Is anyone else with the new Hunters, experiencing brown "staining" on top of the rub rails. My rubrails have a stain on them that I cannot remove. I have tried Greased Lighting, Starbrite, Wesley's cleaner for whitwall tires, Comet and even pure bleach. Nothing will touch it. I talked to Hunter today and they suggested using Acetone or Laquer thinner. I really hate to use these types of products for fear of harming the gellcoat adjacent to the rubrail material and causing drying and cracking of the rubrails in the future. I asked Hunter to put that recommendation in writing, as I am still in warrenty. If, at some future date, my rubrail cracks and falls off as a consequence of using lacquer thinner on the material, I will want some protection. These are pretty "hot" thinners and can cause some serious damage if used improperly. The thrust of my inquiry is to find out if any other owners of similar models, 310 - 340 - 380, which probably use the same rubrail material, are having similar staining problems. The person I spoke with at Hunter said he was unaware of any problems. However, the way my skeptical mind plays that back is, HE is unaware of any problems; that doesn't necessarily mean there are none. I would be interested in knowing if any other owners are experiencing similar problems. It seems to me that this type of material should be cleanable with some off the shelf cleaner and a little elboe grease --- but not mine. If that is the case, then I think my rubrail material is defective and should be replace under the warrenty. Anyone else have the same problem? Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
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You are not alone
All of us with those big grey rub rails are having this problem. Ours is nostly from the poles at some marinas. And yes acetone does work. We have been using it for a year now. No problem. Also, if you get a knick or a really bad stain, just sand it off. Did that to the transom rail and it came out like new. Rails should have been a dark color or not so large. That is our solution. Helen
All of us with those big grey rub rails are having this problem. Ours is nostly from the poles at some marinas. And yes acetone does work. We have been using it for a year now. No problem. Also, if you get a knick or a really bad stain, just sand it off. Did that to the transom rail and it came out like new. Rails should have been a dark color or not so large. That is our solution. Helen
Rub Rail Stains
I clean mine up with soft scrub and a brush and they clean up beautifuly. I then rub them down with a coating of armorall. Look like new.
I clean mine up with soft scrub and a brush and they clean up beautifuly. I then rub them down with a coating of armorall. Look like new.
My Rub Rails
Wynn, I am not xperiencing the staining that you report. I scrub with a brush with soapy water when scrubbing the decks and they are fine. The dealer used acetone when readying the boat for delivery 2 years ago to get some stains off of the rub rails and it has not seemed to cause a problem. The boat is now 2 years old. Maybe some kind of environmental pollution where you are??
Wynn, I am not xperiencing the staining that you report. I scrub with a brush with soapy water when scrubbing the decks and they are fine. The dealer used acetone when readying the boat for delivery 2 years ago to get some stains off of the rub rails and it has not seemed to cause a problem. The boat is now 2 years old. Maybe some kind of environmental pollution where you are??
Polution, maybe so...
Wayne makes a good point regarding the polution. It does look as if the stain is from some type of airborne polution. However, this boat has been in rural mid-Missouri for almost 2 years - away from any major city and industry.
Wayne makes a good point regarding the polution. It does look as if the stain is from some type of airborne polution. However, this boat has been in rural mid-Missouri for almost 2 years - away from any major city and industry.
same here
I tried blasting mine with a pressure washer... no luck. Bon Ami cleanser and a nylon scouring pad works fairly well, but i'm getting desperate enough to try the acetone solution. i worry that over a long period of time the acetone will soften up the rubrail material. any thoughts on this???
I tried blasting mine with a pressure washer... no luck. Bon Ami cleanser and a nylon scouring pad works fairly well, but i'm getting desperate enough to try the acetone solution. i worry that over a long period of time the acetone will soften up the rubrail material. any thoughts on this???
acetone's okay but...
immediately after using acetone to remove the stains, clean with water and a mild soap followed by a good application of a rubber sealer/protectant. We use Meguiar's. Keeps the rub rails cleaner much longer and protects from UV. /c s/v Twilight
immediately after using acetone to remove the stains, clean with water and a mild soap followed by a good application of a rubber sealer/protectant. We use Meguiar's. Keeps the rub rails cleaner much longer and protects from UV. /c s/v Twilight
Stained rubrail
We have the same problem with our 336. Just spray some "Fantastic" spray cleaner on it. It will bubble up slightly and can be removed with a very light abrasive type pad. Make sure you remove it before the Fantastic dries, or it won't be effective.
