Our porch steps are 2×6 redwood con heart. Although the knots in the con heart are sound, the oil-based primer is not bonding well to them, and I’m considering routing them out for a “filler Dutchman.†The knots vary in size, not exceeding one inch. The finish is oil-based primer followed by deck paint, and the boards are back-primed. My plan is a) rout out the knots and surrounding area 1/8″ deep (or deeper if that’s desirable), b) fill with filler compound (see below), c) let cure, d) sand and paint.
Any experience with using the epoxy filler more often used to repair trim vs. using water putty (“Fixall”)? And, is a straight bit good enough, or should I back-cut with a dovetail bit?
Bill Houghton
Replies
I'd use epoxy for this repair, but before trying the epoxy rout(e), I would wash the knot with acetone to get rid of the oil and prime and paint it again. I haven't heard of having to rout out redwood knots too often, plus they will chip and blow out if you arent carefull. I'd consider the dovetail bit, but a straight one would be much easier to use.
Edited 7/27/2003 11:35:15 PM ET by markh128
You might try Bondo, which is cheap and available many places. Or Abatron (check the web site). Try using a straight bit, then use a drill to bore a couple of shallow holes at odd angles, which will give the filler something to bite into.Do it right, or do it twice.
A back cut with a dove tail is great idea. A shouldered plug. That would be hard to beat.
Seems like a lot of work, we generally just give them a quick scrub with laquer thinner, then shellac them. A couple of drops of special T before the shellac if the knots are loose.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
From what little experience I've had with the products, water putty and/or fixall aren't really well suited for use in an area that might be subject to lots of moisture. I'd use epoxy if it were my porch.
Dennis in Bellevue WA
[email protected]
To Phoenix, sorry
Rinse with acetone then shellac then prime and paint.
SamT
"Law reflects, but in no sense determines the moral worth of a society.... The better the society, the less law there will be. In Heaven, there will be no law, and the lion will lie down with the lamb.... The worse the society, the more law there will be. In Hell, there will be nothing but law, and due process will be meticulously observed."
Grant Gilmore, The Ages of American Law (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1977), pp. 110-111.From 32866.117
Edited 7/28/2003 2:05:28 AM ET by SamT
I've never encountered a wood whose knots bleed like redwood. In my own situation, when I had some that called for paint, I used stainblocker primers that did nothing. Maybe the acetone and shellac process will work...I never went there.
If it were me, I'd probably remove the steps and replace with a wood that's not as tender as redwood.