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Rub Rail Discoloration

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ppetracca
Navigator

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USA
163 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/31/2002 : 18:27:06

Since bringing this boat to Albuquerque from the Dallas area, the mold has dried out and the boat is starting to look presentable. Hours of scrubbing with Soft-Scrub, bleach and teak cleaner has restored most of the exterior surfaces.

However, the tan rub-rail remains filthy. I've tried bleach cleaners, degreasers, solvents and Comet. Any suggestions how to get the tan color back? I know I can replace it, but it is in excellent shape, it just looks bad.

Sidenote: I love this forum, in a couple weeks I've gained more knowledge then 3 1/2 years in the '22 association. Thanks for making this place "novice friendly"

Patrick Petracca
#4795 -name STILL pending-

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Danielle
Deckhand

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17 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 18:39:14

The original color is tan......? Wow, never knew. Guess I have some cleaning to do.
Danielle

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 18:50:15

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...However, the tan rub-rail remains filthy. I've tried bleach cleaners, degreasers, solvents and Comet. Any suggestions how to get the tan color back? I know I can replace it, but it is in excellent shape, it just looks bad.

...Patrick Petracca
#4795 -name STILL pending-
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Patrick – I have boat #4762 and my rub rail is tan. The cleaners you are using are as good as you can do the black spots will take a scrubby and elbow grease but tan is the color.
So when will the naming happen? Don’t forget the renaming ceremony.
I'm glad you enjoy the forum. The Assoc. offers many other assets and I hope you join the Assoc. to support the forum and the web site.
 

[url="http://www.peregrinefund.org/"]<img src="http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/intro_mid_image.GIF" border=0>[/url]
 John G- "PEREGRINE" C25-#4762 FK

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 19:06:03

Here are a few suggestions from a previous topic:

A while back I remember reading some posts as to the secret formula
to clean up those nast looking rub rails. I just pulled my boat out
of the water on Saturday to do some general maintenance, I wanted to
clean up my rails. - Rich Obrosky, Magnolia, TX

"...try lacquer thinner and a paper towel. worked great for me..." - Rick Heaverly, "Invictus"

"I used soapy water and a Scotchbrite pad. It worked very well and is no toxic." - Lowell Heenan, Dreamer 5655

"I use No. 7 polishing compound with my electric polisher." - OJ

"I agree with Lowell, previously I had tried a few of the cleaners/chemicals that were mentioned on the old forum, I just use water and a Scotchbrite pad and then spray off the residue and put 2 coasts of 3M wax......looks great." - Steve Steakley, Moon Chaser #385wk

"Lowell! you da man! I used a Scotchbrite pad with No. 7 polishing compound. It even got rid of the mildew that was just beneath the surface!" - OJ

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
Catalina

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 19:27:07

My rubrail looks a bit on the nasty side too, and I am going to try to clean it up. However, if the cleaning is going to be a chore and the results are only marginal, I may just blow the dust from my wallet and buy the grey replacement rubrail I've heard so many raving about.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
Catalina

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 19:28:37

Pat,
I've tried numerous products and utensils and thus far have gotten the best results using No. 7 White Polishing Compound and 3M Heavy Duty Stripping Pads. I applied a product that eliminates dulling and restores softness for vinyl, leather and rubber for the first time this season. The rub rail looks as good as the day I applied it. It's called Preserve made by Seapower Marine Products.
Gee, apparently I just repeated myself!

Edited by - OJ on 10/31/2002 19:31:30

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 20:46:01

In a book entitled "The Sailors Sketchbook", a wonderful read, Bruce Bingham the designer recommends a water soluble paintbrush cleaner for almost any really tough job. I tried it on some "pronounced dead" fenders and got a little more life out of them, but follow instructions on can (when product fails, read can, etc) Ron Orion #2343 SW FL

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n/a
deleted

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7 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2002 : 07:57:58

In my experience, acetone has worked the best. I pour it on an old piece of towel an all it takes is a light rubbing on the rub-rail and the black stuff is gone. Just be careful not to let any excess drip on the hull as it will leave a dark streak. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to use rubber gloves to protect your hands.

As long as we are sharing cleaning tips, Tilex mildew spray will work great for cleaning (cheap) red wine stains off of fiberglass. Speak from personal knowledge. <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Rick Fried
1985 C-25 "Velero"

Edited by - on

LOREN SOUERS
Navigator

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USA
100 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2002 : 11:56:01

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
My rubrail looks a bit on the nasty side too, and I am going to try to clean it up. However, if the cleaning is going to be a chore and the results are only marginal, I may just blow the dust from my wallet and buy the grey replacement rubrail I've heard so many raving about.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
Catalina
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Don,
I installed the new grey rubrail stuff two springs ago. That little job is no snap either. They suggest youuse a hair dryer to soften up the rubber. That didn't seem to make it much easier. If the old stuff isn't too bad, you might just want to try to save it. $$ too.

Loren

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2002 : 14:07:27

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
The original color is tan......? Wow, never knew. Guess I have some cleaning to do.
Danielle

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
It depends Danielle. Some models had grey (gray) as an original color.

As for the Acetone - over the long haul, it will begin to degrade the rubber. Stick with OJ's method...scotch brite and a #7 polish. Although, paying transportation on 7 people from poland sounds a bit expensive....

Oh and if you do use acetone, wear gloves whether you have sensitive skin or not!!!

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d603b3127cce9f858f0ef3ef0000001010" border=0>

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.