Rubber rub rail refurbishing

[Ctskip]

Hows that for a tongue twister? Seriously, My 23 yr old boat has a rubber rub rail and it's looking sun beat and porous and dry. What is anything can I do to help get another 23 yrs out of it and make it look and feel better? Thanks all Keep it up, Ctskip

 

[jeff s]

rubrail

I replaced mine on a 20 year old and it helped to make the boat a lot nicerTry rudy ay d@r marine

 

[Stu Jackson]

Try acetone and then waxing it

Fleetwax works for us on a 20 year old boat. Easier than replacing.

 

[Stephen]

If its in really bad shape...

first use a green scotchbrite pad and comet (powder form) to get off most of the crud...them acetone and wax like Stu said. If its real dirty you will find this method to be quicker than just starting with acetone.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Two things

I second scotchbrite & Comet.Also try Magic Eraser, which works everywhere. Then be sure to wax the surface.

 

[Bill; S/V Calico Dragon]

I'd Try ...

...starting with a Scotchbright pad as others have suggested. Hopefully the dry rubrail material you are seeing will have provided a protective skin for the rubber underneath. Then go to the chemical when you think you are nearing good rubber. I recently got my rubrail back to original by using the Island Girl Sea Glow / Silkenseal products. I read about then here and they worked great on the rubrail, the lifelines and the fenders. A little pricy but the results were worth it in my opinion.

 

[paphman]

320 wet-dry

I just finished my rub rails on our C-22. I did them with 320 wet-dry sand paper. When I was done I put armorall on them. If I told you they were just replaced, you could not tell the differance. Try it on a small area on the stern, and you will be a beleaver.Dale