Remove deck pad eyes

[dhays]

Hi Folks,

This is a very elementary question, but then I'm simple-minded. When I bought Legacy it had lifeline webbing. It was one of the first things that we removed when we took delivery. Unfortunately, it left in place a lot of these small stainless pad eyes that are screwed into the deck, both in areas with gray non-skid as well as areas with white gel coat.

These pad eyes are annoying. They catch your feet and provide a place for dirt to accumulate. I want them gone. I can take them off easy enough, but what would be the best way to fill the resulting holes that will not only prevent any water intrusion into the deck core, but also look reasonably decent. Here is a photo of one on the deck.

[john1066]

I'd fill the screw holes with a thickened epoxy - West 403 or 406 - and 'stipple' the surface with the end of a paint brush to try and match the deck surface. When set, touch up with the appropriate paint colour if the natural off-white of the epoxy is too obvious.

[pdqaltair]

If you mask the hole with a bit of masking tape with a hole punched in it (hole punch) the work tends to go faster and neater. Get a smaller hole punch that nearly matches the screws.

[ramminjammin]

drill out the holes to provide fresh material to bond to

[Silvio]

All of the above and I will add that Marinetex comes in WHITE as well as black. White is much better to use on a light deck, ask me how I learned that one.

[Faster]

What I don't get is why didn't they simply attach the webbing to the perforated toerail in the first place??

(doesn't help you, I know, but just sayin.....)

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by ramminjammin

drill out the holes to provide fresh material to bond to

Quite possibly.

One thing you don't know is what the PO used for bedding; if he used silicone and it's in the holes (probably) then some clean-up is surely needed.

[puddinlegs]

Originally Posted by Faster

What I don't get is why didn't they simply attach the webbing to the perforated toerail in the first place??

(doesn't help you, I know, but just sayin.....)

Probably because someone told them that the toe rail might break.

[JimsCAL]

You will need to cover the epoxy with something as epoxy is damaged by UV. Best would be gelcoat, but paint is OK.

[Stu Jackson]

Marine Tex comes in gray. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearch?Ns=Most%20Popular|0

What could be easier?