Re finishing wood

[guyren]

I want to remove the wood trim inside my boat. how do I remove the wood plugs covering the screws and where would someone buy replacement plugs? I am not even sure of the type of wood this is. Can anyone recomend a good finish for this type of wood?

Also wondering what type of cleaner to clean the vinyl. It is stained from the poles for the boat cover.

Pictures attached

Thanks

Guy

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Re finishing wood

the plugs are probably glued in, lowes and home depot sells the plugs. i would try putting a screw into the plug and try to pull it out. or take a dremel tool and with a cutting bit and cut it into 3rds and pry out.

this bit will make short work of the plugs.
"http://www.toolbarn.com/product/dremel/562/" home depot has them.

 

[JB]

Re: Re finishing wood

That wood is teak. Do not remove it.

Get a teak kit, cleaner, brightener and oil. Follow the directions.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Re finishing wood

I will disagree with JB - just because it's teak it still can be removed. However I wouldn't for a couple of reasons. First, removing the plugs - or bungs - and then replacing them is a real PITA - of sorts. There are occasions when they won't come out real easy and you get a little knick or gouge around the cutout then your integrity is gone. ( it just doesn't look pretty). Secondly, the bungs have been in there the same amount of time that the surrounding wood has been and have taken on the characteristics of it. To remove the old bungs and replace with new you'll be looking at a lot of sanding to make it all match again. Buy some low stick blue painters tape and protect your gel coat then do what JB has suggested. And no, you won't find teak bungs at Home Depot or Lowes, need a marine purveyor for that. At least I can't find them in my neck of the woods.
There are several good teak cleaning products on the market. All are caustic so use gloves. I would recommend the Amazon teal oil for your sealing coats - excellent stuff. A little sanding with some 180# paper doesn't hurt either ( after cleaning ).

 

[JB]

Re: Re finishing wood

We don't disagree, gcboat. I didn't say that the teak cannot be removed. I said don't do it and suggested what to do instead.

That is essentially what you said.

 

[wire2]

Re: Re finishing wood

I had teak rails with plugs along the back of my boat. They were strictly decoration and formed a dam to hold rainwater on the cover. I drilled a 1/8" hole in the plugs, threaded a #8 wood screw in and pulled the plug out with pliers. I found that over a few years of aging, the weather and teak oil had broken down the glue and they came out easily with a bit of wiggling.

To refinish some other teak, I sanded with 100, then 220 paper, then applied a water based urethane (Port's Marine Finish)

 

[gcboat]

Re: Re finishing wood

Sorry JB - guess I was reading between the lines. All is well.

 

[guyren]

Re: Re finishing wood

Thanks for all the replies, I have a place to start now.

Guy

 

[Sorrento 25]

Re: Re finishing wood

Drill an 1/8" hole, and drive in a long screw until it bottoms on the screw beneath the plug at which point continuing to turn it will pull the old plug out as squarely as it can possibly be done.