Teak plugs in exterior trim

[Randy]

I'll be re-installing my exterior teak trim...Should the teak plugs covering the screws be installed with an adhesive or glue, or should they be dipped in the teak finish (in my case, Cetol Light), and then inserted? The old ones I drilled out had a dab of silicone underneath, which had to be cleaned out of the screw head before the screw could be backed out.Randy

 

[Paul]

Cetal

is all I used. My plugs were snug . Once in, I just did light sanding to smooth to surrounding area and put on a few coats of Cetal. If the edges of the hole are rough, just fill with some wood filler, sand and coat with Cetal. Mine have been in place for almost two years now with no problem.Paul

 

[R.W. Landau]

tapered plugs

If you use tapered plugs, just tap them in and the finish the teak. The varnish or Cetol will help stabilize the plugs and your screw heads will not be gummed up the next time you rebed the rails. r.w.landau

 

[Richard Marble]

How to install and make your plugs.

Buy a plug cutter, get a scap of teak and you can make all the plugs you need any time you want. You can also by them in 100 per lot bags for only $5.79 (3/8 size) from Hamilton Marine, Portland Maine. Unless your planning on taking them back off for some reason use wood glue on the plugs. After their in wash off any extra glue with a wet (not damp) rag when the water has dried enough to sand the wood, sand the plugs flush. The glue in any small cracks will hold the saw dust you made from sanding and all cracks will be gone. After everything is dry finish with cetal. Your plugs will never give you a problem. Make sure you wash off the extra glue right after you put the plugs in and make sure you use some water. Don't use just a damp rag.

 

[Les Andersen]

Plugs

Randy,If you have a router and a rabbitt or dado cutter you can set the cutter flush with the bottom of the router and cut the plugs down after they are installed. Gets them right down to the surface and little sanding will be required for finishing.Have FunLess/v Mutual Fun