rub rail repair

[the gipper]

While trying to load my new 208 at ramp last week, in a wicked cross wind, I caught the marina's sidewall corner and scraped the rub rail and gouged about an inch of the rubber. Today I noticed the scrape on the stainless was rusting. I know the first ding is the worst and I will probably have to learn to just live with it.
But just in case, has anyone replaced a short peice of rub rail? Can it be done in a practical way? If not, is there a way to remove and check the rust?

 

[DennisG01]

It's rusting because of the sharp, now exposed, edges. Remember, stainless steel only "stains less" than most metals. But it's not the best.

The vinyl part of the rubrail can be cut with a sharp razor blade and sanded. The SS can be filed, sanded and buffed.

Yes, you can replace a piece of it, but it may be hard to find short pieces of the vinyl. The SS can also be replaced in sections.