INDY27

whats the easy/best way to install the vinyl insert?

Sea Ya

Usa a heat gun.

StrikinLightnin

I've seen it done at a shop last winter.
They coiled the insert and put it in a large pot of boiling water.
After boiling it for a while the top edge if the insert is positioned into
it's slot and the lower edge is slid into it's lower slot with a screwdriver.
This is a two man job keeping the insert in the hot water as you go.
Hope this helped.

sonic28

yup heat gun.i replaced mine on 31 sonic from the old black to new white when installing th insert make sure your ends are square or it will stick out like a saore thumb.also as you near the end overlap about 1'' let it cool do shrinkage then cut and push in. easy job

INDY27

thanks guys! Pier 57 said to build a plywood box with a hole cut in the lid and stick a heat gun in for about 1 hour and 2 people could do it in 10 minutes!

SonicBoom

I have never had a insert go in at 10 min with a second set of hands. Very hot water has worked best or leave it on the pavement in direct sunlight for an hour or so (75 degrees or hotter) and try to install it in direct sunlight. If you do it on the pavement be sure its on a dark towl or canvas since the pavement will scratch it. Pending on the type of lip the insert has, you will need a plastic mallet sometimes to whack it in place. The second person pulls on it to help stretch it so it doesn't go on wavy as well as keeping it aligned while you work it into its grrove. Be patient is the key once you start.

INDY27

1-1/2 hours and 4 huge blisters later got the job done! I used a heat gun and pushed in 1-2 ft at a time while it was soft.

Pure Energy

I used a rubber mallet. Put a rag over it so you don't get black marks.

later

take a screw driver and ground the corners round so it wont gouge the railing then, take a 5 gallon bucket with a lid that has the pour spout. 5 gallon bucket will just hold enough insert to do a 42. Fill bucket with hot water let sit for 10-15 minutes. pour out water and fill back up with hot water. put the bucket on a roll around and with two people one pulling the insert out of the bucket and one using the screw driver can walk around a 42 in about 10min. when it hot and soft it goes right in but if it gets cold leave it and keep moving.

later

SonicBoom

Congrats Indy, fun, wasn't it! hahaha, I never look forward to installing those at work.