I have a rubber gasket in my flip up sun roof that seems compacted. Any ideas on what to soak it in to get it to expand or "fluff up"? (though it may be tempting, but please keep responses relevant to the sunroof situation)
thanks!

 

Can't be done. The only thing that might make it expand temporarily will be heat. Time for a new gasket?

 

It's time for a whole freakn' new sunroof, but it's hard coughing up another $500 for it. That's a lot of fuel. I don't know where to look for a gasket that fits since the sunroof guys say it's too old to get parts for.

 

(black) RTV silicone can be used creatively to "fluff it up"

 

I've never tried it but I read on some forum that ArmorAll will actually soften rubber and make it more flexible but they also said they let the item "soak" in it for a a day or so.

As I said, I can't verify this but it might be worth a try.

 

I wonder if injecting silicone inside it might fluff it?

 

I think I'll try soaking it in Armor All. If the results are worth anything I'll post

 

I was going to suggest gasket (o-ring) dressing. But that's more preventative than corrective.

So, sorry, no clue.

 

Soak it in gasoline and leave it there, infact anything rubber will expand.

 

OP may have figured it out by now

 

Yup...and I have to...

Gasoline is for burning in your engine to make the wheels go round. Aside from its obscene cost these days, you're insane to use it for anything else but that.

 

Diesel fuel will do the job for a short time. Vaseline will soften and expand the rubber a little, and preserves the rubber for quite a while.

Good luck!
Pat☺