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Author Topic:   1963 13-footer Rub Rail

doctor d posted 03-10-2014 09:28 PM ET (US)
The rub rail on my 1963 Sport 13 appears to be original. [I]t's been painted black and looks bad. [The] paint [is] coming off, cracking, and flaking. [The rub rail is] one piece [and is] glued on. I started to pull it off, but it's 51-year-old glue. [G]el coat comes off with the rub rail. How do I remove [the rub rail]? Maybe I should put the new rail on over the old. I would happily consider using a two-piece rail with screws. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
crbenny posted 03-11-2014 12:31 AM ET (US)
The same thing happened to me removing the original rubrail on a 1968 Nauset. I applied heat with a heat gun but still lost a little gel coat. Not a big deal if you're going to replace with the two-piece rubrail, which I highly recommend you do. You can get it with the white insert if you order the 40th Anniversary rub rail for the 13 Sport. It looks beefier and better,and you'll get the extra protection and hide the imperfections as well. Personally I don't like the standard black insert on boats with the blue interior, but it's your call. Before you apply the new rubrail, fill the chips with Marine Tex. Also, I know some people use screws but I think rivets are the way to go as you're not relying on a few threads holding on to a fiberglass skin.
Chris
jimh posted 03-11-2014 08:53 AM ET (US)
For the adhesive holding the original rub rail to the hull to have lasted 51-years seems to be evidence that it must have been a really strong and long-lasting adhesive. Perhaps it is not a surprise that the adhesive is still so strong it will pull the top layers of the hull laminate apart--it must be stronger than the bonds between the laminate layers themselves.
I am not familiar with the adhesive that was used. If the adhesive does not seem to soften with heat, I don't know if there will be another method to release it. Some adhesives can be softened chemically, but I would be very careful with any chemical used, as it might also soften the laminate of the hull.
Perhaps physical separation can be helped with a very sharp edge putty knife. Use it with care, as it could also scrape off gel coat.
As suggested, if the hull gel coat is damaged in removing the old rub rail, you can make a repair. The repair probably will [NOT] have have to be cosmetically perfect, as it will probably be covered by the new rub rail.
doctor d posted 03-12-2014 12:13 PM ET (US)
Good stuff gentlemen. thank you.

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Author	Topic: 1963 13-footer Rub Rail
doctor d	posted 03-10-2014 09:28 PM ET (US) The rub rail on my 1963 Sport 13 appears to be original. [I]t's been painted black and looks bad. [The] paint [is] coming off, cracking, and flaking. [The rub rail is] one piece [and is] glued on. I started to pull it off, but it's 51-year-old glue. [G]el coat comes off with the rub rail. How do I remove [the rub rail]? Maybe I should put the new rail on over the old. I would happily consider using a two-piece rail with screws. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
crbenny	posted 03-11-2014 12:31 AM ET (US) The same thing happened to me removing the original rubrail on a 1968 Nauset. I applied heat with a heat gun but still lost a little gel coat. Not a big deal if you're going to replace with the two-piece rubrail, which I highly recommend you do. You can get it with the white insert if you order the 40th Anniversary rub rail for the 13 Sport. It looks beefier and better,and you'll get the extra protection and hide the imperfections as well. Personally I don't like the standard black insert on boats with the blue interior, but it's your call. Before you apply the new rubrail, fill the chips with Marine Tex. Also, I know some people use screws but I think rivets are the way to go as you're not relying on a few threads holding on to a fiberglass skin. Chris
jimh	posted 03-11-2014 08:53 AM ET (US) For the adhesive holding the original rub rail to the hull to have lasted 51-years seems to be evidence that it must have been a really strong and long-lasting adhesive. Perhaps it is not a surprise that the adhesive is still so strong it will pull the top layers of the hull laminate apart--it must be stronger than the bonds between the laminate layers themselves. I am not familiar with the adhesive that was used. If the adhesive does not seem to soften with heat, I don't know if there will be another method to release it. Some adhesives can be softened chemically, but I would be very careful with any chemical used, as it might also soften the laminate of the hull. Perhaps physical separation can be helped with a very sharp edge putty knife. Use it with care, as it could also scrape off gel coat. As suggested, if the hull gel coat is damaged in removing the old rub rail, you can make a repair. The repair probably will [NOT] have have to be cosmetically perfect, as it will probably be covered by the new rub rail.
doctor d	posted 03-12-2014 12:13 PM ET (US) Good stuff gentlemen. thank you.