewazix]

For a number of years I've been using something called 'Platenclene' to clean and rejuvenate the pinch rollers of my tape deck collection.
It renews the rubber by opening up the microscopic pores and returning the elastic properties of the rubber.

I started using it on other rubber/*insert material here* interfaces with good results, including sticky window seals.
Give it a whirl.

https://www.af-net.com/products/search-product-detail/pcl100-platenclene/

Meguiars 'Rubber renew' is basically the same composition but much more expensive.

I've ordered some as a couple of my cars have the streaky thing going on

I guess it might work on wiper blades as well?

 

[Chris_D]

For a number of years I've been using something called 'Platenclene' to clean and rejuvenate the pinch rollers of my tape deck collection.
It renews the rubber by opening up the microscopic pores and returning the elastic properties of the rubber.

I started using it on other rubber/*insert material here* interfaces with good results, including sticky window seals.
Give it a whirl.

https://www.af-net.com/products/search-product-detail/pcl100-platenclene/

Meguiars 'Rubber renew' is basically the same composition but much more expensive.

I've ordered some as a couple of my cars have the streaky thing going on

I guess it might work on wiper blades as well?

Yes, can prolong the life of wiper blades. I give a quick squirt and wipe during every car wash.
Useful for bringing back the porosity and elasticity of anything made of rubber compound.