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I stopped using GP a few years ago for that very reason. Purchase some Krytox GP105 from MB or direct from 'GBR Tech' (watch out for cheap fakes on ebay) as @Chrishazle mentioned it is expensive at about £40 for a small bottle - but it will last you forever as the tiniest amount goes a long way. It is what MB uses and so far after about 3 years, it is still good after my original application. Having used both I can state that It actually works better than GP & doesn’t collect dirt. I’ve also used it on my automatic garage doors where teh rubber seals were grabbing and it solved the problem
Below is some of the feedback I got from the importers of Krytox (GBR Tech) - worth a quick read and will probably convert you to Krytox.
Hi Rory,
Just picking up on your communications with Emma – appreciate you feeding back to us.
Whilst intended for similar application to Krytox GPL105, Gummi Pflege is a different chemical type.
Krytox is a synthetic fully fluorinated oil – not derived from petroleum. Think of it as a liquid form of PTFE.
I understand Gummi Pflege to be a water-based product – an emulsion type which contains silicone and other additives, which may provide the lubrication to seals.
Krytox is effectively a 100% active oil, Gummi Pflege will be significantly less than 100% active – the water present in the formulation only acting as a sacrificial carrier to leave behind the active components.
In terms of service life – it is unrealistic for any such topically applied product to claim to be ‘permanent’ as it will be affected by environmental factors.
The most significant in the context of a folding-roof mechanism is that the lube-film life will be dependent on how many times the roof is opened and closed during a typical spring/summer season (forgotten what that is like!!!).
To put some data to this – historically, the manufacturers of Krytox flame-tested pieces of treated weatherstripping/roof/door seal elastomer and ‘fingerprinted’ the levels of fluorine over a duty cycle of several million movements over the course of 4 years – and measured comparable levels to the start-point.
This is a consequence of how low the volatility/evaporation rates are for Krytox, and an indication of what is possible in terms of ‘life’.
Krytox also has an incredibly low coefficient of static friction – this is why it is so effective at eliminating stick-slip – the phenomenon which gives rise to seal squeaks and creaks.
Krytox is also approved and recommended by most of the major Automotive OEMs for NVH issues, including Daimler Benz – most sell the same product under their own part number as a service item, typically at prices higher than we can supply on behalf of the manufacturer.
Specifically for MB SLK – I had some contact with Jeremy Stevens some years ago - he came onto us as an MB SLK owner, and subsequent Krytox customer.
Unbeknown to us at the time, turns out he was the Technical Director for the Mercedes Benz Gazette – MB owners club journal – and went on to publish an editorial regarding Krytox which was not initiated or sponsored by us or the manufacturer.
I attach a copy of the entry for information.
From a practical perspective, I have used it on several of my own vehicles with dramatic results.
I had a BMW E36 cabrio which creaked horrifically when I acquired it, Krytox silenced this – car was transformed.
My current daily driver is a 2012 Seat Ibiza – and when purchased at 6 months old, the two-piece drivers door grab handle creaked equally horrifically every time I gripped it to close the door.
I popped the handle apart and applied a thin film of Krytox GPL105 to the mating surfaces, reassembled – and today, after nearly 7 years of regular use, there is no noise from that same door handle..
My current indulgence is a 2016 M135i which I’ve had for a year – seals were bone dry when I bought it and there was some creaking (exaggerated by the admittedly by the stiff chassis..) – eradicated by thin film of Krytox.
Apart from seal creaks – Krytox also sheds water, and prevents door glass and seals from freezing in winter, reducing risk of damage when doors are opened.
This is particularly relevant to cars where door-glass indexes down as the door handle is operated in order to clear roof fabric when opened.
You will achieve several complete treatments of the roof/door seals from a single applicator bottle – a little goes a long way.
You’ll also find it to be brilliant for treating any other cockpit creaks – leather seat bolsters, seat-console interface, fascia noise etc etc.
It has indefinite shelf life, so will sit on a garage shelf very happily.
All in all, a genuine wonder product – and for less than half the price of a tank of fuel for the SL which may only last a couple of hours!
Apologies for the rambling, Rory – but being a frustrated Chemist (!) - having cut my teeth at Castrol many years ago, I am such an enthusiast for Krytox – as you can probably tell.
Hope this helps – let me know if you need any more input.
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