Gasket for Icebox Hatch????

[mvweebles]

I am looking for adhesive gasket material for a DIY fridge hatch. Needs to be pretty soft and compressable. Flange to mount it is about 1/2" wide (see diagram) and needs to compress so should be pretty soft. I thought I found the right stuff at McMaster but it's way too stiff to compress.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance -

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[pjShap]

McMaster does have soft, hollow material like what you show in the picture. I don't have a reference but bought some last year for re-gasketing a port. Maybe here:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/ga...e-mount-seals/? I think I ordered their Style F, and it was quite soft.

[AKA-None]

You can also check home shops that sell door seals I’ve seen and used for similar purposes

[GordMay]

About Compression Gaskets
Rubber gaskets are compressed or squeezed by a percentage of their original size. A gasket that compresses too much, or too little, will not form a proper seal.
According to ‘Elasto Proxy*’, the ideal compression percentage is 40%, the maximum is 50%, and the minimum is between 10 to 15%.
More ➥ https://www.elastoproxy.com/enclosur...t-compression/

* Elasto Proxy is an experienced gasket fabricator and creative problem-solver. For help with enclosure sealing, contact https://www.elastoproxy.com/contact-us/
1 (800) 263-1450

[Phyrcooler]

Originally Posted by GordMay

About Compression Gaskets
Rubber gaskets are compressed or squeezed by a percentage of their original size. A gasket that compresses too much, or too little, will not form a proper seal.
According to ‘Elasto Proxy*’, the ideal compression percentage is 40%, the maximum is 50%, and the minimum is between 10 to 15%.
More ➥ https://www.elastoproxy.com/enclosur...t-compression/

* Elasto Proxy is an experienced gasket fabricator and creative problem-solver. For help with enclosure sealing, contact https://www.elastoproxy.com/contact-us/
1 (800) 263-1450

This ^^^… plus ideally the gasket and its mating surface are parallel when gasket is optimally compressed. Essentially, what is the air gap (when gasket is absent) when the lid is closed and top surfaces flush? Properly designed, this should be the same all the way around. Flat thin sticks - ie: popsicle sticks can help you determine how thick of a gasket you should be looking for. Stack them in the gap - adding one at a time until the top surfaces are flush - then measure stick height to see what your compressed measurement should be.

[wholybee]

I bought mine at Amazon. Available in different widths and thickness.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[wholybee]

Also, rparts has gaskets for boat iceboxes:
https://www.rparts.com/index.php?cPa...q7foljpmg46p23

[Scrimshaw4]

Check Home Depot, Lowes or any decent hardware store for door gasket seals. They have them in all shapes, sizes and material. They are weather proof and come with a self adhesive backing. Have sourced from HD many times for refrig / frzr & hatches. JMHO

[Wayne Bostow]

Most of my gasket problems have been due to aging and shrinking.

Quite by accident I discovered that automotive coolant will cause swelling which is often what we need.

Also, WD40 may go beyond stopping the sticking and work to revitalize the rubber.

If you wish to lubricate without softening, try brake fluid. --WB