RIB Rubber strake problem

[wreckless]

Hi I've just joined this forum so Hello to everyone :-), I have owned and dived off my trusty old chinook 7m rib for 10 yrs now, it was built to a high standard origanally with heavy heavy rubber straking all around the tubes, 2 problems, the orange hypalon has faded somewhat and could do with some heavy duty cleaning and cutting stuff to restore its colour.
But the worst problem is the rubber, it rubs off on anything like soot, if anyone brushes against it with light coloured clothes they covered in sooty black marks, everyone jokes that you come off my boat looking like coal miners. I could retube the boat but the tubes are generally in sound condition with no leaks. Do'es anyone know of a product that will seal the rubber, like some sort of laquer for rubber?? Cheers from a frustrated rib owner

[Polwart]

I don't know of a sealer (but there might be something available) but you can remove the rubbing strake and replace it...

[Portnahaven]

Don't know of any sealer either.
Rubber window surround on me ole orkney did the same thing - marked when you rubbed against it, even left dark streaks when it rained.
The rubber was 20 years old mind.
Only solution for the perished rubber was to replace.
Might be the same for you guard rubber.
I imagine that could be a bugger to remove.

[willk]

Dunno if this will work, but can't hurt to try it. Give the rubber a good scrub with TFR (Traffic Film Remover) and a scourer, rub off as much as you can and wash down. Dry and treat with a automotive trim restorer (Back to Black)

My thinking is that it might remove the outer flakey oxidised layers and the gel might reduce some of the transfer later.

Cheaper than removal and would deffo look good!

[Hightower]

You might try what Willk has suggested but instead of Back to black try quarry tile sealer. Someone very well known on here used to use it on his tubes I beleive, and whilst I can't confirm if this ever worked it's worth a try on a small section to see if it works.

[C-NUMB]

How about the harsh way, sand it down a bit until healthier rubber will appear(if it will...)? Might be difficult to get it smooth and shiny again and anyway no gurantee this will work, so maybe a last resort solution only.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Someone very well known on here used to use it on his tubes I beleive, and whilst I can't confirm if this ever worked...

'is Torlship swears by it. I reckon 'cos of how it's so echognome, ekkonomm,ecconommikal, cheap

[Alzi]

you could try >>>>>>>

Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner - 1 Gallon | MyUSTools

You never know..

[sunrider]

I had a similar problem that was solved by coating the rub strake with black hypalon paint....very important to clean and prep the surface to ensure a good bond.

[Alzi]

Liquid Letters Hypalon Lettering Paint Black

This can be used , as it says in the advert.