How can I remove dried paint and rust stains from black rubber side window gaskets?
 

Any suggestions for how I can remove dried paint and rusty stains (see image below) from the black rubber gaskets that surround the roll-up windows and side vent windows of an 83 pickup? I'm repainting the front cab so I removed all of that stuff and want to make it look nice before I put it back. Besides the dried paint, etc. the rubber is still in good condition.

Thank you.

Give laquer thinner a shot. Try it on a small spot, ive had good luck with it

Its pretty magical stuff. Check this out:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f123...ng-bad-299406/

I need to remove some dried paint from the front turn signal lens too so I will definitely try lacquer thinner. Have you used it on porous rubber stuff like those window gaskets before?

Only to clean the mess i made that kind of ran onto them when getting the paint off the truck. Ive used wd40 before as well as a turtle wax product called Liquid Ice to restore the rubber after cleaning it. Luckily i have a friend in west florida who has or had, new rubber gaskets for the windshield and rear window. I have a couple sets of extra door to get the other stuff off of. I think Cory85 has used vaseline to help restore old rubber trim pieces as well.

Cool website btw. Id love to redo an old rv one day

If lacquer thinner turns out too aggressive, try 100% silicone dielectric grease, or the silicone spray can. Silicone (not caulking) seems to make pretty much anything "UN-stick" and reconditions natural rubber. I used it to revive my window rubber surrounds.

First I would soak the gaskets in ordinary white vinegar. It's really cheap and gets rust off things. Then I would clean it with 00 steel wool and degreaser. Wipe it down with a generous amount of a tire dressing such as Armor All . I used a Meguiars version that I can't remember the name of. Geez. I looked for a good picture and all I found was this. It had rust spots and was all white and chaulky. It's from a parts truck.

Attachment 110279

Just an update here... Lacquer thinner worked well for removing the old paint from the rubber gaskets and everything else, so thanks for the suggestion.

:cheers:
Glad it worked out for you