Ron:
I have found that black Gorilla “duct” tape works well, although I may try the 3M mailing tape someone suggested. Also, if you are using West System, before you put in an epoxy mixture (like colloidal silica), you are supposed to “wet” the surrounding area first to ensure a strong bond. (The exception is cotton filler, which is not as strong but will weep epoxy into the surrounding area.) Wear a good filter mask when mixing colloidal silica. Bigger, open holes are handled differently than bolt holes. For example, when I replaced my deck fills last year (about a 2 inch open hole), first I removed some of the wood deck core exposed by the hole. I could have wetted the wood with a disposable paint brush -- I like the plastic bristles, which do not fall off during application – but instead I decided to tape the entire hole underneath with Gorilla tape. I then filled the hole with epoxy, went down below and removed the tape while using a container to catch the epoxy draining out, used the same epoxy for the colloidal silica mix, then troweled the mix back into the deck core area where the wood had been removed. There was no doubt about wetting the surface using this method. The colloidal silica mix was a mayonnaise consistency and did not need support underneath while it cured. When the mixture cured, I used one of those round sanding drums that go into your drill to smooth the cured surface, then installed the new deck fills. If you’re just doing bolt holes, on the other hand, no need for colloidal silica and all that fuss – just tape underneath and pour straight West System. Use the slow hardener, and MAKE SURE THE TAPE FULLY COVERS THE HOLE AND IS ON FIRMLY (or you will have a big mess on your hands). You’ll lose a little volume after the pour as the epoxy works its way into the wood core. I usually go back and top it off. If you lose a lot of epoxy, something is wrong – check the tape. If there is no leak at the tape, some internal communication is going on. Good luck. Matt From: Hoyt, Mike via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 8:16 AM To: 'Stus-List' <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Hoyt, Mike <mike.h...@impgroup.com> Subject: Stus-List Re: adding tracks to deck Put tape on the underside to cover the holes before filling with thickened epoxy. Then once cured drill appropriate sized hole in the epoxy for the fastener. Mike Hoyt Persistence Halifax, NS From: Ronald B. Frerker via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Sent: February 16, 2021 7:26 PM To: Matthew via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Cc: Ronald B. Frerker <rbfrer...@yahoo.com <mailto:rbfrer...@yahoo.com> > Subject: Stus-List Re: adding tracks to deck Do you do anything special to keep the epoxy in place until you can put some tape under the glob? Ron Wild Cheri C&C 30-1 STL On Sunday, January 24, 2021, 01:31:10 PM CST, Matthew via CnC-List < <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: Regarding Dennis’ comment about overbored holes being hidden by the track, a trick I like to use is to drill up from underneath and stop when the bit encounters the underside of the deck. The result is that the hole on the deck surface stays the same size. In addition, you know precisely where to place the deck fitting and drill the new hole.
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