Slide out seal conditioner

[Ranchhand]

Does anyone have a specific conditioner that they prefer to use on there slide seal. There is a ton of options just not sure what I should use. Also how are you guys applying the conditioner. Are you spraying it on and then running a brush over it.

[Logan X]

I use baby powder in a sock to apply a coat of baby powder to the seals. The reason I use baby powder is it will help keep the rubber soft and it will not attract dirt. I could be wrong, but I think the Keystone Owners Manuel says not to use any conditioner on the slide seals. I think the main concern is attracting dirt.

[John&Genny]

Originally Posted by Logan X

I use baby powder in a sock to apply a coat of baby powder to the seals. The reason I use baby powder is it will help keep the rubber soft and it will not attract dirt. I could be wrong, but I think the Keystone Owners Manuel says not to use any conditioner on the slide seals. I think the main concern is attracting dirt.

The owners manual tells you not to use any grease or petroleum products on the slide system, but I believe they are referring to the undercarriage and gear system, not the seals. I’ve used both Thetford and Camco seal treatment and they seem to do well in keeping the seals soft and working as they should.

If you do lube the slide gears, I would definitely say a dry lube would be the only thing you should use.

[ChuckS]

Been using baby powder with sock for about 40 years. You also want to slightly close slides and then work baby powder around the inside seals on your slides.. keeps them in good condition and seals won’t stick and tear

[MattE303]

Do the purpose made conditioners also make the seals more slippery? I tried baby powder as others are suggesting but it made the seals too slippery, to the point where they wouldn't 'flip' like they supposed to when the slide goes in/out, I had to wipe it off so they would work properly. I'd be interested in a conditioner that protects the rubber seals from drying and cracking but doesn't make them too slick.

[sourdough]

When using your trailer and deploying the slides for any length of time is rain, wind, dirt, tree droppings etc. the seals will get the above on them regardless of what is on them. I always clean my seals both inside/outside (front/back) with a rag soaked in alcohol or I've used glass cleaner. Let it dry, apply 303 to front and back and let it soak/dry a bit then go back with a clean dry towel and "buff" it off. Seems to work well and keeps the seals very nice and pliable. IMO do not use the canned products sitting on the shelf in CW and other places labeled as "slide seal dressing" or treatment or whatever. They DO leave a film and, when applied by the SM at the dealership to show me how good it worked, caused my slide to start sticking......

[Lee]

Aerospace 303!!!!!!

[JRTJH]

^^^ One more vote for 303. I clean my slide seals with alcohol, let them dry, then wipe them with a good coating of Aerospace 303. It soaks into the seals and keeps them supple. I haven't felt the need to buff that coating off, it seems to dry "clean" on my seals.

[Wxman]

Hmmm.... I tried 303 because I liked it so well in other applications. Maybe I did it wrong, but my slide started to 'chatter' when deploying or retracting. I had to wipe it off the best I could and return to using the 'Protect All' Slide Seal conditioner my dealer originally supplied to me. I was not, and am not, using baby powder in addition to the 303 or Seal Conditioner. ???

[busterbrown]

Originally Posted by Wxman

Hmmm.... I tried 303 because I liked it so well in other applications. Maybe I did it wrong, but my slide started to 'chatter' when deploying or retracting. I had to wipe it off the best I could and return to using the 'Protect All' Slide Seal conditioner my dealer originally supplied to me. I was not, and am not, using baby powder in addition to the 303 or Seal Conditioner. ???

Same here. I had severe chatter and jerking after applying 303 to the side seals and bottom wear plate. I used soap and water on all the surfaces that I applied it too. Then reapplied a light coating of baby powder (with a dry rag) to the forementioned surfaces. Been doing this for the last 4 seasons. Slide action is quiet as a mouse and the seals look brand new still. I don't apply 303 to the slide exterior side walls, so my seals flip without convincing them.