The rubber gaskets/trim on my 2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 are oxidizing so bad that it looks like the soot from a oil burning tailpipe.
Before I dig in with one possible treatment, I was going to seek some options here.
My first thought is to treat them like wiper blades and use rubbing alcohol. Just like Scotty says.
I do have Turtle Wax Ice synthetic polish in a liquid form that has been good for other cars' rubber pieces and painted metal. If I'm successful in cleaning this rubber off, I will definitely put something on it.
Thanks, as always for input and anecdotes.
Any protectant like Son of a Gun should be OK.
There are lots of good things for rubber. I've been using 303 Automotive Protectant for a while and really like it. It doesn't leave a shine like some products. Available on Amazon and at most auto parts stores.
I always thought that pure rubbing alcohol was great for cleaning, but horrible for longevity of rubber parts, because alcohol dries things out.
For my 1999 Honda Accord, I recently started playing around with Chemical Guys VRP. VRP stand for vinyl, rubber and plastic. Nothing special about Chemical Guys, other makers have similar products.
I don’t necessarily endorse or recommend this product, as I just started using it. And the rubber on my car may be too far gone to do any good. Just sharing this anecdote.
I've been using 303 Automotive Protectant for a while and really like it. It doesn't leave a shine like some products. Available on Amazon and at most auto parts stores.
This is what I use. I used to use Mothers Back to Black but like the 303 better.
waste of time. Just replace when they wear out.
