Gaskets

[islhopr]

So I just got a bunch of rubber Felpro gaskets in, and noticed one of the boxes was a repack. When I opened it I noticed the black rubber on the gasket was covered in a white substance instead.
None of the other gaskets appeared that way, just simply black. It seems like the rubber compound in making the gaskets may be detective? Or is that normal >?

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Its normal. Doesn't it resemble talcum powder or such? Doesn't it wipe off if you try to clean it?
I assumed it was a release agent in the forming process myself. I have gotten some rubber gaskets like that and I just cleaned them and never thought a thing about it or have any issues. I believe mine was a valve cover gasket IIRC.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

It may be an anti-dry rot agent to improve shelf life. Like Marty said, just wipe it off. I had never seen it before until recently I bought an OEM VC gasket and it was on there