Boarding step insert for '59 Glastron Fireflite

thingiverse

After 55 years the rubber inserts for the boarding steps on my powerboat are severely perished, shrunken and hardened. I tried to take a mold from one of the old ones several years ago when I first restored the boat, but couldn't get a decent impression. Now that I have the capability to print one, I'm trying again with a computer-generated mold. I plan to fill the mold with this modified silicone: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.instructables.com%2Fid%2FHow-To-Make-Your-Own-Sugru-Substitute%2F&ei=7rfRU4WCMMewyATIi4DgCg&usg=AFQjCNEmTLURA8qrD3Yj4L-MZleQdqUwPA&bvm=bv.71667212,d.aWw Stay tuned... . Instructions Printed the female mold, sprayed it lightly with "Pam," and used a goodly amount of pressure with a putty knife to force the "oogoo" into the mold. After four hours, I was able to pull the result from the mold: It worked wonderfully! I may modify my SCAD code slightly to make the insert a bit "proud" of the frame, but this it definitely serviceable! All I had on hand was clear silicone caulk, made whitish be the admixture of corn starch. For the final version I'll pick up some white caulk.