There have been a few threads on sticking door handles, but I think I have a different problem.

For a long time, I have found that the passenger front door sticks shut if it isn't used for a while. The handle works fine, but the door seal seems to be sticking to the frame. It needs someone inside to give it a good shove to open the door.

The car has been spending more time than usual sitting on the drive recently, and the same thing happened today with the driver's door. I had to climb in the back and push the door open from inside. Oddly, the back doors never stick.

Is there something I should use to clean around the doors to stop this - something that won't rot the rubber door seals?

I heard a few years ago that a little Talcum powder on the door seal does the trick.

Tim

quite common on caravans. They use silicon spray.

Has the advantage of repelling water also.

TagSouth said:

There have been a few threads on sticking doors

Is there something I should use to clean around the doors to stop this - something that won't rot the rubber door seals?

Click to expand...

Hi

Talc is probably kindest.. or vaseline/petroleum jelly

This question comes up in frosty weather too.. doors appear Welded Shut..!!

It has been happening to mine for a while now. As the doorseal rubber gets old, it gets a little sticky. Ideally, new seals would be the cure, but that is expensive.

Years of dirt may also be contributory, so a good clean might help, then talc or a dry silicone treatment would help it not to stick. Vaseline or other grease will do the job, but will get onto clothes as you get in and out, which will bring grief from your significant passengers.

Perhaps, with the compulsory lockdown, I might get off my rear and go do that job. A wipe over with upholstery cleaner would be a start.

Try something with the strange name of "gummi pflege". Works well on our Pandas.

Clean the seals with meths and give a coat of silicone spray or wax on the door seal/shut surface. DO NOT get silicone on the paint as it will be near impossible to clean off. Do not use petroleum jelly (grease) as it attacks rubber.

irc said:

Try something with the strange name of "gummi pflege". Works well on our Pandas.

Click to expand...

I will second "Gummi Pfledge".

I have used it for years - I think when it was recommended by VW for use on the rubber seals of the convertibles to replenish and rejuvenate the seals and to also stop them sticking in the hard winters. It is a very good product

Hi All

Wurth do a gummi pfledge or 'rubber fit'

and they are open for mail orders at the moment too

Tim

French chalk works wonders.
or just powdered blackboard chalk works as well.

09 johno said:

French chalk works wonders.
or just powdered blackboard chalk works as well.

Click to expand...

I've got some blackboard chalk. I wonder if I can sneak the grater out of the kitchen?

Strange old thing, took the Panda for essential shopping today, not driven it for a couple of weeks, and all 4 doors were stuck shut...……..Now where did I put that chalk?

Resurrecting an old thread...

I eventually tried spreading Johnson's Baby Powder over the seals. It's working so far.

TagSouth said:

Resurrecting an old thread...

I eventually tried spreading Johnson's Baby Powder over the seals. It's working so far.

Click to expand...

And it smells nice.

But will turn to glue when wet!

09 johno said:

But will turn to glue when wet!

Click to expand...

Excellent..
I will put some on my 135/13's

09 johno said:

But will turn to glue when wet!

Click to expand...

Does that happen on a baby's bum?

That's great advice as this seams to happen to all cars (even my brothers car which is less than one year old) something to do with the molecular structure of rubber that causes it