onehorsehitcher
Donna Tx
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Joined: 04/06/2007
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I did a search on the subject and come up with little help. We are going to leave the RV in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas this next summer and wondered what was the best way to protect the seals so they survive in the heat. I have used Armor All for years but have some concerns that seals will stick to the unit when I put the slides out the following fall. I have used petroleum jelly on neopreme seals and o rings many times but it tends to react with the material and ruin them. Any answers.
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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I buy a spary on silicone that is made for slide seals. Any good rv store has it, and it does work. It keeps the seals pliable and workable. Cost about 9 bucks for a spray can.
1997 chev crew cab 454, 5 sp. 4.10
2000 Fleetwood Caribou 11.5
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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Aerospace 303 will protect the seals from UV damage, lubricate them and keep them supple.
303
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slowolf
Central Coast, CA
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Joined: 01/02/2007
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Stick (or don't stick!) with silicone based products. I use a spray silicone on mine once of twice a year. You may think about silicone grease too. It's the consistency of petroleum jelly but better for the rubber and will last longer than the spray. Silicone grease is popular with scuba divers as is conditions and protects rubber O-rings and face mask rubber. You can find it at most dive shops or online. More details here:Silicon Grease Explained
2005 Airstream Safari 28' w/slideout
2006 Ford F250 PSD FX4 Lariat w/ Tow Command
Hensley Arrow Hitch
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onehorsehitcher
Donna Tx
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My problem is the length of time the seals will be compressed during the heat of summer. I use silicone spray on some parts of the slide mechanism and it does pretty well but I use it fairly frequent. Most of the time before closing the slides. I was or am concerned that the silicone spray will not last for the 6 months of South Texas heat. Some shade where it will be parked but they will be shady in the afternoon. Heck, it wouldn't be the first time they would have to be replaced. The originals must have been installed using water soluble glue.  . The second set, same as the originals did the same. Finally the factory rep informed the dealer they have superceded those with a different type. They have been on for some time now. Thanks for the imput.
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lv2rom
Kansas City, Missouri
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Joined: 07/12/2006
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I know you are not concerned about UV exposuree so forget the sprays that are for that purpose. I do it to my big fiver whenever it's going to be out of use for an extended period of time. I have found two things to be quite effective at reducing the "possibility" of sticking seals or wipers. Bring the slide in to the last 6" then apply it to all of the wipers, seal faces, the back side of the slide flange, and the sides of the slide itself. This will probably bring some chuckles, but I use either baby powder, or corn starch, all I can tell you is I've never caught a seal.....Brian 
2005 F350 Dually -AFE air box/MRSP exhaust/Bags/Bilsteins/Energy Susp./Michleins
2002 Hitchhiker Fiver 29.5 RLBG - Moryde Pin/Gas shocks/Michelin XPS Ribs
1996 Layton Fiver 21ft. Totally reconditioned..Love it!!
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jojolou
S. E. Michigan
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Joined: 03/09/2005
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I've used baby powder on my slide seals for several years, works great and it's cheap!
Lou
Lou
2008 Allegro Bay 35 TSB W-25.5
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onehorsehitcher
Donna Tx
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Baby powder seems to have a tendency to congeal in high humidity which can be a problem in the RGV. I have used various types of "lubricant" on o rings that were used in the plumbing industry and some worked well, other not so well. Contact with moisture was not as big a problem as the heat resistance. I have considered using a thin "Saran Wrap" (copyrited name) between the seals where they contact the fiberglass. This may be overkill but I certainly don't want to spend the first few days after returning replacing or removing rubber. The only times the slides are in now is in transportation. However in the summer time "up North" the unit is inside a building out of the weather with slides extended. I hope this thread stays current as I am open to ideas and have a few months yet before I have to make a decision. Maybe the price fuel will be low enough that I will bring the unit back. I use the summer months to clean, repair and use the unit as a guest house. Thanks for the tips and keep them coming. When I was 18 I knew everything but over the years I must have forgotten most of it.
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Gene-C
So. Ilinois
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Joined: 12/02/2000
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What about wax paper??? not many things will stick to that. Just wonder if anyone has had there seals stick to the camper or tear loose when opening after a long hot summer???? I live in the midwest and it gets real hot here and have never had it happen to any of my campers. And have not heard of anyone else having a problem.
Gene-C
01 Mckenzie Medallion 31ft TT, 01 Dodge Ram diesel,Honda CT110 trail bike On the rear,14 ft boat on the roof of the truck. Finally retired.
South in the winter and North in the summer
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onehorsehitcher
Donna Tx
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In the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas it is common to have temps over the mid 90s for a couple weeks at a time. If one is present to use the various deterants or protections it isn't a problem but with the unit unattended basically for the entire hot season it could become one. An acquaintance who left his unit at a consignment lot had the seals on his slide pull off when he extended it. Not the wiper but the bottom seal which is on the frame. I had some on the large slide from last winter but it didn't take the seal, just a bit of what appeared to be "melted" rubber. I don't know about wax paper although it is also a possiblity. I was thinking of using the thin plastic that come with the rolls of pipe insulation for waterproofing. About 4 inches wide and in rolls of 30 feet or so. Cheap and should be easy to install and shouldn't stick. Using anything at all may be unnecessary but I am of the conservative school and dislike repairs of most any kind. Another term might be lazy!!!
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