[douglasb]

Hello. Does anyone have any tips for preventing the "dripping" of white residue from my white rubrails which have become "chalky/oxidized" over the years. They are still very functional but I don't like the appearance of the white streaking down my hull. Is replacing them my only option? I'm just worried that the same thing will occur eventually. Has anyone tried any topical applications of any products to the rub rails to prevent this white residue from bleeding down the hull. Thanks in advance. (It's on an Ericson 30+ 1980 - I'm not sure but I assume they are the original rub rails - and I'm in sunny/steamy florida)

 

[Capt Len]

Not much info to go on but Cetol can be a great stabilizer. Light applications with a rag and with any lucky might end up looking like wood.

 

[tempest]

What is the material?

 

[douglasb]

Thanks Capt. Len, that might be worth a try. Tempest I'm not sure but I'm assuming vinyl. If I accidentally touch them my arms/fingers are just if I had touched white chalk.
I'll try to post some pics.

 

[ccriders]

Try an acetone wash. It worked on my 1976 rub rail. Then, after cleaning put some armor all on it. Try the acetone in a small non-critical area to see how it reacts with the material on you boat.
John

 

[Tanley]

Try an acetone wash. It worked on my 1976 rub rail. Then, after cleaning put some armor all on it. Try the acetone in a small non-critical area to see how it reacts with the material on you boat.
John

This works very well to clean up the rub rail (not sure it will get rid of the chalk like surface though). Move quickly and don't spend too long on any one spot or the acetone will begin to gum up the rubber. Also, use a white rag as the color may bleed out of anything that has a dye in it and stain the rub rail.

Not sure what your topsides are painted with, but take care not to get acetone on them.

 

[Delta-T]

Try Mr Clean Magic Eraser My understanding it is a 2000 micron flexible sanding block. You need to remove the oxidized layer.

If it is too shot, I'm sure a replacement can be had.

 

[douglasb]

Thanks for the replies. I'll try to tackle an area of rail soon and see if any of it works. I'll try to respond with results as soon as I have them. Thanks again.

 

[rbrasi]

I repainted mine with Buoy paint made by Flexabar.

Before..

After wet sanding, prep and seams filled with 5200...

After.
Once cured, it holds up very well and no more chalk.

 

[tempest]

I cleaned up some scuff marks with Wil-Bond, seems to get the oxidation off too.

Wilson Imperial

 

[SloopJonB]

MEK is the best thing I've ever found for cleaning up vinyl. It will remove ALL streaks of black, even most sunburn discolouration. It will actually soften the vinyl temporarily so small nicks & scrapes will smooth out to some extent. Use a clean cloth dampened with MEK, don't slosh it around. badly oxidized vinyl will take some scrubbing. After it hardens up again (few minutes) wipe it with Armor-All or similar.

Stay upwind of the MEK - it is nasty, ammoniac-like stuff and use chemical resistant gloves as anything else will simply fall apart.