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"rubrails"-----Finally a response
By:Paul G Jacobson
Date: 5/9/2010, 2:28 pm
In Response To: Skin-on-Frame: attaching "rubrails" (George)

n sipo rubrails to hide the staples. How would
: i go about this. ? Most of the info i found so far mentions using
: screws and epoxy to attach rubrails. This works with thicker rub
: stock and the sipo i have tends to split quite easily. 3M 5200
: or an equivalent ?

Cut your stock roughly to the length you need and coat it with 2 coats of epoxy, if you have any epoxy around. If you don't have epoxy then put on two coats of varnish, paint or some other exterior finish. Whatever you use, be sure you cover the side of the rubrail which is touching the boat. Otherwise this will quickly get saturated with water and rot.

Solid brass screws look very decorative and resist corrosion. You can get them at any hardware store. Stainless steel screws are more durable but harder to find. If you have round head screws drill an oversize hole in the rubrail. Make the holes slightly larger than the shank of the screw, so the screw fits in easily. Seal all the holes with a drop of epoxy, paint,or whatever you coated the rub rail with. This can still be wet when you attach the rubrails to the boat. If you are using flathead screws you'll want to ream out a spot for the screwhead to sink into.
Line up the rub rail where you want it and use an awl or a small drill to create a starting hole for the screw.

Putting in a lot of closely spaced screws makes the rubrail into a long clamp which pinches the skin fabric to the frame. The screws are stronger and more durable than the staples. Widely spaced screws means fewer screws--so it is less expensive--but make sure your staples are adequate
I wouldn't bother with a fabric trim. It offers no support or strength to the skin and it is likely to tear off if it gets snagged.

PGJ

Messages In This Thread

Skin-on-Frame: attaching "rubrails"
George -- 5/4/2010, 8:04 am
Re: thanks
George -- 5/10/2010, 3:22 am
Re: thanks
Bill Hamm -- 5/11/2010, 12:48 am
Re: thanks
George -- 5/11/2010, 12:22 pm
Re: thanks
Bill Hamm -- 5/12/2010, 1:10 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: attaching "rubrails"
Bill Hamm -- 5/10/2010, 12:31 am
"rubrails"-----Finally a response
Paul G Jacobson -- 5/9/2010, 2:28 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: attaching "rubrails"
Michael -- 5/7/2010, 1:18 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: attaching "rubrails"
George -- 5/7/2010, 4:58 am