Baby powder?

[Rondo]

OK, while surfing the net the other night I hit a site that told us to use baby powder on the slide gaskets. You put it on an old sock and work it into the cloth, then rub the sock on the slide gaskets both inside and out. After you've done this you take another dry cloth and wipe them down again to take any excess off the gaskets and the sides of the unit when they touch.
Anyone heard of this?

[Crossthread]

Rondo, I saw that. I haven't tried it tho. Darrell , at the service center, gave me a can of Heavy Duty Silicone Spray. It's a synthetic polymer lubricant and he said that it conditions the rubber. I think that the baby powder would help with the friction, but the silicone spray should be better for the rubber seals. Bill

[sreigle]

I'm curious about baby powder on the seals. I keep a small shaker of baby powder in the locker as putting baby powder on my hands makes the latex sewer gloves slide right on. I'm too cheap to buy the ones already lubricated. I'll be watching to see if anyone has tried baby powder. I wonder what happens when it gets wet?

[ols1932]

My dealer recommends baby powder. I've used it as well as the commercial "foam" type protection. Haven't had a problem or anything to compare it to. I had to have the seals replaced after 10 years of living in the rig.

Orv

[HOOK]

You Da man, Rondo! Think I'll try it!

[DonPd]

I did try the baby powder on my seals a couple of years ago. It is easy to apply and did appear to work as claimed.

Here is the link to the baby powder seal video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=X701hbSO_ko

[jimcol]

DonPd, thanks for providing the link. Jim

[GreatWhite]

yep, it's great for all the gaskets on the rv (and on your autos.. including bay doors, entrance doors, hoods, trunks, etc. In fact, when you buy some of the gasket products at auto parts stores or rv suppliers you'll see that film of powder on them. At least that's been my experience

[Rondo]

That's the video I saw Don! I guess I'll try it in a week or so since that will be making the maiden voyage for the 2013 season (if you don't count the snowbird adventure). I would think the baby powder would dry out the seals instead. That's what it's for on a baby isn't it? Only contact now with the powdering a behind is with the grandbaby! That keeps her dry and sliding around in the diaper anyway!

[Sierra 117]

I believe baby powder is essentially talcum powder. Back in the day they used to pack new inner tubes in a light coating of talc.

[Rondo]

Barry-- You're showing your age--- inner tubes what are they? LOL :>)

[Tom S.]

Don't they start crying if they get wet?

[steelpony5555]

Hmmmm what about rain?????

[BusyCarol]

Well...sounds interesting and no matter what at least your seals will smell 'baby fresh'!!! I will have to mention this to Keith to see what he thinks since he would be the one applying it.

[lostshakerofsalt]

Way back in the days of tubed tires the tubes had powder on them to minimize friction between the rubber surfaces. Should still work with any rubber contacting surfaces. Don't know about the rain issue when the powder gets wet though.

[kerry]

The best thing for your slide seals is silicone. Don't use the kind with any petroleum product in it. Use pure silicone spray. NAPA stores have it, and hardware stores have it, in spray cans. Saturate the rubber and let stand, do not wipe, let the rubber absorb the silicone. This will keep the seals pliable and help them keep their original shape.

[Trailer Trash 2]

When I was SCUBA diving in the 60's we used to use corn starch on our wet suites, (RUBBER) to slip them on a lot easier, no chemicals to worry about. I personally use a silicone spray on mine similar to Kerry's post

[sreigle]

When you spray silcone on your exernal slide seals, do you spray both sides (inner and outer) of the seals?

[kerry]

Saturate the seals on both sides and let it soak in, As the seals absorb the silicone they'll return to their original shape and regain their flexibility.