Rub Rails

wlewis

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Does anyone have any suggestions on cleaning the blue rubber rub rails? Mine are cloudy looking and so far, haven't found anything to make them look new.
 
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seasick

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wlewis said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on cleaning the blue rubber rub rails? Mine are cloudy looking and so far, haven't found anything to make them look new.

Wash with boat soap and water, scrub off any crusty gunk. Dry thoroughly, really dry.

Rub rubber with acetone and a rag, changing the rag as it gets dirty.
When satisfied and again dry ( will be quick after acetone), apply a rubber trim wax or as I do, use Mop & Glow floor wax liquid. Rail may need additional applications of wax every few months.
I think you will be surprised to see what color the rail really is.
 

Fishtales

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I've had good luck with the Collinite 920 cleaner followed up by Meguiars wax. I hit it with both when waxing. The blue rub rail comes back nice. I have the metal plate in the middle with all the SS screws so there isn't a lot of area, but it does look fine and it isn't an extra step for me every year.
 

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I have used Maguire's Vinyl Treatment on my 88 Gulfstream. Like new and easy
 

seasick

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Fishtales said:
I've had good luck with the Collinite 920 cleaner followed up by Meguiars wax. I hit it with both when waxing. The blue rub rail comes back nice. I have the metal plate in the middle with all the SS screws so there isn't a lot of area, but it does look fine and it isn't an extra step for me every year.

You gave away the surprise. The rails are blue!
 

ROBERTH

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I have found the interlux 333 will dissolve the sun oxidized surface with some rubbing, leaving a nice smooth blue rubber surface. Was using the mop and glo for last year with good results. But lately, it seems the mop and glo was only lasting a few months. I have now tried the wipe new as have had excellent results on my truck for over a year.
 

seasick

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ROBERTH said:
I have found the interlux 333 will dissolve the sun oxidized surface with some rubbing, leaving a nice smooth blue rubber surface. Was using the mop and glo for last year with good results. But lately, it seems the mop and glo was only lasting a few months. I have now tried the wipe new as have had excellent results on my truck for over a year.
I noticed the same think about Mop & Glo. I wonder if the frmulation changed.
 

ROBERTH

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I am using the same bottle, so don't think that would be it. Maybe just over time in the sun it breaks down.... dunno. I was impressed what it did though for the overall improvement. I have higher hopes for the wipe new. After full day In salt today, the water beads up and rinses right off easily. I have also used the wipe new on tires and wheels and it is impressive.
 

wlewis

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I just discovered Starbrite's rub rail restorer. Easy to use and works great, better than anything else I've tried. Now, I'm wondering how long it lasts.