Aluminum Rub Rail

Well, I was originally thinking big. Preping the entire boat to have it re-gelcoated, than I bought some 3M gel coat restorer and it really came back to life. From the rub rail up it looks absolutely beautiful but below the rail it really shows it's age. There is some yellowing of the gel especially at the water line and some good scufs and gouges in spots. Woody at Southeast Correct Craft told me that Muritiac acid would take the staining out of the gel and to use a good compound and a buffer to bring it back. He sort of talked me out re gel-coating.
If I decide to go that route, the local auto-body supply has masking paper that I can put over the graphics and trace them out with an exato than paint. Certainly the low-buck approach but that's probably a good thing since we are in the middle of trying to finish some hefty house projects and not to mention its almost June and the boat is sitting on the middle of my garage.
I also bought a new set of decals for the back (AWSA, flag and since 1925 ones) which should help her look like a lady.
As far as the rub rail, I know, I am one of the people who almost always vote for keeping it original, but the aluminum looks so beat and it really stands out making the boat look worse than it is. I would consider buying new aluminum but I really like the looks of the stainless rail but that's not original either and its way out of my justifiable budget right now anyway.

What are you planning on doing? Keeping what you got..... or completely re-doing? Re-paint / re-gel, sand or buff? It can be moderate work or A LOT of work..... how bad is it?

For my project, I could also use the aluminum but would prefer the Rubber w/rope insert. At least keep some of it in mind for me. I can get the new aluminum very easily in small sections...... but not the rubber w/ insert.

Thanks -

Steve

I need only about 6-8 ft of Rope Insert rub rail.... Got any Left over from the job?