How would you seal these screw holes?

[void7910]

I’ll be resealing the screw holes in my deck shortly. Carpet snap screws are pretty straight forward, however there is a composite panel over my gas tank cavity with the screw holes being under the panel. I am concerned if I coat the screw and install most of the sealant will come off on the panel and not in the deck. My only thought is to pack the hole with sealant using a tooth pick then install the panel and screws. Any better ideas? Diagram attached.

 

[Chris1956]

Why not drill some pilot holes thru the panel into the deck? Now pull the panel and fill the pilot holes in the deck with silicone. Now install the panel, coat the screws in silicone and install them.

 

[void7910]

Why not drill some pilot holes thru the panel into the deck? Now pull the panel and fill the pilot holes in the deck with silicone. Now install the panel, coat the screws in silicone and install them.

Pilot holes already exist, just resealing. This was my thought as well; I was going to use 4200 and fill the holes in the deck prior to installation, but you’re right I should probably coat the screws too.

 

[airshot]

Does this sit out in weather all the time or is it constantly getting soaked? If not why seal it ?

 

[Horigan]

I would just use a tooth pick to fill the holes in the deck with 4200.

 

[void7910]

Does this sit out in weather all the time or is it constantly getting soaked? If not why seal it ?

It sits in a slip 6 months a year, covered with sunbrella fabric. That said covers are never 100% weatherproof and we do get caught out in rain from time.

 

[Scott Danforth]

squirt some sealant in the holes, run the screw in, wipe with your finger, move to next hole... when done, go boating.

 

[airshot]

It sits in a slip 6 months a year, covered with sunbrella fabric. That said covers are never 100% weatherproof and we do get caught out in rain from time.

If under cover, how much water is going to get in thru a screw hole with a screw in it ?? I wouldn't even worry about a few drips that might get thru...

 

[void7910]

If under cover, how much water is going to get in thru a screw hole with a screw in it ?? I wouldn't even worry about a few drips that might get thru...

Had a Maxum 1800 with wet foam. Since then I have become paranoid. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[stresspoint]

squirt some sealant in the holes, run the screw in, wipe with your finger, move to next hole... when done, go boating.

what would we do without the internet.

 

[Bondo]

what would we do without the internet.

Ayuh,...... Go boating, of course,.....

 

[KJM]

If those are threaded bolts and not actually screws, and you are really paranoid about it....you could make thin rubber washers out of a rubber boot patch or something and tighten them down. Then seal over the top, buts likely overkill.

 

[tank1949]

I’ll be resealing the screw holes in my deck shortly. Carpet snap screws are pretty straight forward, however there is a composite panel over my gas tank cavity with the screw holes being under the panel. I am concerned if I coat the screw and install most of the sealant will come off on the panel and not in the deck. My only thought is to pack the hole with sealant using a tooth pick then install the panel and screws. Any better ideas? Diagram attached.

Lots of unknowns...Will you need access to tank area again??? Is the deck panel you removed all glass or mixture of wood? Will screws be covered with something removable like I/O carpet so boaters will not see them? If it were me, I'd counter sink screw hole, coat screws with 5200 or silicon, attach deck and then fill screw indent with an off-color caulk, 5200, etc so I could find and remove screws/deck if I needed to. I also assume you will caulk panel 360 degrees to cavity. Water and condensation will eventually get in, regardless. Nature always wins. Good luck!