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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Cleaning Rub Rail

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/18/2013 : 10:42:45

Thanks to Dave Elliott,

While prepping JD for the upcoming weekend sail, I converted the tarp to a tent so we could clean her up.

The Rub Rail looked really bad.

With a rag soaked in Acetone a few quick wipes and it made a big difference, but still quite a bit grimy.

Next I tried it on a pad of steel wool soaked in Acetone. WOW!

15 minutes and one side complete, a quick rub down with fresh water and the rub rail looks about 90% better, not sure I could get rid of most of the marks left as they were... well, typical rub rail marks from coming alongside to heavy.

<center>[url="https://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_system.cgi?VM+1000-2153"]

Click to View Full Sized Image[/url]
Rub Rail
Cleaned each side of the grimy section of Rub Rail using Wire Wool and Acetone.</center>

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 11:55:42

Nice!

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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 14:28:42

I've been using Armorall with good results. The acetone looks great. With both don't let it drip down on the hull as both will strip any wax off.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 16:19:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Peregrine
 With both don't let it drip down on the hull as both will strip any wax off.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Agreed John, and my harbor freight disposable gloves were a waste of time too!

Paul

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 18:03:36

I need to try this. I've tried everything else and nothing seems to work. I'm starting to think about replacing the whole rub rail, but I'll try this first.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 19:14:21

Have you tried MEK?

No scrubbing.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 19:16:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 Have you tried MEK?

No scrubbing.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I tried MEK. It did nothing.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 19:30:39

You'll be amazed at the results. I hesitate to clean mine like this simply because I don't want to be dripping acetone into the river, but next time I've got her out for the winter for projects and a new coat of bottom paint I will.

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GaryB
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4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 19:46:13

Won't any of the tiny bits of steel wool that might be stuck in the rubber molding rust after awhile?

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2013 : 08:17:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusaAgreed John, and my harbor freight disposable gloves were a waste of time too!

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I use surgical gloves for that kind of work, and so far they have resisted acetone, as well as every other nasty chemical solvent or compound that we use. Don't use natural latex gloves, because the chemicals will disintegrate them. Use the synthetic latex gloves. You can get them at most drug stores. The last time I bought them, they cost about $10-12. for a box of 100. Being thin, they can be punctured, but they're more rugged than you would expect, and, if one punctures, they are so cheap that you can just toss it and pull a new one out of the box.

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OJ
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Response Posted - 08/19/2013 : 10:54:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 Have you tried MEK?

No scrubbing.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I tried MEK. It did nothing.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's surprising

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 08/19/2013 : 11:27:47

MEK... While in the British Royal Navy, we received extensive warnings about the danger of MEK if it came in contact with eyes.

Definitely wear eye protection if using this chemical. And on the Rub Rail there is a good chance that the rail will be above eye height, drips and drops are very likely to occur (and no, I do not live in CA

)

Paul

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2013 : 13:14:32

I was occupationally exposed to MEK while working as a contractor for the USN after active duty. We used it to clean our two part epoxy paint sprayers. I was young & stupid, and dipped my hands into the cleaning tank up to my elbows. I figured out that it probably wasn't so good for me when the strap on my watch melted off my arm after a couple of days of doing it.

To this day if I get MEK on me, I get an immediate metallic taste of garlic in my mouth. I have a small can of it in my shop, but I go way out of my way to not use it. Acetone might be a little slower at a job, but that's my solvent of choice if alcohol won't cut what I'm working on.

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Nautiduck
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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2013 : 18:05:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Won't any of the tiny bits of steel wool that might be stuck in the rubber molding rust after awhile?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I avoid steel wool on the boat for just that reason. The little bits can break off and rust and stain the gelcoat. West Marine sells Bronze Wool which solves the problem.

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