Slide Out Seal / Lubricant

DD716TED wrote:
The rubber slide wiper seal that is mounted to the wall of my trailer has become extremely dry in some areas and when extending the slide, grabs at the slide wall/frame like a tennis shoe on a gym floor.. sticking... what can I use to lubricate this inner seal.. I use slide seal preservative on the outter wiper seal but is just conditions the rubber and is not a lubricant.. Will silicone hurt the rubber...What should I use??

I wash and dry the seals, then wipe on baby powder. Use the talc version, not the corn starch.

Silicone is fine.

What happens to baby powder if it gets wet at it will when slide is retracted?

I found Protectall works pretty good, or 303 Protectant, either product is good.

GottaRunGottaCamp wrote:
I found Protectall works pretty good, or 303 Protectant, either product is good.

X2. The 303 is good for any rubber product.

rskrbina wrote:

GottaRunGottaCamp wrote:
I found Protectall works pretty good, or 303 Protectant, either product is good.

X2. The 303 is good for any rubber product.

And about half the price of the one shown here on Amazon

Was looking on the label of some aerosol cans of wiper/rubber lubricants. Said the contents was Mineral Oil. When my can is empty I will buy some Mineral Oil and use a spray bottle. I believe the spray bottle will do a better job of spreading into the correct area than an aerosol can.

I have applied common auto brake fluid to rubber automobile seals and gaskets for years and never found a down side. Helps keep them soft and pliable. Can't imagine that slide gaskets wouldn't like it, as well.

When I picked up my new trailer a week ago, the salesman that was helping with the PDI, said to use Pam cooking spray. I am not sure if I trust his advise.

Mineral oil is a petroleum byproduct and will cause rubber to swell like brake fluid will do. The brake fluid will dissolve any paint that it comes in contact with. Pam is an oily material that will attract lots of dust and little bits of grit.

I would use a dry silicone spray that will not react with the rubber in the seals and not attract dirt and grit. 303 Protectant should also work. Armorall I think is also a petroleum product.

Is it possible someone has already lubed the seals with a petroleum based lube and causing the seals to swell and make noise?