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Old 07-16-2016, 12:17 AM   #1
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WD40 on the seals???

While going thru our PDI the dealer rep said to use WD40 on the seals. Seemed a bit weird to me so did a bit of research and seems 409 or Lysol to clean & Aerospace 303 for lube are the way to go. I know WD40 is supposed to be the panacea for all the ills of the world, but for the Roo bunk & slide out seals? Any thoughts on this? Thanks much
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Old 07-16-2016, 12:24 AM   #2
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Doesnt seem like a good application for wd40 to me. I ordered a gallon jug of 303 on amazon, and have heard good things about it, and I use it on the sides and back of the fiver. I use an advanced auto paste wax on the front cap. Nothing brings out the shine like paste wax. Also stops bug guts from sticking. Only downside is that you must re-apply paste wax regularly. But just doing the front cap is not to bad.
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Old 07-16-2016, 03:32 AM   #3
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While going thru our PDI the dealer rep said to use WD40 on the seals. Seemed a bit weird to me so did a bit of research and seems 409 or Lysol to clean & Aerospace 303 for lube are the way to go. I know WD40 is supposed to be the panacea for all the ills of the world, but for the Roo bunk & slide out seals? Any thoughts on this? Thanks much
I would not put WD40 on rubber seals, It is petroleum base product and will destroy your rubber in time. Use the #303 like you said or by the rubber seal spray they sell at damn CW. I like and use the #303 myself on all slide seals and decals, great UV protection. I think your PDI guy was out to lunch...
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Old 07-16-2016, 04:23 AM   #4
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303 Rub some on the Tires while your using it also! Youroo!!
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Old 07-16-2016, 04:55 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Guzzi View Post
While going thru our PDI the dealer rep said to use WD40 on the seals. Seemed a bit weird to me so did a bit of research and seems 409 or Lysol to clean & Aerospace 303 for lube are the way to go. I know WD40 is supposed to be the panacea for all the ills of the world, but for the Roo bunk & slide out seals? Any thoughts on this? Thanks much
Nooooo...use RV silicone spray or any silicone spray for that matter. There are many brands.

Such as ....

Liquid Wrench RV Silicone Spray Lubricant - Walmart.com

303 Protectant is good for U/V protection, but does not lubricate the seals. I do use it on vinyl stripes and tires or any black rubber or plastic chassis or coach body exterior stuff.

WD40 will actually damage the seals over time.

Dealers are amazing sometimes...
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Old 07-16-2016, 05:18 AM   #6
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NO!

Use silicone spray wiped on the seals, do the window seals while you are at it. WD-40 contains large amounts of petroleum distillates that will damage the seals. Aerospace 303 on all the other outside plastic stuff to protect against UV.

I really have to wonder about some of these "sales" people; If you put Orange Juice in the tires they will get you to Florida faster....

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Old 07-16-2016, 05:18 AM   #7
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303 Rub some on the Tires while your using it also! Youroo!!
X2 X3 X4
303 is the only "protectant" I use on anything rubber, vinyl, or plastic on our Lexi, and 2 Subaru's, inside and out. Also great for the decals on your rig.
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Old 07-16-2016, 05:55 AM   #8
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Another NO on the WD40.
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Old 07-16-2016, 07:36 AM   #9
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Thanks to all. Confirmed suspicion regarding PDI ineptitude. Reading about folks having seals pulling out on bunks &slides on even newer units makes me wanna lube em but wanted to confirm what to use. Looks like silicon spray will keep em from sticking & not chemically attack the seals like WD will Thanks again
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Old 07-16-2016, 07:57 AM   #10
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If you will google up "silicon use on rubber and vinyl" you will find hundreds of posts on what products to use. There are different kinds/types of silicon and using the wrong one on tires may harm them, while using the same product on pure rubber or vinyl may be ok. Just depends on who makes it and what was used to make it.
Personally, I don't use any type of silicon products on my vehicles, for anything, preferring the 303 to anything else I've found.
However, 303 is expensive compared to all the "other" stuff that's available. Cheaper to buy it on Amazon by the gallon. About $50 ish a gallon, but then again, what's your rig worth?
But, it's your rig, and it's your decision. Go with what suits you.
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Old 07-16-2016, 07:58 AM   #11
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Most people think WD40 is a great lubricant but in fact it is actually a solvent.

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Old 07-16-2016, 12:39 PM   #12
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Interesting discussion. While having my slide worked on at Forrest River the folks there said to use nothing but alcohol on the rubber seals and slide surface they slide on. Seals should never invert while the slide is going in or out but should stay laid in an outward position as the slide comes in and goes out. This is what the Forest River tech said as they worked on my slide.
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Old 07-16-2016, 12:40 PM   #13
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Paste wax

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Doesnt seem like a good application for wd40 to me. I ordered a gallon jug of 303 on amazon, and have heard good things about it, and I use it on the sides and back of the fiver. I use an advanced auto paste wax on the front cap. Nothing brings out the shine like paste wax. Also stops bug guts from sticking. Only downside is that you must re-apply paste wax regularly. But just doing the front cap is not to bad.
And ihow in the world do you get up to the very top of the cap. With a painters ladder I can only get about 3/4 of the cap done.
You use scaffolding ?
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Old 07-16-2016, 01:11 PM   #14
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303

Keep in mind 303 DOES NOT evaporate so wipe in on not spray it.
Also it goes a LONG way so real cost is much less the water bas ed silicone or petroleum based WD 40.
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Old 07-16-2016, 01:58 PM   #15
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Which 303 product are you using. I looked on Amazon and there about 4 different products with the name 303. Cleaner, multi surface protectant, fabric guard and rubber seal protectant. The rubber seal protectant does not come in the gallon size on Amazon. So which one of these products are you guys using on your slide out seals?
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Old 07-16-2016, 02:23 PM   #16
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Use baby powder on soft rubber seals
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Old 07-16-2016, 02:42 PM   #17
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Use baby powder on soft rubber seals
When I was stationed in SEA we used a lot of baby powder, but not on our seals!!!!
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Old 07-16-2016, 02:56 PM   #18
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Use baby powder on soft rubber seals
X2. Cheap and effective.

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Old 07-16-2016, 02:58 PM   #19
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Which 303 product are you using. I looked on Amazon and there about 4 different products with the name 303. Cleaner, multi surface protectant, fabric guard and rubber seal protectant. The rubber seal protectant does not come in the gallon size on Amazon. So which one of these products are you guys using on your slide out seals?
The one you need is the 303 Aerospace Protectant. About $55 a gallon on Amazon. But, although it may seem expensive, it's 128 oz, which equals 8 bottles of 16 oz regular protectant or cans of silicon spray. And, as noted, a little goes a long way.
As a side note, 303 is the perfect stuff to use on your vinyl decals. You do not want to use a carnuba based wax on vinyl decals or wraps as the carnuba will actually dry out vinyl over a period of time.
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Old 07-16-2016, 03:05 PM   #20
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Interesting discussion. While having my slide worked on at Forrest River the folks there said to use nothing but alcohol on the rubber seals and slide surface they slide on. Seals should never invert while the slide is going in or out but should stay laid in an outward position as the slide comes in and goes out. This is what the Forest River tech said as they worked on my slide.
Alcohol? Seems like that would dry them out. Silicon works for me.
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