Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket

jledou · 08-19-2009, 09:30 AM

I got an older fridge/freezer combo from a friend and the seals/gaskets are in a worn state to say the least. Does anyone have any suggestions on what may rehabilitate them back to a better shape? I had thoughts of using something like Armorall on them to see if that helps, but thought I would check first.

Thanks,

Jay

RGD. · 08-19-2009, 02:01 PM

They really are not that hard to replace - and your local appliance repair shop should have them or be able to get them.

But - if you really want to try and clean yours up - I would suggest removing them and soaking them in hot soapy water. This does two things: it makes them pliable and cleans them for the next step. Next take spray silicone and rub into them - lots and lots of it. Spray the hell out of them - let them soak in it and then rub them down real good.

And don't forget to clean the metal contact part of the fridge also so that the magnets get a better chance at sticking.

About all I can offer.

Ron

jledou · 08-19-2009, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the tips Ron.

This is an older fridge so I went online to find the gaskets. They each were over $100 so at $200+ I figured I would try to give these a little more life, the main reason is I could pick up a brand new fridge for $300-$400 the same size.

Can't complain too much though when the price was right on the fridge (free!)

Smokin Gator · 08-19-2009, 02:56 PM

I have had good luck with cleaning them well and then using Vaseline. I don't know how/why but it seems to work.

jledou · 08-20-2009, 08:03 AM

I could see where the petroleum based vasoline could help by soaking back into the gasket and make it more pliable similar to the silicone.

Thanks guys.

skibumdc · 08-20-2009, 08:12 AM

I thought petroleum products ate away rubber?

08-20-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skibumdc

I thought petroleum products ate away rubber?

It eats away at latex.

Volt · 08-20-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leasingthisspace

It eats away at latex.

That's what my High School health class taught us

jledou · 08-20-2009, 08:50 AM

depends on the type of "rubber" that you actually have but yes some petroleum products can eat away the rubber.

Volt · 08-20-2009, 08:59 AM

I hope someone has a good answer.... I may have to change mine, we have light showing through the gasket and door

08-19-2009, 09:30 AM	#1
jledou Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jay Location: Kansas Posts: 2,223 Trading: (27)	Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket I got an older fridge/freezer combo from a friend and the seals/gaskets are in a worn state to say the least. Does anyone have any suggestions on what may rehabilitate them back to a better shape? I had thoughts of using something like Armorall on them to see if that helps, but thought I would check first. Thanks, Jay

08-19-2009, 02:01 PM	#2
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket They really are not that hard to replace - and your local appliance repair shop should have them or be able to get them. But - if you really want to try and clean yours up - I would suggest removing them and soaking them in hot soapy water. This does two things: it makes them pliable and cleans them for the next step. Next take spray silicone and rub into them - lots and lots of it. Spray the hell out of them - let them soak in it and then rub them down real good. And don't forget to clean the metal contact part of the fridge also so that the magnets get a better chance at sticking. About all I can offer. Ron

08-19-2009, 02:54 PM	#3
jledou Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jay Location: Kansas Posts: 2,223 Trading: (27)	Re: Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket Thanks for the tips Ron. This is an older fridge so I went online to find the gaskets. They each were over $100 so at $200+ I figured I would try to give these a little more life, the main reason is I could pick up a brand new fridge for $300-$400 the same size. Can't complain too much though when the price was right on the fridge (free!)

08-19-2009, 02:56 PM	#4
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket I have had good luck with cleaning them well and then using Vaseline. I don't know how/why but it seems to work. __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

08-20-2009, 08:03 AM	#5
jledou Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jay Location: Kansas Posts: 2,223 Trading: (27)	Re: Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket I could see where the petroleum based vasoline could help by soaking back into the gasket and make it more pliable similar to the silicone. Thanks guys.

08-20-2009, 08:12 AM	#6
skibumdc That's what she said Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Balco Location: Smoke Less, Age More Posts: 345 Trading: (8)	Re: Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket I thought petroleum products ate away rubber? __________________ The Dude abides

08-20-2009, 08:50 AM	#9
jledou Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jay Location: Kansas Posts: 2,223 Trading: (27)	Re: Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket depends on the type of "rubber" that you actually have but yes some petroleum products can eat away the rubber.

08-20-2009, 08:59 AM	#10
Volt I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,799 Trading: (19)	Re: Rehabilitating a Fridge Gasket I hope someone has a good answer.... I may have to change mine, we have light showing through the gasket and door __________________ Curing the infection... One bullet at a time.