Protecting the Outer Seals on the T-Top
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 35
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Protecting the Outer Seals on the T-Top Hey all - can’t find anything on this, plenty on weatherstrips in general… but what do you use to seal/protect/keep black your external rubber around the t-top glass?
Not talking about the weatherstripping underneath the glass… I mean the stuff exposed to the elements all day long.
On my old ‘95 I used whatever tire shine I had, but I don’t know if that’s best. 303 or something silicone based in general? Tire shine? Don’t want to put something on it and it goes all chalky.
Not talking about the weatherstripping underneath the glass… I mean the stuff exposed to the elements all day long.
On my old ‘95 I used whatever tire shine I had, but I don’t know if that’s best. 303 or something silicone based in general? Tire shine? Don’t want to put something on it and it goes all chalky.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,651
Likes: 2,577
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
303 is what I've been using for about 20 years, for ALL of the plastic/vinyl/rubber trim inside and out including the area in question. I also use 303 on the little caps at each end of the metal T-bar between the tops. Those caps are more prone to fade and failure than the outer trim referenced in your post, so might as well treat them at the same time.
Thing about 303 Aerospace though, is that it's not much of a "restoration" product. When you use it on neglected/faded plastic and rubber pieces, it's only a marginal improvement and not long lasting. This is more of a maintenance product, something to use on good condition pieces to prevent them from needing restoration in the first place. A perfect example is the cowl panel that always fades to a light-ish gray on the 4th gens (more visible on the Pontiacs due to fender design); once the typical fade has occurred, 303 isn't going to bring it back to original color and finish. But continual use of 303 (just how often will depend on details of exposure) will prevent the problem before it happens.
Bottom line, 303 = excellent protectant, but poor for restoration.
Thing about 303 Aerospace though, is that it's not much of a "restoration" product. When you use it on neglected/faded plastic and rubber pieces, it's only a marginal improvement and not long lasting. This is more of a maintenance product, something to use on good condition pieces to prevent them from needing restoration in the first place. A perfect example is the cowl panel that always fades to a light-ish gray on the 4th gens (more visible on the Pontiacs due to fender design); once the typical fade has occurred, 303 isn't going to bring it back to original color and finish. But continual use of 303 (just how often will depend on details of exposure) will prevent the problem before it happens.
Bottom line, 303 = excellent protectant, but poor for restoration.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 35
Likes: 8
303 is what I've been using for about 20 years, for ALL of the plastic/vinyl/rubber trim inside and out including the area in question. I also use 303 on the little caps at each end of the metal T-bar between the tops. Those caps are more prone to fade and failure than the outer trim referenced in your post, so might as well treat them at the same time.
Thing about 303 Aerospace though, is that it's not much of a "restoration" product. When you use it on neglected/faded plastic and rubber pieces, it's only a marginal improvement and not long lasting. This is more of a maintenance product, something to use on good condition pieces to prevent them from needing restoration in the first place. A perfect example is the cowl panel that always fades to a light-ish gray on the 4th gens (more visible on the Pontiacs due to fender design); once the typical fade has occurred, 303 isn't going to bring it back to original color and finish. But continual use of 303 (just how often will depend on details of exposure) will prevent the problem before it happens.
Bottom line, 303 = excellent protectant, but poor for restoration.
Thing about 303 Aerospace though, is that it's not much of a "restoration" product. When you use it on neglected/faded plastic and rubber pieces, it's only a marginal improvement and not long lasting. This is more of a maintenance product, something to use on good condition pieces to prevent them from needing restoration in the first place. A perfect example is the cowl panel that always fades to a light-ish gray on the 4th gens (more visible on the Pontiacs due to fender design); once the typical fade has occurred, 303 isn't going to bring it back to original color and finish. But continual use of 303 (just how often will depend on details of exposure) will prevent the problem before it happens.
Bottom line, 303 = excellent protectant, but poor for restoration.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,651
Likes: 2,577
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Yeah, it used to be called "303 Aerospace" but now it's just called "303 Protectant". I know they have a bunch of other products now, but the one that says something like "ultimate UV protectant" is the one you want for this.
I'm in for this. My ttop pieces are in excellent condition however the middle bar is toast. Faded and spotty. Any ways to deal with that without painting? How would I remove that to paint it?
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