Rub rail extrusion

[Jim Morris]

I'm replacing my rub rail on a catalina 27. What is the best way to bend the aluminum extrusion around the corners. Do you screw it down till the corner, then bend it? How about the bow? I've looked in the archives and found lots of help there.The other question is, do you drill out the old screw holes or just calk them with 5200? Thanks

 

[Herb Schiessl]

forming aluminum

If you need to make a sharp bend, you might be able to form the aluminum around an object like a round limb or log after the aluminum is slowly heated with a torch to about 600 to 800 degrees which is the temprature that will ignight a dry stick of wood when placed on the heated aluminum. You might also see a very slight change in color or dullness. Too hot and it will melt, (1200) degrees.