# Recommend a good rubber car parts protectant. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 9, 2018, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840 "2018-05-09T02:28:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/1 "2018-05-09T02:28:12Z")
My pickup, 2011, sits outside and the rubber around the windows is kind of grey and streaky looking. So I’m looking for a dressing or protective finish I can apply to make it look good again. Lots of products on the market and all claim to be the best. So tell me what the dopers are using. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/2 "2018-05-09T02:49:10Z")
When I had a car I cared about, I used “[Black Magic](https://www.blackmagicshine.com/interior-care/pro-shine-protectant/).” It worked well, but the shine doesn’t last all that long - a few months at most. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/3 "2018-05-09T02:54:01Z")
Is [Armor All](http://www.armorall.com/) no longer a thing? Just don’t put it on the tire tread. Sidewalls are OK. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/4 "2018-05-09T04:12:23Z")
I had used Armor All at one time, maybe 15 years ago, but was thinking there might be better on the market now. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/5 "2018-05-09T06:32:20Z")
Turtle Wax Wet’n Black Ultra Wet (Tire Shine)… Works on everything and even when it wears off it seems the first application made the rubber and even vinyl more supple. Been using it for 2 years so far, no ill effects just luster. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/6 "2018-05-09T11:14:53Z")
They’re all just basically a water-based silicone suspension, and only last a short time before needing reapplication. The only long-lasting cure would be to remove the trim, clean it well, and spray it with black paint for plastic trim. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/7 "2018-05-09T13:00:57Z")
I’m talking about the rubber molding around the windows for the most part, though the plastic mirror housings could also use some love. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/8 "2018-05-09T14:22:04Z")
An old-timer shade tree mechanic rubbed mink oil on the dried out rubber fittings on my car – looked good and stopped the squeaking from the sun roof. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/9 "2018-05-09T15:31:54Z")
I’ve had good luck with Mother’s Back to Black for keeping the trim on my 1985 vehicle looking nice. Here is Consumer Report’s article on [best trim restorers](https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2014/05/best-exterior-car-trim-cleaners/index.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/10 "2018-05-09T15:36:46Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Is [Armor All](http://www.armorall.com/) no longer a thing? > Just don’t put it on the tire tread. Sidewalls are OK. Armor All, you only put that stuff on the steering wheel once. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/11 "2018-05-09T15:47:49Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Armor All, you only put that stuff on the steering wheel once. And never on the pedals. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/12 "2018-05-09T16:33:09Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > And never on the pedals. I did something like that once, though it may have been another brand. I stepped on the brake and the rubber cover slid off the metal pedal along with my foot which I had to quickly reposition on the slippery metal thing. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/13 "2018-05-09T16:37:38Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > I’ve had good luck with Mother’s Back to Black for keeping the trim on my 1985 vehicle looking nice. Here is Consumer Report’s article on [best trim restorers](https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2014/05/best-exterior-car-trim-cleaners/index.htm). Interesting. I’m primarily interested in rubber right now but there are places with black plastic that could use some work. Top of the bed sides and windshield cowl. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/14 "2018-05-10T14:58:51Z")
I use Back to Back on both rubber and plastic trim, it works for both. If you specifically want a rubber conditioner instead of just making it look black again, that’s a whole 'nuther ballgame! ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/15 "2018-05-10T15:32:03Z")
silicone spray. It’s kept the weather seals on my doors and windows in good shape for the last 11 years on my car. ---
**Author:** ![johnod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dc4da7/32.png) [@johnod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnod)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/16 "2018-05-12T13:38:57Z")
Plain old simple Vaseline works wonders, just rub it in. I tried many of the products made for this, and that’s what worked best. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/17 "2018-05-14T05:45:59Z")
I’m looking for more of [the old Black Magic](https://i.imgur.com/mOS3FHx.jpg)…it’s just the silicone undiluted. Pretty sure dad purchased this in the States and brought me some back as well, but this was at least 20 years ago. From my photo, I only have 3-4 years worth left. Best product for sure, maybe too good to sell commercially. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/18 "2018-05-15T20:26:04Z")
I did buy Meguiars Ultimate Black as well as some West Coast Customs Tire & Trim Shine. The West Coast is a spray and the Meguiars is a cream. I’ve used one product on each side of my F150 and will see which one is looking better and longer lasting. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/19 "2018-05-16T15:38:04Z")
1. Loved by auto geeks and boaters. Always the first mentioned in threads on various high-end car and boat forums. 303 Protectant ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840/20 "2018-05-16T15:47:20Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Armor All, you only put that stuff on the steering wheel once. You can say that again. I had a dealer put a liberal coat of that stuff on my steering wheel without asking me. It looked nice, but when my hands slipped, I had the mechanic remove it with a solvent. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-rubber-car-parts-protectant/813840.md?page=2)