I've recently bought a previously owned '05. I'm thinking that it's about time to start taking the top off. When I do, I think I ought to take care of the rubber around the windows and the top. What would you guys recommend to keep the rubber in good conditioning?

 

You can use most any brand of Dielectric Silicone Grease but the GM brand I believe is Part No. U.S. 12345579. BMW also makes a product calle Gummi-Pflege that some people I know use.

 

There is also a product made by Zymol a small bottle of jel but it is costly something like $20.00

 

What Wayne said..............

 

The dielectric grease you speek of, is that the same grease you use on spark plug wire rubber boots and electric plugs and sockets?

 

Put that on your C-6 Targa top and you will have a mess.

 

The silicone grease is primarily recommended to reduce squeaking; it does that, and offers some protection, but is a bit messy.

I've had pretty good luck with Mother's Back to Black. Works well on the other black trim on the car, too.

 

hOW ABOUT 303? Where it can get messy is the rubber that is exposed on the outside of targa top as it is exposed to the elements. Seems to be whatever you put on that spot will either wash away or attract dirt.

 

Actually i believe is GM 12377900 but, I aggree.
Or maybe just a good brand of rubber lubricant like Meguiars, Armor All,etc....

 

I have purchased and used Gummi-Pflege. The stuff is reasonable and very good. Tried it on an older vehicle that I own and it really helped. NO mess.

 

Good point - there's the inside part, which is where we may need some lubrication to prevent squeeks, and the outside part, which we want to protect and keep nice looking. And its a lot easier to use one product to do both.

303 is excellent as a protectant, easy to use and not messy or shiny - which is important to me; I like a good contrast between the flat trim and the shiny paint.

The Back to Black does a better job of cleaning off any oxidization, etc. as well as providing some protection - probably not as much as the 303.

But you bring up a good point - there's the inside part, which is where you may need some lubrication to prevent squeeks, and the outside part, which we want to protect and keep nice looking. And its a lot easier to use one product to do both.

Most if not all silicone greases are a combination of silicone oil and fillers, and they vary in the ratio of silicone to filler. Honda sells a Shin Etsu grease that might have the highest silicone content of the easily available automotive greases.

Pure silicone won't come off easily, or attract dirt - its just plain too slippery for the dirt to stick to. But it does tend to spread itself into a one-molecule thick layer, and once it does its hard to tell that its actually there because its so thin. Also, its a pain to work with because it tends to creep and get on and in everything, and is hard to clean off once it does.

 

What I have found with the 303 is that is washes off too easily on the outside molding/rubber. I like to use it on the tires. It won't work on C-6 interior as it leaves white marks.

What is this Honda shin etsu grease? Cost? size?