How to Put Popped Out Rub Rail Back In?

P

Pat Anderson

New member
OK, we hit the rub rail on our goal posts a little too hard, and popped a little bit out. We have tried and tried various means including a broad flat tipped screwdriver, a plastic bicycle tire tool, and a rubber mallet, to no avail. Here is what it looks like:

Popped_Out_Rub_Rail.sized.jpg

Anybody know how to get it back in? It would be most helpful if you really know from personal experience!

 
I have long sections of mine pulled out right now while I remove/repair some rivets that had let go. I put a small section back in (was making sure the new screw heads would clear the black rubber once back in), and it went in reasonably easily (screwdriver/hands). That said, I started from an end, and you have a middle section - maybe that makes it harder?

It almost looks like you have "too much" rubber there, but maybe that's just the photo angle. If you do though, did it pull back from an end? Maybe pulling the "extra" back to the end would help, if so?

Before I started this I read through all the "rub rail" jobs I could find on the forum here. One person mentioned using a screen roller tool to put the rubber back in (so not direct experience, but maybe it will help?).
 
With that much out, either the rubber has stretched--or you have pulled some all along the railing--and you will have to work it toward the back, you may have to even cut a little off , it it turns out that it has stretched…
Two people, one on the top and one on the bottom often helps as you work it back in progressively….
 
I've had mine off before and it seems I recall it being very easy to reinsert after you figure it out. It looks like you slid it down a little from the end so you may need to take it out all the way to the nearest end. Then lay one side into the groove for the full length and use a dull blade of some kind (back of a butter knife?) to tuck the locking edge on the other side into the channel of the aluminum and slide the tool toward the end sort of like a ziplock bag. Once you get it going it should take about seven seconds to zip it all in. Dish soap on the tool might help.

If it isn't working for you and you're all upset because some fool on the internet talked you into pulling more of it out, take it to an auto glass shop and some smart smart aleck kid will come out and put it in there in about four seconds. It is quite similar to a windshield retaining gasket. Or, have Patty do it because it is not too unlike fixing a zipper on a jacket like she has done for dozens of third graders.
 
Check the end at the bow and stern and see if the rubber was pulled down and away from either end.
The rivets on my port side gave way from the aluminum so I had to pull the rubber out and work away at putting in new ss machine screws with nylock nuts and 4200 to put it all together again.
Working from one end of the aluminum channel, a friend and I used a broad tipped flat blade screwdriver and our fingers to push the rubber back in the channel. It took some time, but we got it done.
With our hot weather, it should be pretty easy to work back into the channel.

You probably will have to pull the rubber out of the channel. Probably don't want to hear that, but just figure out if the problem is closer to bow or stern and go for it. Once out and not having to try to muscle big loop into the channel, it will go much easier.
 
Patty here. Thanks for the suggestions. It DOES look like too much rubber is pulled out to go back, but it lies flat when pressed down, and I checked both ends and they are tight at the ends. Will try some of your suggestions and hope we don't have to pull a bunch more out. Mike, you crack me up! Zippers and untied shoes are the bane of my existence.
 
thataway":1a8u6wjd said:
With that much out, either the rubber has stretched--or you have pulled some all along the railing--and you will have to work it toward the back, you may have to even cut a little off , it it turns out that it has stretched…
Two people, one on the top and one on the bottom often helps as you work it back in progressively….
Click to expand...

I finally had to cut the rubber and take out a small piece on my 22. Then a short throw broad tip screwdriver worked well when I reinserted the rubber strip,
 
Not done a rubrail for a long time but used dishsoap and warm water as advised by boat detailer and popped right in. Makes it slippy!
 
Thanks all! A little warm soapy water, four hands and a little bicycle tool, and it appears we have the rub rail back in the channel! Here is hoping it STAYS in!

Rub_Rail_Fixed.jpg
 
I think we have fixed our technique! No more trying to power on! Now I back the trailer down to a point where the boat just floats right up to the bow roller, I cinch it it, and the flat fenders on each side between the goal posts and the boat kind of act as spacers. Patty does the final positioning, and I pull out. It worked last week, here is hoping it works from here on out!

ghone":3db43sd8 said:
Congratulations! Now go fix your trailer guide on.
Click to expand...
 
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