hard rubber rub rail restoration

[Mark Maulden]

The S2 has a black rub rail at the hull/deck join. At least I think it's hard rubber. Maybe it's a vinyl or plastic product....33 yrs old and has oxidation etc etc. My wife is adamant that we (I said she) get it back to black. Any ideas on products?

 

[centerline]

a power buffer and some 3M "super duty" rubbing compound......
or a scotchbrite pad and acetone..... either choice will remove the oxidized layer.

 

[Lake Superior Sailor]

On my Cal, it was white and chalking & shrunk . I found it better to replace it. The new stuff is a better product , cost around 300. bucks - But so much better....Dale

 

[RonRelyea]

FWIW: saw this mentioned on another sailing forum. they used it on winches and said it worked well

http://www.foreverblack.com/products.html

I have never used it myself ... I have no affiliation with the product or company

 

[mark_swart]

It's anodized aluminum - the one on my '86 is also oxidized. I have tried scrubbing, cleaning with acetone, soap and scotchbrite pad, all to no avail. You can Armor All it and it will look better for a very short time, but I think the only long-term solution is to paint it.
If you do find a miracle cure please keep me updated, I'd love to know! That foreverblack looks like it might be worth a look!

 

[Mark Maulden]

The 36' is not aluminum. I'm going to try some of the suggestions above when it warms up a bit. Was looking at the "forever black" and it seems it's a dye. I also remembered I have a detailing kit that came with my truck 5 yrs ago. Still have it and I'll the tire dressing that came with it. Trying to find out if there are silicones in it. I really don't want to use anything with silicone. ie armourall...

 

[centerline]

the best suggestion that has been posted is to just replace it, but sometimes it really isnt worth the cost at this time when it can be reasonably restored for a few more years with a bit of "elbow grease"
and you cant paint over it successfully until the oxidation is gone... or else the paint/dye/rubber black will just rub off when it gets up against something. if you paint it with anything, you should remove any oxidation if you want it to hold.... its like painting over oxidized paint... it will look better for a short while, but all its doing is postponing the problem of doing it correctly while adding another layer to deal with when the time comes to do it right...