How to clean caravan window seals and stop them sticking
Chris Hogan, 3rd July 2015, Caravan
Over the last year or so we've done a few articles on cleaning caravans. While researching one on cleaning and renovating plastic windows, we noticed there's quite a lot of controversy about window seals – how to clean them and how to stop them sticking or perishing.
Let us know what works for you
This is the type of article where we're going to declare from the start that we don't consider ourselves the absolute experts in this matter. It's you, the readers, with a vast collective experience in these matters, who are really the experts.
So although we're going to put out what we believe is the best advice here, do please email in and let us know if it matches with your experience – or even if it doesn't.
Basic cleaning
Assuming your seals are in good condition and don't stick, cleaning is quite straightforward. Warm soapy water and a good rinse is all you need, then wipe off and leave the windows open if possible to dry thoroughly. Don't use detergents like washing up liquid or car shampoo as it seems the residue they leave behind encourages sticking.
It's what to do next that causes controversy. The key is to find a lubricant or barrier that will sit between the perspex of the window and the rubber of the seal to prevent sticking but – and this is the crucial point – without damaging the seal.
Opening the windows every now and then is probably the best solution but that's not really practical with touring caravans or holiday park statics which you have to leave for six to eight months over winter.
Which product?
Some people swear by Vaseline, olive oil and grease while others are adamant that they will all react with compounds in the rubber and cause it to break down.
Silicone spray is recommended instead – furniture polish is often silicone based but check the can. Other caravanners have recommended Halfords Silicone Lubricant armorall car cockpit cleaner and Thetford Seal Lubricant but we haven't used either of these so can't recommend them ourselves.
French chalk
Another option is French chalk (magnesium silicate) which is used by gymnasts and divers. It also used to come in bicycle puncture repair kits (maybe it still does?) with a little grater, but you'd have to buy a lot of those to dust just one caravan window!
A lot of caravanners prefer it because dirt and dust will stick to liquid lubricants but not French chalk. Just Google 'French chalk powder' to find stockists. You can also buy it in solid bars which might be easier to store, but you'll have to grind them down to a powder.
Note that some caravanners have tried talcum powder but found it wasn't as effective.
Unsticking window seals
If you're unlucky enough to find your windows already stuck, then patience will be required. Spray silicone around the seal and run your finger gently around the join to lift the seal as much as possible, allowing the spray to get into the join as much as possible.
Then leave it to seep into the gap. The next day gently work a thin spatula into the gap and ease it round the window, keeping the spatula hard against the window. If there's extreme resistance or the seal starts breaking away, leaving clumps on the window, stop, re-apply the silicone spray, leave it for another day then try again.
If it really is impossible you will have to do the best you can, then replace the seals. Hopefully it won't come to that.
WD40?
Note that some people suggest WD40 for this and, being a thinner liquid with a solvent component, it might well penetrate better than silicone spray. But it will also react with the rubber, so it's really only to be used as a last resort and the only alternative is tearing the seals to pieces.
After you've freed the windows off, wash the seals with soapy water, rinse and dry well to remove any trace of solvents.
Avoid pressure washers!
That's our final tip – if you want to use a pressure washer to clean your caravan stand well back and keep it away from window and door seals. In fact it's best not to use them at all.
