port gasket treatment

[Ann and David Brownlee]

We've read through the old strings on the subject of treating the neoprene gaskets on Spartan ports. Ours are a bit dry, but we have no major leaks, so we're not going to replace them just now. But the advice on treatments varies widely:

1. teflon grease
2. silicon grease (said to be recommended by Spartan)
3. petroleum lubricant (WD40, 3-in-1, light machine oil)
4. talc
5. carnuba wax

What's the latest wisdom on this?

Ann and David Brownlee
CD31 #1 Windrush
Havre de Grace, MD



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu

[Boyd]

I have used heavy silicone oil commonly sold in autoparts stores as "Tire Black" Its clear and a tiny amount is all thats needed. I clean the gaskets with windex or a soapy sponge well first and let them dry. I have found that keeping the glass clean helps prevent leaks also. I have used this stuff for 3 years with no negitive consequences.

Boyd

We've read through the old strings on the subject of treating the neoprene gaskets on Spartan ports. Ours are a bit dry, but we have no major leaks, so we're not going to replace them just now. But the advice on treatments varies widely:

1. teflon grease
2. silicon grease (said to be recommended by Spartan)
3. petroleum lubricant (WD40, 3-in-1, light machine oil)
4. talc
5. carnuba wax

What's the latest wisdom on this?

Ann and David Brownlee
CD31 #1 Windrush
Havre de Grace, MD

Tern30@aol.com

[John R.]

We've read through the old strings on the subject of treating the neoprene gaskets on Spartan ports. Ours are a bit dry, but we have no major leaks, so we're not going to replace them just now. But the advice on treatments varies widely:

1. teflon grease
2. silicon grease (said to be recommended by Spartan)
3. petroleum lubricant (WD40, 3-in-1, light machine oil)
4. talc
5. carnuba wax

What's the latest wisdom on this?

Ann and David Brownlee
CD31 #1 Windrush
Havre de Grace, MD

Most all weatherstrip when new has a talc of some type on it's surface. 303 protectant would be my second choice. I would not use an y oil based products like WD40 (kerosene) or the grease type compounds because they stay greasy and attract dirt. Caranuba wax may be good also, never tried it.

[David B. Brownlee]

Dear John,
What is 303 protectant, and where does one buy it?
David

============================

Most all weatherstrip when new has a talc of some type on it's surface. 303 protectant would be my second choice. I would not use an y oil based products like WD40 (kerosene) or the grease type compounds because they stay greasy and attract dirt. Caranuba wax may be good also, never tried it.

dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Captain and 1st. Mate Brownlee,

A product I use on my truck tires, Black Magic Tier Black, available at WalMart, is almost pure silicon. It will I think wet up your gaskets and solve the problem. Put a little on a rag and wipe down the gaskets. Should do it...let me know how it works...

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
CDSOA "1"

[John R.]

Dear John,
What is 303 protectant, and where does one buy it?
David

============================

Most all weatherstrip when new has a talc of some type on it's surface. 303 protectant would be my second choice. I would not use an y oil based products like WD40 (kerosene) or the grease type compounds because they stay greasy and attract dirt. Caranuba wax may be good also, never tried it.

David,
It is a special formulation of some type, can't give you anymore inside to it's chemical make up then that. It is obtainable at west marine, Boat U.S, Boaters world and most small ship stores. It can be found in auto stores like Pep Boys etc. It gets fantastic reviews from various organizations that test products. I use it on lots of rubber and vinyl stuff from the cars to the boat. It holds up well here in Florida under our strong UV, doesn't cause rubber to deteriorate over time like so many other products do. It isn't cheap.

[Ken Coit]

The link below will lead you to the manufacturer's info on 303 Aerospace Protectant. I used another product that has been mentioned, "Black Magic Tire Wet," on my 1979 Grady White's black vinyl rub rail last night and it looks pretty good compared with all the other things I have tried over the years. Maybe there is a bottle of 303 in my future too. Black Magic is less than $5 for 14+ oz. in a spray can.

Ken
CD/36 Parfait
Raleigh, NC

Dear John,
What is 303 protectant, and where does one buy it?
David

============================

Most all weatherstrip when new has a talc of some type on it's surface. 303 protectant would be my second choice. I would not use an y oil based products like WD40 (kerosene) or the grease type compounds because they stay greasy and attract dirt. Caranuba wax may be good also, never tried it.

David,
It is a special formulation of some type, can't give you anymore inside to it's chemical make up then that. It is obtainable at west marine, Boat U.S, Boaters world and most small ship stores. It can be found in auto stores like Pep Boys etc. It gets fantastic reviews from various organizations that test products. I use it on lots of rubber and vinyl stuff from the cars to the boat. It holds up well here in Florida under our strong UV, doesn't cause rubber to deteriorate over time like so many other products do. It isn't cheap.

parfait@nc.rr.com

[David Brownlee]

For what it's worth: a helpful, seemingly knowledgeable staffer at Pep Boys recommended against using tire black silicon dressing for gaskets. He said that the material eventually crystalized and seemed to damage the rubber. It was typically used, he said, to prep a car for sale! Instead, he recommended fan belt dressing. I bought some, and I'll try it on one port now that the rain seems to have stopped.

David Brownlee
CD31 #1 Windrush
Havre de Grace, MD




dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu