Back glass gasket is hard. How to soften it up

[Bobby Sixkiller]

So I’m replacing the back glass in my 54 desoto. Do any of you have experience in softening a windshield gasket. It’s almost 70 years old I know. But it’s made of unobtainium. Unless I find a place to make one. Thought I’d try to use the old one if possible. Thank you

 

[Kern Dog]

Soak it in diesel. Kerosene will work too and does not smell quite as bad.

 

[gdrill]

Put it in a pillow case and run it through the dryer.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

So I’m replacing the back glass in my 54 desoto. Do any of you have experience in softening a windshield gasket. It’s almost 70 years old I know. But it’s made of unobtainium. Unless I find a place to make one. Thought I’d try to use the old one if possible. Thank you

A-331-A $95.00

https://www.oldmoparts.com/parts-weatherstripping-chrysler-desoto-imperial-1951-1959.aspx

 

[Bobby Sixkiller]

Thanks guys. Thanks 1 wild ride. I looked all over and never found that place. I think I’ll order one from them. Just what I needed

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Andy has been doing Mopar for a long time... You might want to look all around his website...

 

[w.Hudson]

I had a friend soak his front and rear windshield rubber gaskets with WD40 on his 28 Packard.

He sprayed it twice a day. Not sure how long it took but he was about to them out unharmed.

 

[Sixpactogo]

I use Whisk hand cleaner. Go-Jo works too. They both have lanolin and when you gob it on the rubber, it soaks in and softens the rubber. It is not a one time thing though. You have to keep applying it a few times but it works wonders for rubber seals and gaskets that are unobtainium. Don't use the gritty stuff though. Sun baked wing vent rubber that has grayed will come back to life with a few applications too.

 

[moparedtn]

Andy has been doing Mopar for a long time... You might want to look all around his website...

Andy Bernbaum rocks - and like you say, he's done so for several decades now. Great for the hobby!

 

[Sixpactogo]

Andy Bernbaum rocks - and like you say, he's done so for several decades now. Great for the hobby!

For sure! I bought some stuff from him back in the early 80's for my 60 Dart. He told me he got his start from when his dad who owned a dealership told him to clean out his warehouse of old parts and toss them in a dumpster. I was not aware he was still in business.

 

[Bobby Sixkiller]

I’ll give him a call tomorrow

 

[OKDart]

Thanks guys. Thanks 1 wild ride. I looked all over and never found that place. I think I’ll order one from them. Just what I needed

That part they sell may just be a straight cut gasket without molded corners that you'd have to glue together. I would definitely call and ask.

 

[Slap Stick]

Put it in very hot water. Then install.

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Also look in Rock auto in the universal section body, they sell tons of weatherstripping/gaskets by the foot way less money.