reseal rub rail
- Thread starter james295
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I did mine and it wasn't a huge deal. Lowes sells a kit that has a plastic caulk hook and silicone corner spreaders. I had many leaks that were fixed by doing the rail. Clean out all the old caulk and dirt. I wet a rag with acetone and went down between the rail and hull. Once it was all clean I used Lifecaulk and it is sealed great. I had a leak above fixed light in the aft berth by the sink, that one was stopped. Also a V-berth leak in the little compartments. Those came from where the anchor roller seals to the hull and back down to the rub rail. It also helps if you have a floating dock to keep her at a decent working height.
clean it well and tape it off like you were going to paint it, tape both the rail and the hull or deck, but very close to the joint. apply the sealer and fair it out with your finger or the tool of your choice. then remove the tape as soon as you are finished..... it will look great.
I like to use my finger for doing it because i can feel any dry spots or where more sealant is needed.... and some tools will just remove the excess sealer from the top of the bead, your finger will push it up and into the recess of the joint as you fair it out..... less waste and a better seal. and the tape barrier will allow for a lot of mistakes or do overs without getting sealant all over the place. but if you dont make mistakes or need a do over, it still makes it a cleaner better looking job....
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