We have the same problem with our 336. Just spray some "Fantastic" spray cleaner on it. It will bubble up slightly and can be removed with a very light abrasive type pad. Make sure you remove it before the Fantastic dries, or it won't be effective.
Staining
Wynn, we've always had the same problem with the yellow-browning stain on the rub rail, however we've had excellent luck with the Greased Lightning and a product called Purple which we get at a auto supply store. Just spray on, let set for a short time and then rinse off. Then I follow with Armor-all. Our commisioning dealer uses Acetone, and claims it doesn't hurt anything. True???? Good Luck Pete Burger S/V KAILANI
Wynn, we've always had the same problem with the yellow-browning stain on the rub rail, however we've had excellent luck with the Greased Lightning and a product called Purple which we get at a auto supply store. Just spray on, let set for a short time and then rinse off. Then I follow with Armor-all. Our commisioning dealer uses Acetone, and claims it doesn't hurt anything. True???? Good Luck Pete Burger S/V KAILANI
Peal Products
I have a 340 and have had the same problem. Cleaned it up with Peggy Peals Bilge cleaner. Works like a charm. Chris "Festina Tarde"
I have a 340 and have had the same problem. Cleaned it up with Peggy Peals Bilge cleaner. Works like a charm. Chris "Festina Tarde"
Rub rail blues...
Wynn, We have the same problem and it looks like most Hunter's in our marina do too. Our '98 376 is in San Diego and over the last 6 months we've had to really scrub (2 people 1.5 hours each) the rail 3 times now. Our most recent attempt (last week) was with Soft Scrub w/bleach followed by a generous coat of Armorall. It looks good now but we'll see what it looks like in 2 months. Would appreciate a recommendation direct from the rail manufacturer (or Hunter). We've noticed that the brown stain is more pronounced on one side than the other. Could be sun, maybe pollution but it is a problem either way. We love the boat. Come on Hunter, you know we'd rather sail than have to clean the rail! Tom Miller s/v Silhouette
Wynn, We have the same problem and it looks like most Hunter's in our marina do too. Our '98 376 is in San Diego and over the last 6 months we've had to really scrub (2 people 1.5 hours each) the rail 3 times now. Our most recent attempt (last week) was with Soft Scrub w/bleach followed by a generous coat of Armorall. It looks good now but we'll see what it looks like in 2 months. Would appreciate a recommendation direct from the rail manufacturer (or Hunter). We've noticed that the brown stain is more pronounced on one side than the other. Could be sun, maybe pollution but it is a problem either way. We love the boat. Come on Hunter, you know we'd rather sail than have to clean the rail! Tom Miller s/v Silhouette
Now you guys are finally getting the idea.
Metal arches and metal toe rails = minimal maintenance! What a novel idea. See what we can do when we put our heads together<grin>.
Metal arches and metal toe rails = minimal maintenance! What a novel idea. See what we can do when we put our heads together<grin>.
Rubrail stains
We have the same problem on our 1998 376. There are brown stains in several spots. I hope this feedback is helpful to Hunter...
We have the same problem on our 1998 376. There are brown stains in several spots. I hope this feedback is helpful to Hunter...
Forget the acetone
In addition to the ordinary impossible stain, we also get the black goop off the posts in the slip. Acetone will take it off, but it takes almost a gallon and a couple of hours to do our 450. And it ruins your nail polish! We had a friend in Texas who had some stuff he called "mole cleaner" that worked real well. Nothing else has.
In addition to the ordinary impossible stain, we also get the black goop off the posts in the slip. Acetone will take it off, but it takes almost a gallon and a couple of hours to do our 450. And it ruins your nail polish! We had a friend in Texas who had some stuff he called "mole cleaner" that worked real well. Nothing else has.
Like new
Forgot about this product we used in the spring. Used it again today and the dirt came off even before wiping (with a cloth, no scrub brushes or pads). Even the yellow stains left after using the acetone came completely clean. Marykate Spray Away. Amazing stuff.
