New rub rails?

[jammer]

Can you replace rub rails? Do they come off easily, and can you put all new ones on? I hate it when they get faded and marked up.

[MHayes]

RE: New rub rails?

Are you talking about the entire rub rail or just the insert? I know that the insert is easy to change, but the entire rub rail would be a job.

[wakejunky]

RE: New rub rails?

The rub rail can be replaced, it's actually not all that hard. The biggest problem is getting the screws through the new rub rail and into the same holes on the deck.

Procedure:
1.) Remove end caps
2.) Remove insert
3.) Remove screws from rubrail
4.) If not already there, score a line above the screw holes but, below the rubrail height. This will prevent any spider cracks from the screw holes to come up past the rubrail.
5.) Warm up new rubrail. Either put into a box and put a hair dryer running on it or leave it in the sun. It'll be much easier to work with.
6.) crayon or grease pen a vertical line above each screw hole above the rubrail for reference when inserting new screws. You want to drive the screws into the same holes so, this will let you know where the screw holes are. Don't drive the screws in tight because the new rubrail will be wavy otherwise. Just get them sorta tight. Don't worry about it being too perfectly straight at this time, just get it close.
7.) You'll probably need somebody to help you, for holding it in place as well as pulling it tight. Will also need a heat gun to warm up the rubrail to get around the nose.
8.) Once the rubrail is installed, check for straightness. If not straight, whack with rubber hammer until straight. Don't worry they can take quit a bit of whacking.
9.) Install insert. Again use rubber hammer to get it into the slot.
10.) Install end caps.
11.) If you have any marks or anything on it you can get a rag with some Acetone on it and clean up the rubrail.
12.) Crack open a beer and admire your work.


Chris

[BHog]

RE: New rub rails?

Wakejunky you make it seem so easy. Sounds like you have done this before

[wakejunky]

RE: New rub rails?

I've done about 4 or 5. It's not that hard probably a 3 hour job.

Chris

[MHayes]

Re: RE: New rub rails?

I've done about 4 or 5. It's not that hard probably a 3 hour job.Chris

How long did the first one take? :mrgreen:

[wakejunky]

RE: Re: RE: New rub rails?

First one was probably that long with lots of coaching. And it was in the middle of winter to make things even more difficult (cold rubrails don't cooperate)

Chris

[DanielC]

RE: Re: RE: New rub rails?

I replaced the whole rub rail on my 1997 Ski. Everything above is good advise. One more tip. Use a come-a-long to slightly stretch, or pull the rub rail as you are putting the screws in. You can raise or lower the height of the pull to make the rub rail go exactly where you want it. I got almost, if not all my holes to line up that way, and I did not have to pull the rail with one hand, pick up a screw with another hand, hold the screwdriver with another hand, well you get the picture.
Use the heat gun to encourage the rub rail to go around tight curves.

[Erik]

Where does one buy rubrail with embedded rope? Is it sold in bulk somewhere - by the foot - that sort of thing? I have seen lots of places that sell basic aluminum rubrail, but not many sources for the kind we have on the Ski Nautique or even the SAN for that matter.

I need to redo the rubrail on the Southwind.

[wakeboardin2k4]

RE: Re: RE: New rub rails?

wakejunky-those rub rails that you have done have any of them been stainless steel? And if so was the stainless steel that much more difficult?

[wakejunky]

RE: Re: RE: New rub rails?

I've only done the rubber rubrails. I wouldn't want to do a SS one. You ding that or make the wrong bend and you get to buy yourself another one.

Chris

[Gettin_Stoked]

RE: Re: RE: New rub rails?

Erik-

www.rubrails.com

I don't think you will find it with the rope already in anywhere, I replaced a few entire rub rails on my old 2001's, and have looked everywhere...Cheers.

[wakeboardin2k4]

RE: Re: RE: New rub rails?

Wakejunky-I got ya, I am thinking about doing a rubber one on my 2001. Glad to hear that you say it can be done in 3 or 4 hours, aka probably 6 for me cause i work slow.

[DWhitt]

Anyone know which rails work best for a 2002 210?

[MHayes]

Also, does anyone know where to get just the inserts for the rubrail and not the entire rubrail? Specifically, colored ones?