discoloured white rubber above sliding door

I've just dug out the rubber trim that sits at the top of the sliding door runner in the cargo area just behind the front seats, it is old and yellow ....but still flexible

I've tried all sorts of cleaners to try to get it white again, but no luck so far

has any one got any magic tips to get the rubber white again? .....or is it just yellow with age and no amount of cleaning will get it back to how it was originally?

failing that can you buy them? .....I think I've seen them on Heritage...but in gray ....and I want white

 

I have the same problem. have you tried paint thinners yet? or methylated spirits?

 

tried thinners, 3 different solvent cleaners, petrol and a chemical gasket remover (pretty aggressive like paint stripper)

not tried meths yet

I'm thinking it is the surface layer that has deteriorated and unlikely to get it white again

I have found a place that will make and seal, trim or moulding .....but I bet it would be expensive to make one little bit for the bus

 

the only other thing i can think of is caustic soda, ive got a load so might give that a go

 

Same here as well, tried everything even diluted bleach overnight, although I'm going to try that white shoe polish with the sponge on the end of it, see if that works

 

that shoe polish is SHIIITE! its slightly better that tippex.

 

You could try PVC window frame cleaner, but I think the rubber has just discoloured with age. Mine's the same.

 

Oven cleaner?

 

I use a cleaner at work called easy finish case cleaner smells like cheery aid and should on be used in a well ventilated area but works a treat on most things even takes Nicotine off .
Get it from climate centre may do the trick

 

Saying that I would have thought thinners would have done something

 

Try trimming off a very short section to see how deep the discolouration is. May save you a load of elbow grease or give a bit of hope either way
Just had a thought. White colour wax or trim restorer ?

 

Cleaned mine with oven cleaner even though it says no to rubber but it came up a little better. You know what it's 40 yrs old and like me it's picked up some marks over the years so hey ho

 

Stick a pic up diddy please

 

I think UV light takes the colour out. Can by new one's though, but they're grey, as I recall.

 

Mine has been sat on my desk as a reminder to clean it for the past two weeks - watching with interest now to see if you have any success! Good luck!

 

ive soaked scrubbed polished buffed and generally beaten mine up with every solvent in a chemistry teachers armory. no change in colour. i was hoping to buy a new one but by the sounds of it i cant. might get a roll made up and sell it. sounds like lots need it

 

I'll try and get a pic up tomorrow

meths didnt work, not tried oven cleaner yet

everything I've tried so far has got it cleaner.......but it is still discoloured .....like a nicotene stain

not heared of that case cleaner baybug

I did think about cutting a bit off to see how deep it went .....but was worried that I wouldnt be able to reuse it if I did....thats if I cant find a replacement.

dont want a grey one really....cos I'm fussy

I've found a place that does white u chanel - the one that goes on the B posts behind the cab seats, as its cheap I will buy new for those bits rather than clean up the old....and that place can make seals......might send them a pic for a price if they can do it in white.

If its expensive in short lengths, is any one interested in a bulk buy if it makes it any cheaper?

 

try the magic erasers - they act like very fine sandpaper and may do the job?

 

Mine's in the bin.

 

I dont think ive ever had one?