Window rubber seals dry / perished

Evening all,
Are there any top tips for either replacing or aiding rubber window seals which seem to have totally dryed out as my car was it stored inside for most of its life (see picture)?

Thanks in advance.

unfortunatly you will need to replace them if you want them looking better

You could clean them with a tooth brush and warm water and recoat in some sort of silicone/bumper sprays on the market.
This won't make them look any better if they have started to fall apart/crack but it does make them last longer and stop them getting worse, if you are looking to get them looking like new then you will need to buy some new ones.
The ones you have fitted will do there job and work fine.

There's a company in Germany that does new ones.

I bought to a couple a few months ago and I have photo's on my mobile but I can't transfer them to this device.
So I'll up load them from there and write more on this device if you get my meaning!  

The old.



The new 

Right then, what a pain in the butt that was jumping from one device to the other, anyhow.

Clearly the 1st is the old like yours and many other people.
The 2nd and 3rd are the new as is the 4th but unfortunately every time I want to take photos the light and or shadow is poo.

But take a look again at the 4th pic because it's not perfect and I'll explain why.
The originals have a small steel rib running the length of them (can't show it) take one off and you'll see what I mean.
These new ones don't, they are lighter in the hand and not so stiff.

I think inside the door there's 5 very small clips that hold them it in place and the strength is provided by the steel rib to keep the perfectly straight and flat.
Which these do not have!

So they ripple a tiny bit over (funny enough) some of the clips!!!
Now to someone who doesn't know that there's a 99.9% chance they will never even notice but I do.  

Okay, fitting them unless you're extremely lucky would mean taking the inside door panel off.
Because as sure as God made little apples, one or more of those clips are going to fall to the bottom of the door.

But once they're fitted to the naked eye they look perfect.  

Now I've just checked with my supplier in Austria and although the on the packet they are made in Germany they don't ship to consumers or abroad but I'll double check that myself if someone wants me to no problem.

I asked my Guy and he said he can get a quantity if I want them but at this point I'm not interested in doing that because you might find elsewhere, who knows!

Anyhow, they do look very good just like the originals and I will be ordering the rest of the set for my car.

Hope this all helps!   

These seals are available from VW Classic parts now, they're €35 each but post is approx €30 on top.

http://shop.volkswagen-classic-parts.de/vwcp/golf-caddy/golf-1-cabrio/body/exterior/window-slot-seal-golf-convertible-155837473c.html

Funkstar sells some too for £88…

http://www.classic-vw.co.uk/mk1-golf-cabriolet-glass-scraper-seal-external-155837475b-7942-p.asp

VW heritage sells reproduction ones as well.
Not sure if your car is a tin top or floppy top?
https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/golf-cabriolet/mk1-cabrio-body/seals-door-window/

Thanks for all the replies guys, appreciate everyones input.

Just looked at the suppliers photos mentioned above and I'm sure they're coming out of the very same place as mine.

No center steel rib but who cares, it's better than what we've got, right!    

Might give the suggestion of: -  

"You could clean them with a tooth brush and warm water and recoat in some sort of silicone/bumper sprays on the market."

Before I purchase new ones, just incase it does the trick (fingers and toes crossed).   

If they clean up okay then try some Gummi Pflege this works wonders on door seals and also stops them sticking in the winter,  just got some for my Smart Car which had been in storage over 5 yrs and they are like new again now.  can get it in eBay.

Thanks Richard, that looks good stuff, will give the seals a clean first and see how it goes.

Going back to when you came round a wee while back, seems it just the inner passenger rear bulb light tray I need to replace rather than the whoel unit, just need to find one now!!

PS still trying to find someone with a wet VAX to do the seats and roof.  

brake fluid supposedly works on old rubbers, though you'll want to have them off the car before you try it! not messed with this myself mind so take care!

Light sand down with fine paper can help depending on how bad the cracks are or deep I should say.
I've not tried this myself but there's a product called captain tolley's creeping crack cure. Seriously I'm not making it up.  Google it…
Not sure whether it acts as a filler.?
As pointed out prevention better than cure..
You can use 303 aerospace protectant on all surfaces like that inc door cappings, dash etc which can invariably crack. UVA RAYS damage from the sun. 303 is like a sun cream for those areas.
Ideal on vynil cabby roofs.

http://www.typ-17.de/index.php/cat/c2409_Seals-Golf-MK-I-Convertible.html  stuff i ordered came within3 days, fitted ok.. looks better than did… not sure if sealing ,since i fitted ive not been home..