Grady Rub Rail Rejuvinator

[Surely Bassey]

My rubrail has turned white in spots from wax that was meant for the fiberglass and got on the blue plastic anyway. The sun over the years also made it turn whiteish.
I found something that works pretty well to return the rubrail to blue.
Peanut butter....
That's right...peanut butter (smooth; not crunchy)
Try smearing a thin coat on your rubrail. I leave it for 10 minutes and scrub it off with a brush and soap and water. Then I follow it up with a good wipedown with a magic eraser; and lastly a washcloth wet with plain water.
I'm not sure if the result is better when you leave the peanut butter on for a longer period; or if you massage it in more with your fingers.
I hope someone could report back.

 

['84Offshore]

Try acetone followed by penetrol............

 

[seasick]

My rubrail has turned white in spots from wax that was meant for the fiberglass and got on the blue plastic anyway. The sun over the years also made it turn whiteish.
I found something that works pretty well to return the rubrail to blue.
Peanut butter....
That's right...peanut butter (smooth; not crunchy)
Try smearing a thin coat on your rubrail. I leave it for 10 minutes and scrub it off with a brush and soap and water. Then I follow it up with a good wipedown with a magic eraser; and lastly a washcloth wet with plain water.
I'm not sure if the result is better when you leave the peanut butter on for a longer period; or if you massage it in more with your fingers.
I hope someone could report back.

Peanut butter is a great animal repellent. Just rub it on the boat next to yours and the animals will go there....

Seriously, I would be hesitant to use something that the animals might decide to chew on.

 

[Surely Bassey]

I just teied acetone and penetrol and IMO the peanut butter worked better. And after you wipe it off; the animals are not a potential problem...

 

[wlewis]

What is a magic eraser?

 

[CJBROWN]

303 cleaner and protectant.

3M also makes a gel protectant that is a good product. If it's really faded that my help.

The important thing is to keep a good UV protectant on them as preventative maint.

The peanut oil is what's creating the sheen, but it won't last, will wash out fairly readily. And it's organic, so you may get mold or other growth over time.

If the surface is really damaged and has started to chalk, I would look for a product that setups up like a resin. Acrylic comes to mind. I would check with a commercial paint store, like Benjamin Moore, or an auto paints dealer.

A quick search turned this product up: http://www.hytechsales.com/prod60.html
A gallon would be a lot though.

Penetrol is a paint additive and would work as temp coat, but it's not a weather proof finish. But here's another product they offer for vinyl restoration. Might be worth a try:
http://www.flood.com/flood/Products/Dis ... uct+Pg.htm

I still think a good cleaning and application of 303 protectant would bring it back satisfactorily. The stuff is pretty remarkable.

Here's a 3M marine product that might work:
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(oz0k0 ... 551se55yru)/ProductDetails.aspx?source=aceoutlet&SKU=8034977

Here's a good explanation of the degradation process in vinyls and rubber from UV and ozone exposure, and their recommendation of 3M dressing:
http://www.carcareonline.com/viewarticle.aspx?art=12

 

[wlewis]

I've used 303 and it's good stuff.

 

[ahill]

I used acetone as recommended in a prior thread with great results. Quick & easy. Applied penetrol after.

 

[el jefe]

I was at Boat Owners Warehouse about two months ago and asked their gurus what they recomment. They said to use Interlux 355, wipe it on rub rail and then use two coats of Mop and Glo. That's right Mop and Glo. I tried it and my rubrail came out spotless. The 355 cleaned the rub rail with almost no effort. Then the mop and glo went and it after it dried (about 15 minutes in Florida sun), the rub rail looked awesome. Two months later the rubrail still looks great.

 

[CJBROWN]

That's funny, I was going to suggest that but didn't think it was durable enough for marine use.

The guys with big fancy motorhomes with fiberglass roofs use it. Same deal, protects, shines, and looks great. I was going to try it on mine.

I use the 303 on my rails, but they're pretty fresh yet, the boat is just barely 3 years old this year, and it stays covered.

 

[sfc2113]

I was at Boat Owners Warehouse about two months ago and asked their gurus what they recomment. They said to use Interlux 355, wipe it on rub rail and then use two coats of Mop and Glo. That's right Mop and Glo. I tried it and my rubrail came out spotless. The 355 cleaned the rub rail with almost no effort. Then the mop and glo went and it after it dried (about 15 minutes in Florida sun), the rub rail looked awesome. Two months later the rubrail still looks great.

I used mop and glow on my boots for inspections in the Army, No one could understand how the hell I got my boots so shiny without spending about 4 hours of my downtime polishing them. :lol: