How to Keep Moulding on Car Windows Clean

Car window moulding (also spelled molding) protects the interior of the door from the elements. Keeping the molding clean makes it last longer. Clean, flexible molding is less likely to crack and peel away. This area of the windows and doors is often overlooked during routine car care, but it shouldn’t be. Cleaning this rubber seal around the car windows is simple, doesn’t take very long, and may save you money from having to replace the seal in the long run.

Things You'll Need

  • Detailing brush
  • Cloth
  • Mild soap
  • Rubber and vinyl conditioner
  • Rubber protectant spray
  • Roll down your windows. Brush the rubber window seals with an auto detailing brush. This is to remove surface dust and road grit.

  • Dampen a cloth in warm water. Add a few drops of mild soap (dish soap is acceptable) to the cloth and scrub this over the molding. If molding is very dirty, switch to a clean area of the cloth frequently. or use a new damp cloth.

  • Wipe the molding down with a fresh, damp cloth to rinse off the soap. Allow the rubber molding to air dry.

  • Spray a vinyl and rubber conditioner on a clean cloth. Wipe the conditioner over the window molding. Autopia.org also suggests applying a rubber and vinyl protectant once a month to molding . You can apply this with a cloth or a sponge. Leave it on to soak into the rubber and then wipe it with a dry cloth. This protectant helps keep vinyl and rubber from drying out.