Frozen Doors

[GT450]

I live in the French Alps at 1200m above sea level. Most days my doors are frozen up, I think it’s the rubber seals sticking to the metal bodywork. I defrost the door locks with warm water but this is not enough, particularly for the side sliding door. Does anyone know if I could put something on the seals to prevent them freezing?

 

[Loz]

They are silicone rubber so spray them with some silicone spray. This should displace any moisture that is freezing up.

 

[GT450]

They are silicone rubber so spray them with some silicone spray. This should displace any moisture that is freezing up.

Ok thanks, I will give it a try.

 

[DrJuanKerr]

WD40 is a moisture displacer so see no reason why it wouldn't work. It certainly won't freeze "The Freezing point of WD-40 is -50 degree F"

 

[Loz]

WD40 is a moisture displacer so see no reason why it wouldn't work. It certainly won't freeze "The Freezing point of WD-40 is -50 degree F"

But oil is not good for silicone rubber or the paintwork..

 

[DrJuanKerr]

Taken direct from WD40 website
" WD40 can be used safely for removing bug stains and tree sap from car paint. It is safe to use on metal, rubber, wood and plastic. It can also be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyreneplastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40"

Vaseline [which is another petroleum product] degrades rubber. I know from previous experience in an old Mk1 Escort RS2000.

 

[Ethel's dad]

WD40 is a moisture displacer so see no reason why it wouldn't work. It certainly won't freeze "The Freezing point of WD-40 is -50 degree F"

WD 40 will leave a oily residue to get on your clothes and collect dust, dirt etc. far better to do as Loz says and use a pure silicone spray. I think WD do one but there is a 3in1 version.

 

[jts46]

I also use silicone spray. Have you tried switching heater on with remote to warm inside of van up?

 

[owen_h]

The brilliantly named Gummi Pflege is what I was recommended and have used for years. Also use it on the rubber lifting roof seal.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007TNOQDI/?tag=eliteelect-21

Owen


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Andy]

The brilliantly named Gummi Pflege is what I was recommended and have used for years. Also use it on the rubber lifting roof seal.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007TNOQDI/?tag=eliteelect-21

Owen


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes excellent stuff. Use it on frameless windows on my smart.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[B J G]

VW do a Special lubricant which was primarily for the Eos with all its rubber seals on the folding top. it really does an excellent job on keeping the rubber soft and flexible, should also help with water adhesion, ice forming and sticking.
Vw part no G 052 172 A1 a 30ml bottle but you use hardly any on one treatment.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...h=item3b0f97f6bd:g:onEAAOSwBSxbEqo0:rk:1:pf:0

 

[GT450]

I also use silicone spray. Have you tried switching heater on with remote to warm inside of van up?

No, I didn’t think of that! Great idea.

 

[GT450]

Thanks for all the tips. I have some silicone spray so I will try that together with the internal heater. Hopefully that will sort me for the winter!

 

[Borris]

Does activating the parking heater half an hour prior to use not help?

 

[GT450]

Does activating the parking heater half an hour prior to use not help?

Probably, but I’ve not tried it yet.

 

[bvddobb]

Thanks for all the tips. I have some silicone spray so I will try that together with the internal heater. Hopefully that will sort me for the winter!

It will! Direct experience from Sweden, right now...

 

[GreggB]

VW do a Special lubricant which was primarily for the Eos with all its rubber seals on the folding top. it really does an excellent job on keeping the rubber soft and flexible, should also help with water adhesion, ice forming and sticking.
Vw part no G 052 172 A1 a 30ml bottle but you use hardly any on one treatment.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...h=item3b0f97f6bd:g:onEAAOSwBSxbEqo0:rk:1:pf:0

Used something similar when I worked in a Peugeot dealer on 206 and 307 CC’s. Thick silicone grease in a squeezy tube from a company called Kent, was great for stopping the squeaks and creaks from the roof seals and probably cheaper than that VW stuff.

 

[B J G]

Used something similar when I worked in a Peugeot dealer on 206 and 307 CC’s. Thick silicone grease in a squeezy tube from a company called Kent, was great for stopping the squeaks and creaks from the roof seals and probably cheaper than that VW stuff.

Not a grease more of an oil consistency. Has made in USA on the label and probably more like this item on EBAY, USA. -- PFPE oil.
Does the same job but no residue for dirt to stick to.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MICROLUB...h=item3f9d08189e:g:~3IAAOSwBahVKIJB:rk:9:pf:0

 

[Jabberwocky]

I also use silicone spray. Have you tried switching heater on with remote to warm inside of van up?

Nice tip!

 

[PeteS]

VW also do a winter pack that includes a de icer, scraper and a liquid to protect the seals and prevent the doors from freezing closed.
It is not available in the UK but I brought some off of eBay. The Rubber protector goes a long way. There is someone selling it on eBay at the moment for £7.50. Note that the one advertised states that it is tyre protector but it is the stuff for the door rubbers

 

[B J G]

Thetford seal lubricant may also be effective.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seal-Lub...=item362eb756bc:g:Dl8AAOSwxMRboZWP:rk:13:pf:0

 

[Perfectos]

I live in the French Alps at 1200m above sea level. Most days my doors are frozen up, I think it’s the rubber seals sticking to the metal bodywork. I defrost the door locks with warm water but this is not enough, particularly for the side sliding door. Does anyone know if I could put something on the seals to prevent them freezing?

Hi GT450 a new silicone impregnated sponge such as “kiwi Express shine” may help, the type used for polishing shoes (without colour) will apply a smear of the clear silicone to the seal and is really easy to apply, it will add a lustre to any rubber or plastic surface without attracting dirt, can be used for detailing internally and externally. Can be used to revive tired slooking side step ( Don’t use it on floor mats, pedals or steering wheel though).