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wildcat.
just wanted to know if anyone is having the lighted hand rails fracture on there 07 pumas . i have been waiting for my new ones for a month and just found out there on back order for 6 weeks in the blue color.
There were definitely some fractures on 2006, though not on 2007 models. From our experience any issues with 2007 are related to some chemical contacting the acrylic rails.We have used cast, and extruded materials and have went to vendors who use specified raw material vendors. And this has not been a 2007 issue as a result of those efforts. Do not clean the rails with any chemicals or citrus base products. Simple cleaners and Windex work well.Now the back order we will have the factory check on. That is a whole different topic.BCB
L””
My 06 has the same problem.Replaced the originals several months ago.The replacements now have as many or more fractures than the originals.Wish BCB would rectify this problem.Suggestion: Place the acrylic tubes inside a solid chrome tube with the basscat logo laser cut in the side of the chrome rail so the light comes out the logo.The acrylic rails could fracture and it wouldnt matter.Think the chrome would look good also.
The first rails were a one piece design and did have fracture problems. I have had mine replaced with the new rails. It is a two piece design and is not in a bind as much as the previous rails. No problems witht he new ones. They look great. Problem Solved.Chet
ChetMy replacements were also two piece.Cracks everywhere.Figured it was still a problem so I havent tried another set.Maybe I got a bad set,dont know.I havent contacted the plant about the two piece cracking.Guess I should.
From our knowledge we have had very, very few 07 rails with issues. Far less than 1% failures on 2007 redesigned rails.There has been extensive research and work done on this and it has not been an issue in 2007. This is the first we have heard of it on a 2007 model. That research included the inserted style mentioned, and that has another design issue. This topic has come up in a previous post on the crackling of 06 rails. The lighted rail was added to the Cougar FTD in response to a poll we ran on Bass Boat Central about Owner Preferences on rails. It seems you folks want rails, and you wanted lighted rails. That was obvious in the voting results.The crazing issue is somewhat related to some stresses, though dont forget the rails were built in house by BCB early in 2005 and had no such issues. It was a vendor issue really. Those 05 rails had no premature crazing. They did occasionally crack through from the stress, though no exterior crazing. They did split on the early 05 through bolt design, though that was only a temporary part while we were awaiting the production pieces. This ended with the new stanchion.The 07 models are the split rail design that removed the stress. So the 07 mentioned is not subject to stress, and is chemical related as we mention. Not saying anyone in particular is responsible, though that is usually the issue. Based on the lower mortality of the rails we built in house, the stress was not a factor until we outsourced the rails.The 07 design was done to compensate for all issues. Those being stress, variances in vendor controls, UV issues and more.We can not compensate for chemicals getting on the rails from cleaning. And the rails are a similar product to your windscreens. If you would not use a cleaning agent on your windscreens, DONT use it on the rails. We think this is an issue in several clean ups, at dealers and detailers. Sometimes a clean up “boy” may be just that and just be trying to make them look good! Though his efforts to make them sparkle may cause that premature deterioration. There have been several different issues on the rails, and virtually none are related. Only the chemical issues are shared by all except those 05 rails.Again we will follow up on the rails being backordered with the service crew next week. BCB
Windex contains amonia which I believe is very bad for acrylic. I would only clean that or touch it with something specified for acrylic. Im in plAstic recycling for many years.We are aware of that floridaj, though our testing showed no ill effects. You are correct in that it is not suggest by the Mfgs. Though Silicone is and we found the carrying agent in Silicone to cause damage if it was an off brand slicone spray. Also, this is actually Rons (Pierce) field from way back. He once was a lab technician and plastics engineer for a major company, and was in charge of extruders and established one of the original PVC pipe production facilities in the country in the early 60s.He worked in the lab on many products we now use before they were produced and patented, including the product your fuel tanks and carpet are produced from.
I would imagine that the tanks are made of an hmwpe material & carpet is either nylon or polyester. Does the plant generate much plastic waste? Very interesting about mr P. My rails are stainless i believe so its moot point for me. I was trying to be helpful so take care of that plastic folks
BCB thanks for the info i will just use water on rails and wipe dry. Iam a fanatic about my boat always looking good its my baby!!!
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