Chipped Aluminum Track for rub rail
 

Hello all!

My first post on the site. I have recently bought a 1997 Shabah 180 and it is very clean inside and out. I have a question that I hope somebody can help me with because it is wearing me thin. The boat is clean for 17 years old except the fact that the Aluminum track that the rubber-ish rub rail sits in is all scratched up I guess from dock wear and tear. The aluminum track is painted white but where it is scratched it is showing the silver aluminum underneath making it look dirty and aging it a bit. I have attached some pictures of what I'm talking about. Now I don't have problems with the rubber actual rub rail (I cleaned that with WD-40 and some elbow grease), just the track it sits in. My question is, can I just simply buy a good white paint and paint over the certain areas showing the metal or is it a big process with sanding and priming and a big project. Please give any information you have or experience with the above subject. Thanks a lot!

Re: Chipped Aluminum Track for rub rail
 

Pain in the butt , I know.
You need to at least sand it where the scuffs are , with say maybe a 320 or 400 wet or dry sandpaper to feather out the rough spots.
Then use some type of paint adhesion/pre cleaner promoter like THIS.
Then I'd try using a Acrylic Laquer on it.
I used THIS on a buddys pontoon 3 years ago on his side skirt railings and it still looks great.
A single stage urethane ought to work too , but a bit more harder to work with.

JMO :yes_grin:

BTW: Welcome to MOC! :)

Re: Chipped Aluminum Track for rub rail
 

Deleted your other post. No need to post the same thing in less than 3 minutes. :shakehead: