Steps to restoring your rubber seals
Prepare the rubber seal. Ensure all dirt/debris is cleaned from the rubber seal itself and the application. Dirt and grime are bad for rubber seals and causes them to deteriorate much faster. It’s important to clean off any paraffin wax, too, that may have come from the rubber itself after some time. This can be achieved by using a rubber solvent, available from most hardware stores.
Don’t be afraid to scrub. Scrubbing the rubber seal will not only remove all dirt attached to the rubber, but it also helps restore the overall appearance of the seal itself. The less dirt on a rubber seal, the less likely wear and tear will occur. If the seal is only slightly dirty, warm water and soap will work perfectly. For more stubborn dirt and grime, and if mould and mildew are present, then you will need a stronger solution, and in this instance, we’d recommend diluted bleach, drying thoroughly with a cotton cloth afterwards.
Apply a suitable conditioner. There is a range of rubber conditioners on the market for you to choose from. Choosing the right one is all down to personal preference, as well as the availability of the product. Make sure to rub the conditioner thoroughly into the seal, ensuring that the entire seal is saturated. Wipe off any excess conditioner.
Remove excessive damage. Even when following the most stringent of rubber restoring techniques, some parts of the seal may be too far gone to be repaired. If this is the case and there are parts of the seal that simply can’t be repaired, using the tools mentioned above, remove these areas completely. (Of course, it’s important not to remove too much, as you don’t want to render the seal entirely useless). Once the damaged areas have been removed, using a file or abrasive emery, buff the remainder parts to create a smooth gasket seal. Once the buffing has been carried out, you will then need to reapply the rubber conditioner to help restore the seals level of protection.
Help to increase the seals’ shelf life. Depending on the circumstances, repairs with certain adhesives and super glue may also keep the part alive for a little longer.