Cleaning Hunter Rub Rails

[rfrye1]

I've searched the forums and only found a couple posts from 10-12 yrs ago about this. I'm sure there are new products or ideas to clean/spruce up the rub rails on my 1998 H376. ANy help/suggestions? I'm afraid to use a solvent.
thanks. Bob

 

[rgranger]

I have an orbital buffer that seems to make everything look better....it is really amazing how well they work... I got a cheap one at WalMart (someone is going to flame me) try buffing them with a very fine grit polishing compound and then use some Armor All or auto wax or one of those liquid blacking sprays for the auto tires to protect the rubber from looking dry.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

try wiping down with acetone changing out the rags constantly if the grey plastic which is what I did but you have to be careful with acetone. Comet or sanding is another unless something else. It has been a long time so I may be off here.

 

[JamesG161]

I'm afraid to use a solvent.

Yes, and you should never use solvent on rubber. Even new rub rail looks dull grey. Rubber is resistant to abrasion. I scrub mine down with my deck washing brush with deck cleaner and flush in the grove to get rid of algae.
Jim...

 

[Franklin]

I've used acetone many times and it works great and doesn't seem to harm anything at all. Just get a roll of paper towels, soak in acetone and rub on. In 5 minutes you can do the whole boat and be done with it.

 

[rfrye1]

I've used acetone many times and it works great and doesn't seem to harm anything at all. Just get a roll of paper towels, soak in acetone and rub on. In 5 minutes you can do the whole boat and be done with it.

Franklin, do you follow up with anything like armor-all?
Bob

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Speaking for my own maintenance, I use a cleaner called VIM .......

........... it contains an abrasive and is pretty nasty stuff but it really gets the grime off.

Far more important is to protect the vinyl after it's been cleaned. For that I use a product called ....................

This makes cleanup in the following year much easier.

I started doing this a few years after getting the boat new and after 16 years, the rub rails still look like new ...................

 

[Mikem]

I just use a little wax. Cleans and polishes. Sparkles like new.

 

[JamesG161]

I just use a little wax. Cleans and polishes. Sparkles like new.

Now that sounds like the best method if you want "sparkle". Get the cleaner/wax combo.

I looked up the Meguiar's restorer composition. It has a vinyl plasticizer and a moisturizer , kinda like a good skin cream. Rubber does not need either, but would probably look good for a while.
Jim...

PS:In my football days, a colored collision mark on my white helmet was a "badge of honor".

 

[Dan_Y]

3M's 303 Aerospace Protectant works well and has many other uses.

 

[M_Michaels]

I just removed some nasty black / brown marks from my hunter 380 rub rail. I used liquid spray "Goo Gone". It was like using 409 spray. Spray it on, wait a bit, and wipe it off. Rub rail looks like new. Try it.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I would love to have the members here submit cleaning issues and specific products that they had actually used. It would be good to know what does work and what products that were tried didn't work. I would be willing to compile a list if I am given inputs.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Actually acetone also works but have to wipe quickly using a lot of paper towels. However other means may work as well if not better. If pitted I did sand lightly the rub rail with wet and dry sandpaper. Now the new products seem to work and safer.