Forgot about this product we used in the spring. Used it again today and the dirt came off even before wiping (with a cloth, no scrub brushes or pads). Even the yellow stains left after using the acetone came completely clean. Marykate Spray Away. Amazing stuff.
Marykate Sprayaway?
Helen, I checked with Boater's World and they carry Marykate Rollaway ("a cleaner"), but not Sprayaway. Could you be thinking of "Rollaway?" If not, where might I find Sprayaway? I am desparate. I was at the boat this weekend and the brown stains are getting darker. It just looks awful. I tried acetone. Took 1 hour to get 5 feet done and still left light stain in places. I am concerned about the acetone pooling up between the rubrail and the gelcoat and dulling (or worse) the gelcoat. I think this is not a good solution for heavy staining. Too much downside. Thanks for your help!! Wynn Ferrel
Helen, I checked with Boater's World and they carry Marykate Rollaway ("a cleaner"), but not Sprayaway. Could you be thinking of "Rollaway?" If not, where might I find Sprayaway? I am desparate. I was at the boat this weekend and the brown stains are getting darker. It just looks awful. I tried acetone. Took 1 hour to get 5 feet done and still left light stain in places. I am concerned about the acetone pooling up between the rubrail and the gelcoat and dulling (or worse) the gelcoat. I think this is not a good solution for heavy staining. Too much downside. Thanks for your help!! Wynn Ferrel
No luck
Following my post last week, we inspected the results this week. The spots are already reappearing after only 1 week. Soft Scrub with Bleach and a lot of elbow grease works but the Armorall did not protect it. Hunter if you are listening, please make your recommendations. As minor as it seems, this problem is a pain.
Following my post last week, we inspected the results this week. The spots are already reappearing after only 1 week. Soft Scrub with Bleach and a lot of elbow grease works but the Armorall did not protect it. Hunter if you are listening, please make your recommendations. As minor as it seems, this problem is a pain.
Marykate ships direct
FYI, I called Marykate in Bohemia, NY today and they will sell and ship direct. They are shipping me a 32 oz bottle of their "Spray Away" and their catalog. I will field test Helen's recomendation and let you all know how well it works. Since I have tried so many products with NO reasonable level of success, I was a little skeptical of Helen's recommendation. However, something she said caught my attention. She said that "Spray Away" even removed the residual stain AFTER she finished cleaning with acetone. I did clean with acetone (5 feet in one hour) and found that it left a residual stain on the rub rail. So if Helen is saying that this stuff will remove the stain that even acetone would not remove AND it is easy to use ---- I CAN'T WAIT! I'll let you know. As of now my beautiful new Hunter 340 looks like someone emptied the holding tank on the rubrails. It's AWFUL..... You would think that Hunter or the rubrail material manufactuer would have a solution to this problem. From the sampling of responses to this post, it seems that enough owners have the problem and Hunter should be aware that it exists and have crafted a solution to solve the problem. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
FYI, I called Marykate in Bohemia, NY today and they will sell and ship direct. They are shipping me a 32 oz bottle of their "Spray Away" and their catalog. I will field test Helen's recomendation and let you all know how well it works. Since I have tried so many products with NO reasonable level of success, I was a little skeptical of Helen's recommendation. However, something she said caught my attention. She said that "Spray Away" even removed the residual stain AFTER she finished cleaning with acetone. I did clean with acetone (5 feet in one hour) and found that it left a residual stain on the rub rail. So if Helen is saying that this stuff will remove the stain that even acetone would not remove AND it is easy to use ---- I CAN'T WAIT! I'll let you know. As of now my beautiful new Hunter 340 looks like someone emptied the holding tank on the rubrails. It's AWFUL..... You would think that Hunter or the rubrail material manufactuer would have a solution to this problem. From the sampling of responses to this post, it seems that enough owners have the problem and Hunter should be aware that it exists and have crafted a solution to solve the problem. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
Ask the EXPERT
Wynn, Why don't you try to get help from Hunter by asking the Jim Bohart in Ask the Expert Forum, Jim can get all the answers and this seems like a popular concern. Mike DiMario
Wynn, Why don't you try to get help from Hunter by asking the Jim Bohart in Ask the Expert Forum, Jim can get all the answers and this seems like a popular concern. Mike DiMario
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