nail filler

[tamarackstyle]

I am restoring a 1952 wooden boat. some of the nails (being 50 years old) have started to rust. Once i get her down to bare wood I was planning to set the nails (below the surface) seal them, and then renail the entire boat. My question is- Does anyone know of a good filler that will fill my nail holes, that is sandable and that will also seal . Thanx

 

[oldboat1]

Re: nail filler

Well, thickened epoxy comes to mind -- Thicken to peanut butter consistency with sawdust. Sand flush after epoxy sets up, then prime/paint or varnish.<br /><br />interesting project you have there....

 

[crab bait]

Re: nail filler

OLDBOAT gives good advice .. try to use the same kind of wood .. it will come out darker ,, but will look good . if you don't have any sawdust,, make some with a sander.. then i screen it with a sive or a window screen .. i've actually have removed a screen from my window , used it an put it back.. use only the " fine stuff " it's just better..

 

[tamarackstyle]

Re: nail filler

Thank you for yor suggestions. my concern was that rust would come thru the new finish. right now there are only about four of them doing this. I was given some advice not to set the nails being that they are so old, and probably boat(square) nails I would upset their hold. I was told to just encapsulate the rust, leave them where they are and go ahead and renail.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: nail filler

Marine-Tex

 

[crab bait]

Re: nail filler

if your gonna renail prob close to the same spot.... why not set the old nail.... if we'er on the same page....to get the set with 'poxy on top is imparitive...it doesn't need much,,, it just needs to be

 

[Hooty]

Re: nail filler

If this is a properly built wooden boat, the only thing the nails were for was to hold everything together until the glue set.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[tamarackstyle]

Re: nail filler

There is a product ive used for auto called POR 15. which is amazing stuff. Its like a paint that you apply directly over rust and it dries rock hard forever encapsulating it. The co. actually suggests that you not take off all the rust as this product needs it to perform properly. Another key note is it uses moisture to cure. Well as it turns out they now have a marine division and one of their products they carry is the same stuff but in a thicker form to fill holes in wood, metal and plastic. Ive mailed the co. with the details of my project asking for their opinion. Ill let you know, but this seems like it may be the ticket.