T&T: Teak Deck repair

[Keith]

Here's what I do:

1. Remove the old bung, if anything is left. My deck is 20 years old, so 
when mine pop out, they're darned near paper thin.
2. Take a big hammer and a Phillips (or slot) bit and whack the screw head 
that's in there. This will clear out the slots and loosen the screw.
3. Using a forstner bit of the proper size, clean out the hole by hand (no 
drills!). This will usually make sure that you don't split the deck wood 
when you back the screw out.
4. Using a drill, remove the screw and throw it away or save it for another 
project.
5. Using a drill / countersink combination, drill the hole out a bit deeper, 
so you'll have room for a new bung. You can do this in two steps, but the 
combo unit really makes things go quickly.
6. Vacuum or blow out the hole to get dust, shavings, etc. out.
7. Spray a bit of Tinactin into the hole, to kill any fungus that might have 
gotten started down there and let dry.
8. Using square drive screws, dip the end of the screw into polysulfide 
caulk (I use Lifecaulk) and screw down into the hole. Ideally, you want a 
tiny bit of caulk all around the head of the screw showing, but not a big 
glob. This takes practice.
9. Dip the end of your new bung into Titebond II waterproof glue and insert 
into the hole, making sure the grain lines up with the deck. Tap into place 
with a small hammer. Glue should ideally run out a bit around the bung.
10. Let dry overnight, then go back the next day with a sharp chisel and tap 
the bung and it should come off flush with the deck. I use the same tack 
hammer I used in #9, but you could probably just smack the chisel with the 
back of your other hand. I don't even bother to sand after that... it's 
flush enough not to worry. The chisel should also cut off any excess glue at 
this time.

With the right tools, I do 100 or so of these, assembly line style in less 
than two hours, except for the overnight drying time. Practice makes 
perfect!


Keith
_____
A modest man is usually admired; if people ever hear of him.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Pelton" <f-pelton@mail.vjc.edu>



> Can someone point me to an article or advice for repairing/replacing
> dowels on teak decks.