Pro Tips for Weatherstrips

When it comes to replacing your boat’s rub rail insert, it’s natural to have questions about where to start, what you need, and the steps involved. In this post, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to ensure you choose the right replacement and install it successfully.

Rub rails are subjected to extensive wear and tear in order to protect the hull from damage. Among the various components of a rub rail, the rub rail insert plays a crucial role in providing an extra layer of safeguard and enhances the aesthetics of your boat. These inserts often bear the brunt of collisions with pilings and docks, making them susceptible to damage. As a result, it’s essential to replace rub rail inserts as part of your routine boat maintenance.

While most inserts available on the market are made of vinyl or metal, at Steele, we manufacture inserts from a durable, dense EPDM rubber. This material offers robust cushion to absorb minor impact as well as exceptional resistance to ozone, UV, and extreme weather conditions. Unlike vinyl, EPDM rubber does not fade, shrink, or crack, and does not require any pre-heating to install!

Where to Start

Unlike a classic car or truck, the make and model of your boat isn’t the determining factor for what part will fit your rub rail. This is because most marine seals are universal, meaning they can be used for wide range of applications. However, this is actually a good thing! It means you have options to choose from.

Start with what is currently on your boat. What you’ll need is a cross section view of the shape of the seal, which acts as a unique identifier, as well as the dimensions to determine the right size. To do this with your current insert, cut a small 1-2in piece or pull out the end of the insert and take a cross-sectional photo (see example below). Having a cross-sectional piece or photo allows you to see the layer structure of your insert. In the even that you no longer have an insert on your boat to refer to, don’t worry! You can take measurements of the opening on your rub rail where the insert would install.

Selecting the Right Part

Now that you know the shape and measurements of your seal, it’s time to select a replacement. Our Marine catalog includes part photos as well as part drawings with the measurements so you can easily compare.

To ensure you order the correct footage for your rub rail, take a measurement of the length and width (beam) of your boat. Multiply the length of your boat by 2 and add the beam width for the total.

Request your free Marine catalog here! Or, if you prefer paperless, you can view the digital PDF copy right here. Additionally, our complete Marine line is always available online, which is where you will find pricing.

We conveniently offer both replacement and repair kits. Replacement kits, designed for a full rub rail insert replacement, will include at least 50ft of the insert, a scraper/tuck tool, and an instruction sheet. The difference in our repair kits, designed for repairing a section of Steele Rubber Products’ rub rail insert, is that it includes only 20ft of the insert and includes the additional product Loctite 495 Super Bonder to bond the repaired section to the current insert.

So, it’s important to double check not only that you have the correct profile, but also that you are looking at the correct kit for your needs.

We also offer FREE sample packs! This allows you to test fit different profiles and sizes to figure out which one works best for your boat. Contact our customer service team today to get your rub rail insert sample pack!

Installing Your Rub Rail Insert

Once you’ve selected and ordered the correct replacement insert, it’s time to install. As we mentioned before, our rub rail inserts do not require any pre-heating for installation! This makes the job go a lot quicker and smoother.

Steps for full rub rail replacement

Tools needed:

• Tuck Tool
• Rub Rail Insert
• Screwdriver
• Heavy duty scissors (mitering scissors work great)
• Rubber mallet (optional)

1. Start by removing the old rub rail insert entirely. Be sure to keep any necessary hardware associated with holding the insert in place such as end caps or screws.
2. Next, do a thorough clean of the rub rail track. You want to remove any dirt, debris, or mold that may have been trapped. If caulk was used to keep the old insert in place, you’ll also want to remove that as caulk will not be needed for your new insert.
3. If your rub rail wraps the entire boat, begin installing the new insert where there was an end cap. If your track does not wrap the entire boat, start installing the insert at one end of the rub rail track.
4. This step is when your tuck tool comes in handy! Place the lower groove of the insert onto the bottom lip of the track, then use the tuck tool to press the top of the insert into place. This should ensure a snug fit, which is exactly what you want! Using this method, install the rest of your rub rail in sections until completed.
5. Once you get all of your insert installed, trim the excess rubber flush with the end of the track, or, to the screw hole where the end cap was. Be sure not to cover your screw hole!
6. Finally, you’ll install any necessary or remaining hardware, and you’re done!

• Install tip: Do not use any tools with sharp objects to push in the insert! Things like a screw driver or knife can damage the seal.
• Maintenance tip: If you have a Steele Rubber Products rub rail insert, the only products we recommend using for maintenance cleaning is just soap and water! No additional cleaners, treatments, or coatings are needed because they can actually break down the compounds in the rubber and cause deterioration.

Steps for rub rail insert repair

1. Identify the damaged section of the insert. Remove and set aside any necessary hardware like end caps and screws. This is a good time to replace these components if needed.
2. Carefully remove the section that you’ll be replacing from the track. Use a tuck tool or something similar for this to prevent damaging the track or the insert still in good condition.
3. With the rub rail insert partially removed, carefully cut the section to be replaced from the rest of the insert. We recommend cutting out no less than 12″ in length to make the install of the repair splice easier. Once you have the damaged section cut out, press the remaining good condition insert back into the track with the tuck tool.
4. Take this time to clean out any debris or mold that may be in the track.
5. Measure the gap in the track between the cut ends and cut a length from the repair kit that is 1/16″ longer. While our rub rail inserts will not shrink, adding the 1/16″ is recommended to provide a tight, secure bond at the splice.
6. Do a test fit first! The Loctite 495 Super Bonder is an instant adhesive that creates a permanent bond. It will bond rubber together in <5 seconds, so make sure the section fits before moving on to the next step!
7. Apply a small amount of the Loctite 495 to one end of the replacement insert and carefully press that end into place against one end of the existing insert. Then, press the rest of the section into place before leaving 1-2″ of the opposite end out.
8. Lastly, apply the Loctite 495 to the exposed end and press into place against the remaining end of the existing insert. Install any necessary hardware back in place and you’re done!

• Install tip #1: Do not use any tools with sharp objects to push in the insert! Things like a screw driver or knife can damage the seal.
• Install tip #2: When using Loctite 495, a little goes a long way. We like to apply this with the end of a paperclip to keep the coat thin. Like we said on step 6, this is an instant adhesive, so always do a test fit before gluing.

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Steele not only offers top-quality products, but top-quality knowledge to help you complete your projects, too. If you have questions regarding weatherstripping for your classic vehicle, street rod, RV, or boat, don’t hesitate to contact us! Call us at 800-447-0849, send us an email, or chat with us on our website.

*For additional help check out our How To series on YouTube!

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