Installing/removing teak plugs over rail fasteners

J

jstokes

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Sep 29, 2001
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6292
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I have two 10-foot-long teak grab rails that bolt through a cabin top. I have them off the boat for refinishing. I also have a king's ransom worth of 1/2" teak plugs to install in the fastener holes after rails are back on the boat.
Questions: Do I use adhesive when I put the new plugs in? Or just pound them in, trim to fit and finish off with Cetol? I know I will have to get these rails off again for future refinishing. Thanks for info/advice.
 
I put mine in dry inside the cabin. The deck, I put in with epoxy. On your rails I would try them dry. I would also put the plugs on a baking sheet in the oven at about 140 degrees, first. Then you know they are going in dry & the sun should not shrink them any more. Another thing I found was a Multitool, (Fein), was the best way to trim the plugs down. I used a playing card under the blade as a cushion. Then just sanded flat. I just could not get a chisel sharp enough to trim the plugs cleanly.
Al
 
Use something like Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue to seal the bungs, epoxy to bed the screws. This has worked best on my decks and other wood work. The Cetol probably will do the job, but the wood glue is extra insurance.
 
quote:
Originally posted by lobsta1

I put mine in dry inside the cabin. The deck, I put in with epoxy. On your rails I would try them dry. I would also put the plugs on a baking sheet in the oven at about 140 degrees, first. Then you know they are going in dry & the sun should not shrink them any more. Another thing I found was a Multitool, (Fein), was the best way to trim the plugs down. I used a playing card under the blade as a cushion. Then just sanded flat. I just could not get a chisel sharp enough to trim the plugs cleanly.
Al

Click to expand...


That's interesting on the baking. I've never tried that, but since they are already cut does the baking mean anything to their size? I mean, they end up being the same size as they would eventually get anyway right? Not saying this does not work, just trying to understand it.

Some people use epoxy or someting else aggressive to set them. If you do, you will need to use a forstner bit to get them out later as they won't come free with just a drywall screw down the middle trick.

I either put them in by themselves or with a small amount of wood glue. Nothing else.
 
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