I Need Gasket Help

[icemeister]

Replacing door gaskets has never been one my favorite things to do in this biz and I usually get through it without throwing a fit, but a little POS no-name pizza prep has stopped me cold at the git-go. I can't get the old one out to save my arse.:mad:

Here's the deal. It's a typical dart-mounted gasket set in a typical vinyl track slot and try as I might, I can't get the dang thing started to pull it out. I've tried starting at the corners and in the middle, carefully prying with a screwdriver, pulling with pliers, heating up with a heat gun, lubricating with silicon....all to no avail. It seems no matter what I try, it'll start to tear at the dart so I stop and move to another spot with no luck. I think possibly heating the whole door assembly in really hot water would do the trick, but I don't think Ms Icemeister would appreciate that grungy thing soaking in her bathtub.;)

I don't want to force it and get the dart stuck in the slot where I'll never get it out. Any suggestions?

[pecmsg]

Replacing door gaskets has never been one my favorite things to do in this biz and I usually get through it without throwing a fit,

Who are you kidding? We know better.:)


I think possibly heating the whole door assembly in really hot water would do the trick, but I don't think Ms Icemeister would appreciate that grungy thing soaking in her bathtub.;)

I’ll reserve comment on this for a later date!;)


Years ago I used a gentleman by the name of Henry Cook. You know the type of guy, he made it look easy. RIP Henry. Anyway he had a set of picks like you would use on packing material. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. If it didn’t then he would just let it rip then pull it out.

[the mojo]

Two things come to mind..... Dental tool picks or a hook & pick set that are used on spring removal for drum brakes on a car or truck. And a hot water soak.

[yotaman16]

Ive ripped one out that wouldnt break loose.. Pulled it till it ripped and left the bottom in the track and then pulled it with a hook set like mojo satated

[icemeister]

The wife's dental picks are off limits too. I may have to buy a set for this stupid job.:mad:

I'm getting close to throwing that fit now.;)

[yotaman16]

LOL theres nothing wrong with buyin tools.. Plus there a writeoff :)

[freezerfixer]

i had to replace a gasket on a walk in freezer door one time. i thought "this will only take about ten minutes"....... one and a half hours later, i finally get the old gasket out! it was the dart type. i used my mapp gas torch to heat the gasket up and then needle nose and a flat blade screwdriver to get it out, but it was still a bi*#ch!

remember.......if it was easy.....women and kids would be doing it!

[freezerfixer]

:d

[mardoman]

Ice,

Petrified gray door gaskets? I try to remove the door and use the restaurants' can wash area and clean the entire door assembly with hot water.
The restaurants around here are supposed to have 130 F hot water.
The hot water will usually loosen up the gasket and the tracks.

I've learned that Bev-Air, McCall and Victory are the worst. I wish they would reformulate those gray vinyl gaskets so they don't harden up over time.

I like the black door gaskets a lot better, usually they don't petrify and they hide that nasty :eek: stuff better.

[icemeister]

The can wash is a good idea. I'll check that out.

....or maybe I could stick it in the pizza oven for a while.;)

[shaun66]

send job to company that does doors, i have no time to dick with gaskets, carry cards for door guys, write bill for minimum call, hand card to customer. all good

[Dowadudda]

Gaskets suck

[Dowadudda]

I hate gaskets. Hate em. I'd rather shovel horse manuer. :eek: