The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Opinions on Rubber Parts

Guys,
I bought and installed a floor shift boot for a CJ5 a couple of years ago and before my project has even hit the trails, the boot has disentegrated! I don't recall where I bought the thing... my loss.
The jeep has been under cover, I have no idea how or why this happened.
When the part came in, I certainly couldn't tell there would be an issue.
All that to say this:
I just bought some rubberized parts for my '59 truck from Classic Parts (A floor shift boot, stomp starter boot, along with a new MC access plug, gas pedal and clutch and brake pads).
I don't know what the quality of these parts might be... anyone with expereience on this?
Also, is there anything I could do to prolong the life of these items?
Jerry

I like to use a non-silicone-based, non-petroleum-based rubber dressing.

Steele Rubber has probably the best reputation for producing (in the USA) high quality rubber parts (you pay for this).

I have had similar experience with overseas rubber.

Most say steel rubber works best
http://www.steelerubber.com/

I purchased my windshield gasket from steel

Now, just to put a bee in Tim's bonnet, I like putting sillycone on rubber. In fact, our good friends at AC delco make a silicone emulsion weatherstrip lubricant. It softens rubber, and keeps it pliable. It does smell awful though, and you don't want it around the shop when you might be painting later. Ask me about how I know that!

What do you use Tim?

I have something from Meguiars, I think (I'll look to see if I can find it). I do not like anything silicone in or near my garage or trucks. I paint in my garage, and silicone-contamination causes grave problems.

A professional painter nearby gave me a lecture several years ago, after his painting booth had been contaminated by someone applying Armor-all inside of it. I had already been using the non-silicone (and, I think non-petroleum-based) "protectant".

When you consider the cost of high-quality, modern, two-part paints, you might as well be careful. If you have ever gotten fish-eyes and had to remove a final coat, you'd be a believer.

I'd rather use a non-silicone, non-petroleum personal-jelly rather than risking contamination from an unknown-composition "shine-all/protect-all". It takes a lot to get a bee in my bonnet - this does not even come close. To each, your own.

Wow.
I clicked on the link to do a quick-see (thanks for the link, Dads50)... the clutch and brake pedal pads were over $10 each.
I paid around $3 for mine.
I hope my items don't turn out like the jeep's! That'd be my dumb luck... I'll look for a non-silicone protectant though. Thanks for that tip, Tim.
Any product recommendations or further tips are appreciated.
Thanks!
Jerry

My stomp starter boot has held up very well for several years. I bought it from American Classic IIRC. My bolt is garage kept, I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

My filler neck grommet has also lasted well. I see no degradation so far.

I use either Armor All or Back To Black, whichever one is closest to me on the shelf.

Bill

Bill, that news makes me feel better since we bought from the same source. Thanks for sharing.
One thing I didn't do with that CJ5 boot is apply any protectant up front. It never crossed my mind that I would need to.
I'll certainly do that to my new parts if you think it'll help make them last longer.
I even wonder about spray painting the under side of the boots to seal them from air since I couldn't easily reapply a protectant.
Maybe I'm making too big a deal of this... ?

Jerry, I also got my rubber parts and many, many other parts from Classic Parts for my 59.
Good prices and good service and I can't afford to buy much from the Steele guys.
I just got the truck on the road last Sept and so far no problems except the door weatherstrip is CRAP. I bought new door weatherstrip from Steele for about $100 vs. $25 from Classic but there is no comparison, The Steele product is very high quality. The other stuff went to the trash can. As they say, you get what you pay for!
Darren

Very nice lookng 59 ya got there Darren. Looks like you've done all of the work your self and a fine job at that.

I've got a couple of questions if you have a minute. I'll send them over to you in a PM.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Your truck's a beauty, Darren!
Thanks for the tip on the door weatherstripping.
Those items are also on my "to get" list.
Does anyone have experience with "Truck Shop" items?

TruckandCarShop

Their prices are comparable to "Classic Parts".

The Truck & Car Shop is owned by the son of the guy that owns Counterpart Automotive
according to a conversation that I had with him last year. I don’t think there is anyone
here that hasn’t received a replacement part in a box labeled Counterpart Automotive half
the parts I‘ve gotten originated there. They supply all of the vendors that I’ve bought parts
from for the past seven years with a lot of the after market parts, much of it imported. So
it only seems logical that the Truck & Car Shop would stock anything that Counterpart
could supply them with.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Ahh, Tim, I used to be free and easy with the armour all, until I did manage to completely screw up a paint job. I do like the weatherstrip stuff, but since I had the trouble with the paint... Well, I haven't been using it, because I need to repaint my truck now.... Right now, I'm fisheye city!

Meguiar's Natural Shine is supposedly silicone free.

Meguiar's NXT products are supposedly silicone free.

Armor All has silicone but they have a "Natural Finish" non-silicone-containing detailer product.

Of course, Meguiar's Silicone-Free is, you guessed it, silicone free.

Let me jump in with a question.
All my buddies use the armour all stuff but I have never liked it and never really knew why.

Now, I have sued a good bit of Son-of-a-Gun and for some reason I tend to like it.

Is there any difference are am I just dreaming??

Both are loaded with silicone compounds/emulsions: 30-40% Armor All Original Protectant; and, 10-30% Son of a Gun.

Truer words were never spoken. Can you say 'fish eyes'?