Teak Deck Plugging

[dje67]

I've just removed 2 deck-mounted anchor switches and am now left with a few holes in the teak deck. The larger holes, where the cables went through, will be drilled slightly larger and then 10mm plugs hammered in. That leaves the screwholes. There are 8 little holes where the screws went into the teak. Any suggestions for filling these? The screws were pretty small (around 3mm). I don't want these holes to become water traps.

Ta.

 

[tillergirl]

You can buy smaller plug cutters - min size here is 6mm
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminste...-tapered-plug-cutters-prod452385/?src=froogle

You will have trouble getting a 3mm plug cutter I think so you will need to enlarge the top of the holes slightly to match the smallest you can get.

Have you some off cuts of teak? I can cut you 8 6mm plugs if it's any use?

 

[LittleShip]

Agree with tiller girl ........ make sure that you line up the grain in the wood so they dont stand out.

Tom

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Just whittle down some little pegs and tap in with some glue. Cut down and sand off.....where have the holes gone????

 

[Twister_Ken]

Find a small offcut of teak, saw into bits to produce some sawdust. Mix this with epoxy, and fill the holes using it. (Hint, don't use black epoxy)

 

[xtiffer]

Nice idea in theory but getting the colour match is tricky.
"Clear" epoxy dries quite dark and with teak dust in it much more so.
To get a colour like the original then perhaps you need to experiment with some light stains.
I would use plugs if you have enough depth to handle them.
Cheers,
Chris

 

[Twister_Ken]

Nice idea in theory but getting the colour match is tricky.
"Clear" epoxy dries quite dark and with teak dust in it much more so.
To get a colour like the original then perhaps you need to experiment with some light stains.
I would use plugs if you have enough depth to handle them.
Cheers,
Chris

Should have said that the gloop is nearly all teak dust. Just enough poxy to bind it together. It's what a boat builder did when making good a shake in Indigo's teak toerail. Because I knew where to look I could see it, but most wouldn't have noticed.

 

[dje67]

Thanks everyone for offers of help and advice.

I'm reluctant to make the screwholes much bigger than they are (doesn't seem right to make them even bigger...!) so I'll try the epoxy route. The deck is silver-coloured, so I suspect that colour match will be a mile off. Wonder if, over time, the filler will go silver as well?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Just thinking a bit harder, why not get a tiny offcut, and whittle small plugs to fit, with a bit of poxy to hold them in place. Sand the tops off afterwards. If they're only 3mm in diameter, you'd have to be on your hands and knees to see them anyway.

 

[Seanick]

SPRIGS !

Sprig the 3mm holes.
Cut a 6" length of 6mm x 6mm teak.
Whittle a point onto it.
Dip it into some glue, and drive it in (hammer).
Cut off just above the deck and repeat.
Cut all off flush with a v sharp chisel.
Sand smooth.

Twister ken tpes faster than me!