Black streaks from rub-rail
 

I have an older formula with the black rub-rail that goes around the top. The boat is all white. When it rains I get these black streaks that run down the side from underneath the rub-rail. It doesn't damage anything but they are a pain in the butt to clean with regular soap and water. The streaks take a lot of elbow grease to get out and I hate having to do it after every time it rains. Does anyone have any suggestions other than a nice warm cup of suck it up? Any special cleaners or something I can do to the rail to make it stop doing that?

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

UMMM... black streak remover... seriously.

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

that is easy.. SWIPES!!!!!!!!! those things KICK A$$

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

Thanks for the replies. Black streak remover is safe to use on the gel-coat? What are SWIPES? Where do I get them? Thanks for the help.

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

Yeah,StarBrite Black Streak Remover or 3M Citrus Cleaner.

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

Go to "Marine Links" at the top of the page and go to Swipes.

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

You can buy swipes from here, from their site directly, or from any of us who are dealers. Cleaner waxes will work also.. The problem is that there is a buildup of dirt and deteriorating rubber in the channel the rubber rubrail sits in.. To eliminate the problem, you might have to remove the rubber, clean it out and maybe replace with new rubber. Or clean the existing one and put back. Good luck.

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

If you make a small bead of clear caulk on top of rubrail, then the water will not make it behind the rubrail. Or, you can take the rubrail off and put the bead on the top edge.

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

Thanks for the replies. I think I will try them all. I am defintely going to take the rail off and try to put the caulk on the inside and see if I can get it to stop doing that. I will get some Swipes also. Thanks again for the replies.

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

Hey zog .. the Swipes work great on your car too. You might even find something to clean with them at work. ;) :D

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

Windex works the best and doesn't remove the wax.
Are these swipes you guys are talking about, the same thing you use to clean floors in the house?

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

Spray Nine

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

No - those are Swiffers :D

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

zog02 - Don't wanna be sounding like a salesman but would like to help with some tech asistance. My boat (as well as most of us out there) does the same thing. What you want to do is the obiviously 1st, wash the boat with an alkaline detergent. Something as simple as dish detergent will do. 2nd - apply the Offshoreonly Boat Shield or whatever product you may feel is comparable. Boat Shield is not wax, not teflon or silicon. It is an acrylic urethane. This is the most important application to provide a super slick protectant that will not allow the rain/dirt/residue's to stick or gain a foot hold to your fiberglass or paint. The black lines will simply wipe right off like they do on my boat once you apply a Boat Shield. You can use the Swipes to remove these lines. Since Swipes are neutral in pH (unlike the spray nines, 409's, black streat remover, etc) and do not contain any solvents (like windex, citrus cleaners), they are a good, safe maintenance product for cleaning anything on yourself and your boat. The other cleaners do clean well but have too much bite to them. I would be happy to discuss in detail via phone 610.539.3295. Hope this helps. :D

Re: Black streaks from rub-rail
 

Zog, Call the number!! Get yourself some swipes.....then ask to have them ...Personalized!!