I have a '76 O'day 25 and would like to remove the teak toe rails to refinish them. Any suggestions or procedures on how to remove the wood plugs that hide the rail mounting screws? The previous owner had varnished the rails and they're now a mess, so I'd also like some suggestions on refinishing them -- Bristol, varnish, or oil? The boat is a red hull boat and the previous owner used New Glass and/or Poli-Glow to get that "wet" look. Anyone have experience with those products, and if so, are they any good? Thanks in advance for comments.
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One way to do it
For pulling the plugs I always drill a pilot hole into the plug and then put a wood screw into it. That way I can pull on the screw and usually get the plug out. If it breaks then I just carefully dig out the remains with a knife. I just purchased Poli-Glow about a week ago and hope to start the process this weekend. Everyone I 'talked' to had good things to say about it. We'll see.
For pulling the plugs I always drill a pilot hole into the plug and then put a wood screw into it. That way I can pull on the screw and usually get the plug out. If it breaks then I just carefully dig out the remains with a knife. I just purchased Poli-Glow about a week ago and hope to start the process this weekend. Everyone I 'talked' to had good things to say about it. We'll see.
Pulling The Toe Rails
I would not pull the rails, too much trouble (leaks, broken rails & etc....a real pain!). I think its easier to refinish the rails on the boat. Just use a good water soluble stripper and refinish with a good "teak oil." Keep the fiberglass well flushed with water when you "strip." With varnish, you will have to do a complete refinish every few years! With "oil" just scrub with a stiff brush and teak cleaner, then put on a couple of coats of new oil each Spring. Good Luck!
I would not pull the rails, too much trouble (leaks, broken rails & etc....a real pain!). I think its easier to refinish the rails on the boat. Just use a good water soluble stripper and refinish with a good "teak oil." Keep the fiberglass well flushed with water when you "strip." With varnish, you will have to do a complete refinish every few years! With "oil" just scrub with a stiff brush and teak cleaner, then put on a couple of coats of new oil each Spring. Good Luck!
Teak Toe Rail and Poli-Glo
King, Check the archives on this site for your questions about Poli-Glo and teak finishes for your toe rails. There has been much helpful info posted on both subjects in the past. I'm a big Poli-Glo fan, have used it for the last five seasons on my O'day 272. I've used oil, Bristol Finish, and currently am using Epiphanes varinsh on all my 272 teak. It's time consuming to apply and you have to like to do it, but it sure looks great. I'm going to try the new Cetol Light followed by the new Cetol clear finish on a motor boat I'm restoring (since I'm treading over to the "dark side" of motorboating thought I should step out and try something new!) You might consider oiling the toe rails or letting them go natural gray and varishing the rest of the woodwork as the toe rails are the hardest thing to varish on the boat (they are small, you break your back bending over them; and runs are tough to avoid, messy, and show up on the deck. You can easily tape the rest of the woodwork and the bigger surfaces are easier to work on with a varish type finish. Best of luck, Frank
King, Check the archives on this site for your questions about Poli-Glo and teak finishes for your toe rails. There has been much helpful info posted on both subjects in the past. I'm a big Poli-Glo fan, have used it for the last five seasons on my O'day 272. I've used oil, Bristol Finish, and currently am using Epiphanes varinsh on all my 272 teak. It's time consuming to apply and you have to like to do it, but it sure looks great. I'm going to try the new Cetol Light followed by the new Cetol clear finish on a motor boat I'm restoring (since I'm treading over to the "dark side" of motorboating thought I should step out and try something new!) You might consider oiling the toe rails or letting them go natural gray and varishing the rest of the woodwork as the toe rails are the hardest thing to varish on the boat (they are small, you break your back bending over them; and runs are tough to avoid, messy, and show up on the deck. You can easily tape the rest of the woodwork and the bigger surfaces are easier to work on with a varish type finish. Best of luck, Frank
Watch Out
I had good results with Island Girl, but tried Poli-Glow -- what a mistake. It was a mess -- the damn stuff was dring on the brush -- I had to strip it off, order Island Girl, and apply it -- never again -- Poli Glow is like putting varnish on our hull.
I had good results with Island Girl, but tried Poli-Glow -- what a mistake. It was a mess -- the damn stuff was dring on the brush -- I had to strip it off, order Island Girl, and apply it -- never again -- Poli Glow is like putting varnish on our hull.
toe rail removal
I removed the toe rails from my oday 25 and had to use a 1/2" drill that cuts a flat bottom hole I am going to use a 1/2"tapered plug cutter to make new plugs.I found that pulling the plug tore a chunk of wood from the rail.If you remove the rails go very slow the rails have a very thick caulking holding the rail in place and if you pry up the rail to much they will break but now I am glad that they are off and will get a new finish
I removed the toe rails from my oday 25 and had to use a 1/2" drill that cuts a flat bottom hole I am going to use a 1/2"tapered plug cutter to make new plugs.I found that pulling the plug tore a chunk of wood from the rail.If you remove the rails go very slow the rails have a very thick caulking holding the rail in place and if you pry up the rail to much they will break but now I am glad that they are off and will get a new finish
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