GEMINIDAN

I have talked about this before, I have a 5 month old GLK in South Florida, the rubber mouldings on the top of the doors on both sides look like ten years old, they have a faded and worn look the dealer has looked at it and said there is nothing they can do about it, I walked their lot and almost every Suv I looked at had this weather worn look on the mouldings. I went to their sister store and it is the same thing. They had a new service rep there yesterday from Germany and he said they did not have this problem in Germany.... I am going to call MB and ask to see a factory rep,, I have been using "303" protectorant on them but it only lasts a couple of days and when tyou wipe the mouldings with a dry towel black marks appear on the towel, has anyone looked at their mouldings and see the same problem??? tx for your help!

MBRedux

You already know the answer, especially since you live in the land of the Sun! Why post it again?!

GEMINIDAN

I posted it again to see if there were other owners having the same problems in other states other then South Florida, and if there are maybe Mercedes would come up with a better solution.. so this is why I bothered to post again....is this ok with you??

phil17

mine's the same and I live in Toronto Canada. lol, car's garaged every night and only driven like 300km's a week. honestly, i'm just not surprised at anything with this car anymore... maybe try mother's back to black, i dunno, I might just rub it with some sillicon grease or something.

MKenM

I have an 18 month old GLK that is garaged every night. I has 22K miles and no sign of wear of fade on the gaskets.

SL2003driver

hit it with some 3M silicone spray. Should help them last a long time.

GEMINIDAN

3M Silicone spray is not the answer...probably will run down on the doors, 303 Protectorant is known for this and even that does not help....strange I see it on lots of Benz Cars...very brown and faded looking..waiting for reply from factory. I am sure that bthere are many of us on here that just may not be paying attention to it, with Palladium as the color it is easy to spot.

SL2003driver

I did something different. After I used the 3M I wiped all the over spray off the car, , then after a few hours I did my car wash thing. Worked with my SL550 "white", and all my "Black" Benz's. But if you come up with a better solution please keep us posted.

Dreamka

I had same issue, but I don't really care now.

When I picked up mine at the dealership, It looked like "FADE" but I knew it they would say like " not a problem and it is normal thing"

Just ignore for your peace like me...

Jkrn2003

pics?

GEMINIDAN

It is hard to ignore..I keep the car covered in "REJEX" and the wheels and there is awesome shine on it ,so when you see the lousy look on the rubber it bothers me,,,plus if you wipe the rubber with a wet cloth it usually leaves black marks! I am trying to establish this is an on-going problem with Mercedes not just in the South Florida area.

jdm2010

I used Mothers back to black. It makes them look new again but yes it will turn whatever you use to apply it black. I have noticed the molding on the top windshield and the back doors have stayed looking new but the rest need it again. I also have problems with the chrome on the doors- very hard to clean for some reason.

SL2003driver

Your right it is a on going problem with MB they must use a different type of rubber then say Lexus, never had to treat the rubber much on any of my Lexus vehicles but have on the MB vehicles. I just continue to treat. If you find out what the difference is in the molding from MB and Lexus??? But I believe the rubber MB uses continues to do the job and does not go bad. Keep us posted if you find a difference.

MBRedux

Actually, it's the ONLY answer.... but you already knew that! For some reason you have not come to terms with it. Is it the cost or it's low availability?.... Yes it's pure silicone... (no junky additives)... and NO, it will not attack the paint or anything else... Yes it will remove all the old dull oxidation from the rubber trim and restore to *like new*... Yes it will keep the rubber from EVER cracking or drying out... Yes it will last about 3-5 months before it will need another application, and YES it is EXPENSIVE... but worth every penny.

All other so called rubber treatments on the market are simply JUNK, a waste of time, effort and money... 3M Pure Silicone Lube is the RIGHT and ONLY stuff to use.... now please don't post this repeated question. YOU already know that there is nothing better than 3M PURE SILICONE Lube.... (The stuff you mention is NOT the answer... besides, if you truly believe it is, why even ask?)


The One, the ONLY.................

gsrjc

Does anyone have pictures?

MilesBFree

Spray whatever product onto a rag first and wipe it on instead of spraying directly onto the rubber parts, to avoid getting as much on the paint, overspray, runs, etc.

The brown/faded appearance is due to oxidation, so anything that blocks air from getting to the rubber (e.g.- silicone spray) is going to prevent it (assuming you wash the oxidized layer off first).

The 3M silicone is good stuff.

I like Back to Black for black-colored hard exterior trim, but am not sure it is the best for rubber? (Might be OK; I just don't really know).

MBRedux

In the 1st thread on this topic, I posted the correct procedure. Simply put, it should be applied just before you wash your car. Spray 3M SL onto all the exterior rubber and trim (avoid tires and brakes) using the thin needle tube spray head. (This will limit the amount of overspray. It will not harm the paint or anything else if it does, it just conserves the product since it is around $12.00-$15.00 a can.) Let it soak in for 5-10 min. Then simply wash the car in the usual way.

The end.

GLKKa2H

I didn't really want to pick up this issue again, as I took part in the discussion ongoing in the other thread.

However IS there another (not "so called") rubber treatment, which is the one I have used over the last five years, the Seal Feed - called Gum Feed as well. The brand is Swissvax, http://www.swissvax.us.
and a description of the product is found: http://www.swissvax.us/merchant.mvc?...NGINE-BAY-CARE.

The rubber moldings of our GLK looked like detailed by the OP in his first post. Seel Feed was applied a year ago (when the car was new), and the moldings were still "shiny" like last summer, when the product was re-applied after a harsh arctic winter.

It is applied by a sponge (or simply by fingers), to stand for 30 min. and then "rub gently with a soft cloth and polish to a lustrous shine".

GEMINIDAN

I really do not care about the cost I have not been able to find the 3M spray..I offered to b uy a can from anyone here but that did not happen and I dont need a full case,,,303 was supposed to work but it does not.,..

SL2003driver

Go to ace or home depot and buy a can.

MBRedux

No don't do this...... the silicone spray they sell is NOT made by 3M and is NOT the same product.... Silicone spray from these stores will HARM your rubber and your PAINT!

MBRedux

Here you go.... http://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Lubri...reative=380797

Geeeezzzzzzzzz, some need to be spoon fed!

MBRedux

For $60+ dollars!?&%$#! Way over priced and a little TOO steep, even for me. It's probably 60% pure silicone or Polyethylene Glycol anyways.... I'll place the future of my rubber trim on 3M Pure SL any day.

PS Like the 3M product, this Swissvax product is a USA company.... not Swiss but must pass on the cost of licensing the Swiss logo.

GEMINIDAN

WILL ORDER FROM AMAZON..THANKS ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL HELP!!

GEMINIDAN

WELL THAT DID NOT WORK THE THIEF ON AMAZON WANTED 32.00 W/SHIPPING FOR THE CAN...ANYONE WANT TO SELL ME ONE???