Old old old rubber??????

[Robert Thiemrodt]

I know this appears impossible. The rear view mirror gasket in the picture was purchased from one of the two most popular 356 parts suppliers. I purchased it and installed it about two months ago. While wiping the car down tonight over a bourbon and cigar, I noticed this is now the condition of the gasket. The car has not sat in the sun, or cold for even one hour. I also purchased a shift boot from the same supplier and it cracked in two after about 500 miles of driving. Why is this? Anybody else experience this? I can only assume these pieces were sitting on a shelf for many many years for this to happen. Where is the best place to purchase these items?? Thanks!!

[Sean M Rooks]

I installed new taillights from Stoddard and had the same problem. After maybe a month or even less they were cracked and look horrible.

Would appreciate a good reco for rubber that doesn't do this.

[Mike Wilson]

I'd try Terry at International Mercantile.

Mike

[Jim Nelson]

I'd try Terry at International Mercantile.

Mike

+1

[Adam Wright]

The same thing is happening with the windshield rubbers, as well as the door rubbers that are too proud to close the door.

It's not old rubber, it's the stiffness of the rubber that is being produced now. There was a company that popped up several years ago that was selling quality, supple rubber, at a premium, but I think they have gone back to doing only Italian cars.

[David Jones]

I think that International Mercantile is your best bet. Veloce space is now a vendor of shoes. Looks like they sold the name.

[Emil Wojcik]

Same problem for me with the rubber for the licence plate lights on my '64, from Stoddard. After about six months they looked worse than the originals they replaced. But the rubber for the tail light, front turn signals, door handles, etc. all look fine almost 15 years later. Bought at the same time as the licence plate light rubber. All from Stoddard.

[Robert Thiemrodt]

I'll try International Mercantile. I was happy to have replaced this gasket with access through the round plate on the door, and not dropped the nuts into the door. I hoped I was good for years. Now it's round two. Thanks for the suggestions!!!

[Sebastian Gaeta]

Interesting to learn that others have this problem with rubber other than windshields too. I replace the clock gasket on my cars pretty regularly, they seem to get old looking and cracked really fast, but for some reason not the other gauges. Anyone else have this issue?

[Norm Miller]

Pack up and run, there's something in the air!

Just finished a resto with I M rubber.
I'll keep you posted.

[Dan Epperly]

New rubber by and large is garbage. It's one area where technology has declined vs advanced it seems. When I did my B a couple years ago, I reused any rubber that was in decent condition. I renewed it with Lystrol and it looks great and still performs well. I even reused my door seals. Speaks volumes when 50 year old rubber lasts longer then brand new stuff.

[Mike Wilson]

Sebastian: I haven't had any problems with the guage gasket including the clock. If I recall correctly, the gasket came back from Palo Alto Speedometer when I had a quartz movement installed. I don't know where they source their guage gaskets.

Mike

[Olivier Auvray]

I.M. is a good place in USA.

About the Italian stuff:

http://www.cicognaniguarnizioni.it/Porsche-353