Black rubber rail cleaner

[StraitKnot]

What do you use to shine up the thin black rubber that goes around the boat? Thanks!

Ronni
Strait Knot

 

[Brian B]

There are marine and automotive products that will work. I use Vaseline, works just as good and a lot cheaper.

 

[Foxislandmotts]

Brian B, did you have to remove the white-ish oxidation layer first? Or does the Vaseline restore the color?

 

[NorCal]

I use Formula 303. It takes a few applications for it to turn black but it seems to work reasonably well. At first you will think it doesn't work but it seems to slowly soak in over successive applications.

 

[StraitKnot]

Thanks, all...

 

[Foxislandmotts]

Vaseline seems to do the trick. Working on a test patch and will post more definitive results later.

 

[SLyle01]

I use Meguiars 'Back to Black', buy at any Auto store...works great. Used on my cars for years. Reapply only when obviously faded.
Steve

 

[SLyle01]

Correction: "Back-to-Black is made by Mothers, not Meguiars. Sorry.

 

[Foxislandmotts]

Over the past few weeks I've treated all of the black rubber with Vaseline. It's already turning white again. I'll be purchasing one of these other products soon.

 

[Boris the Tug]

I use Chemical Guys VRP

 

[Cutwater28GG]

the detailing guy at the rendezvous suggested buffing it out with regular polishing compound. the white is just oxidation like what occurs on the gelcoat.

I havent tried it but will give it a go this winter.

 

[Fisho]

Thanks for the tip on using Mothers Black to Black. The rubber strips around my boat were looking sad with no amount of polish overcoming the white or chalky haze. Also the two rubber bumpers on the swim platform were also looking very tired. Over the last few days I have applied the Mothers product twice. Applied generously and rubbing it in. The railings came back from about 40% to about 80+%. Still not perfect but MUCH better. Absolutely worth the little effort. Regarding the rubber bumpers at rear I took them off and reversed them then applied Mothers. They have come back almost new or 90+%. A very good result. I will now detail once or twice a year noting we use our boat all year.