I have a 1987 740 Turbo which is overall in nice condition except recently the trim around both the windshield and the rear window is starting to look really ratty. The rubbery plastic material has become rock hard and brittle, and is shrinking a bit at the ends. These trim pieces are very hard to find and most are in similar condition, so I'm wondering if anyone makes an aftermarket rubbery material that I can use to restore the existing trim? It seems like something that would exist if I knew precisely what to search for and where to look. Also does anyone know for sure what type of plastic this is? I have a 240 Turbo also that the trim has turned leathery looking and brittle the same way. I would love to find something I could soak it in that would bring it back to life.

 

I went through this a few years back after the windshield guy broke the front molding on our 89 740. They searched the US and couldn't find a set and finally they found them in europe. Took a little over 3 months. Good luck finding any replacements. I would find an auto restoration place and see if they can help. NLA

 

Well I know the complete trim is NLA, but surely somebody out there must make extruded rubber bits that are similar to what Volvo used.

I've been doing some research and experimentation on this, using some broken scraps of trim. Soaking in some solvents does soften it up but it then dries out after a few days and becomes much worse than when it started. I have had some luck soaking for a few hours in brake fluid, that softened it up nicely and after several days it hasn't gone hard again. I would not try this on any usable trim just yet until more is known.

I came across this thread which looks promising:
Softening Hard Carb Boots

I have ordered some wintergreen oil and will give that a try. I found a bottle of Rubber Renew in my supply stash and found that the main ingredient in it is the same stuff. I tried soaking a small scrap in that but forgot it until hours later and the rock hard plastic had been transformed into soft, supple rubber, however it also grew about 30% larger than it was! I'll try this again with another scrap, this time keeping an eye on it and soaking in more reasonable increments.

I think there is some hope, it does not fix the leathery scaly look which is due to the molecules breaking down in response to the UV light but if I can restore the lost plasticizers and return the brittle shrunken material back to its original shape and flexibility that will go a long way toward reviving this trim.

 

Hey James,
How long did those last ones end up lasting? I have the exact same issue as OP on my 92 740 Estate and really want to find a good re-plasticiser for the trim and stuff.