Good call on the rubber treatments—I’ve noticed the same thing myself. Silicone sprays feel like a quick fix, but yeah, they fade pretty fast, especially with harsh weather. I've used automotive rubber conditioners on my patio door seals (they were getting cracked and brittle), and it made a noticeable difference. Definitely softer and holding up better so far.
It's cool to see someone else having success with this approach. And honestly, spending a little extra time every few months beats shelling out for replacement seals or worse, new windows altogether. Thanks for sharing your experience...makes me feel better about sticking with the rubber conditioner route!
"Silicone sprays feel like a quick fix, but yeah, they fade pretty fast, especially with harsh weather."
Yeah, silicone sprays haven't really worked well for me either. Curious though, has anyone tried marine-grade rubber conditioners? I used some leftover stuff from my boat on the window seals in my garage last year, and surprisingly, they've held up great through winter and summer. Wondering if there's something specific in marine products that helps them last longer...might be worth checking out for house windows too.