Roller marks

[Taktix]

Anyone else have a roller bunk trailer that leaves black marks on the hull every time you launch/recover?
Wondering a) why it happens - are the rollers c**p or perishing with age (circa 2007) b) can I stop it somehow or do I need to replace the rollers and c) what’s the best way to clean up the hull?
Cheers

[willk]

Welcome to RIBnet.

Different rollers are made from different materials. Black rubber marks from new and as you propose - gets worse with age. If you use caustic cleaning chemicals around them - it gets worse in the short term as a layer of perished rubber frees off.

It is possible to buy replacement rollers in plastic type materials. It will be an expensive undertaking!

The marks should be easy to clean off. If something handy like WD40 won't shift them then invest in some GRP cleaner/polish. Car or caravan products are cheap and handy - but you can up the budget and get bespoke marine products for three times the cost. Any chandlery will stock.

[jeffstevens763@g]

when windscreen wipers start to scream they say use rubbing alcohol which works rub until no black on your cloth then spray with back to black it will help for a while but as willk says rubber only lasts for so long depending on shore hardness better buying to propper rollers not cheap though

[willk]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

when windscreen wipers start to scream they say use rubbing alcohol

Or Isle of Jura, I'd imagine. Although the burnt rubber smell will linger...

Thanks for the tip tho - it's a thing I need to do.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by willk

Or Isle of Jura, I'd imagine. Although the burnt rubber smell will linger...

Thanks for the tip tho - it's a thing I need to do.

it doesn't last long though about a week if like me cant stand the noise so helps until i get them changed

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

Or Isle of Jura, I'd imagine. Although the burnt rubber smell will linger...

Thanks for the tip tho - it's a thing I need to do.

Whatever you do, don’t use Laphroig, it’ll etch the glass[emoji849]

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Whatever you do, don’t use Laphroig, it’ll etch the glass[emoji849]

Only the ten year old!!

[jambo]

[QUOTE=willk;791719]Or Isle of Jura, I'd imagine. Although the burnt rubber smell


Nothing wrong with Isla Jura!!

[jonp]

My rollers are soft red plastic and I still get black scuff marks on my hull. I believe road dirt and exhaust fumes etc gather on the rollers and leave residue on the hull.

[willk]

Originally Posted by jonp

My rollers are soft red plastic and I still get black scuff marks on my hull. I believe road dirt and exhaust fumes etc gather on the rollers and leave residue on the hull.

^

Makes a lot of sense! You're not getting red scuffs though - and I've peeled roller rubber off my hull after particularly forceful loadings....

[jonp]

Originally Posted by willk

^

Makes a lot of sense! You're not getting red scuffs though - and I've peeled roller rubber off my hull after particularly forceful loadings....

Black, blue or grey here are for aluminium boats, with black being the economy type not really designed for heavy or fibreglass boats. Red or yellow are for fibreglass hulls, pretty certain this is the same in the US too, more info here https://roxom.com.au/tutorials/boat-...railer-rollers

[Sprocker]

Originally Posted by jambo

Nothing wrong with Isla Jura!!

I totally agree, my absolute favourite malt and absolute favourite island.
I like it so much I named my boat after it.......

[Taktix]

Thanks for all the help.
Not sure I’ll stretch to rubbing off the marks with a Jura but might try Tcut.
Sounds like black rollers are a bad option to start with- any suggestions on good deals on other options gonnie need 32 to do the whole lot 😫

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Taktix

Thanks for all the help.
Not sure I’ll stretch to rubbing off the marks with a Jura but might try Tcut.
Sounds like black rollers are a bad option to start with- any suggestions on good deals on other options gonnie need 32 to do the whole lot 😫

i had similar to these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-New-W...sAAOSw0UdXuzGq

[willk]

Originally Posted by Taktix

Not sure I’ll stretch to rubbing off the marks with a Jura but might try Tcut

Yes, best use something gentle first.

Seriously though - something relatively gentle with some petroleum distillate through it...

Prophesy perhaps?

[paintman]

Might be worth trying some 'Brake & clutch cleaner'.
I use it for removing glue, tar spots & other stuff - incl tyre marks - from car & caravan bodywork prior to body repair work. IMO better than panelwipe & much safer than thinners which will attack paint.
So far I've not had any issues with it on paint or gelcoat finishes - incl my own boat - but test on an inconspicuous area first.

For abrasive polishes I'd avoid T-cut & go for 3M Finesse-it or Farecla G3.
3M do a specific compound for gelcoats (Perfect-it gelcoat) but I've never used it.