Rub Rail Rehab

[tonyscj5]

I have an older aquasport that has the classic weathered rub rail, navy blue rubber outer with rubber "rope" inner that is nasty. The outside is not that horrible, just weathered. I have read about oil wet sanding the outer back into shape and replacing the inner w/ a nice piece of rope. Would not look great but better. The price of the replacement rubrails I have seen is outrageous.<br /><br />Anyone ever tried this, how did it work out? <br /><br />Anyone have any other ideas?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Mark42]

Re: Rub Rail Rehab

I would pull out the old inside tube, scrub the remaining rubber outer housing with a mild abrasive cleaner like Comet (not with bleach and not the wimpy new "soft scrub" version) to remove the dullness. Try a small area first incase it looks bad, but it should clean it up nicely. Stop at the local hardware store and bring a piece of the inside tube. They should be able to match you up with some vinyl or urathane tube the same size. If you can't get it in white, get it in clear and pour a little white paint through it! <br /><br />An inexpensive replacemnt for rubrail is auto body side molding. Holds up on cars in north and south climates, should hold up on a boat OK:<br /> JC Whitney Molding <br /><br />Let us know what you do. Always like hearing about solutions.