Restoring rubber elasticity

[NZmember]

Anyone got any success stories or recommendations for putting some elasticity back into original window and door rubber surrounds?

I've just removed mine and they are still in one piece but I want to improve them before refitting. Google came up with a soak in ammonia solution or wiping down with glycerine.

Cheers

[mk1]

If the rubber has actually perished then you are stuffed, you cannot resurrect perished rubber. If it is just a bit hard & squashed then the Ammonia trick might work. I haven't heard of using glycerine.

[66S]

Glycerine is an old one and it does work, to a point. As Mark says though, if it is hard and perished, it won't. Old rubber responds best to several applications of glycerine, each time leaving it on a few days to really sink in.

Regards
Al