Is it possible to fix these terrible hook marks with putty or fill and then sand it? I'm thinking it might affect the weight or add a scent. Anyone ever do this?

Re-wire, new hooks......fish them as is!! The fish do not care!!:tooth:

I like to see now deep a trough the hook swing can dig before the plug breaks in half!!!!:kewl:

Absolutely, you can fill them, sand them, and repaint them. I wouldn't suggest a water based filler (such as elmers) for hook swing damage (when the hook cuts it again it will crumble and lift your paint). A 2 part filler like PC-11 epoxy or Auto body paste works fine. Solvent based Famwood Filler is OK, but hard to use indoors. Others may suggest something better. Once it is dry, sand them smooth, prime, repaint, and clear coat. I wouldn't bother trying to reseal the plug. Sealing doesn't help with hook swing and the inside of the plug would have already been sealed by the manufacturer. Go for it.

Beaver....I will give up a family secret.....use Minwax Wood filler! Dries fast and does not shrink!! I love the stuff!!

Thanks for the help guys. I know the fish really don't care, esp with top water, but it's a confidence thing.

BigFish, I'll try not to give away the family secret.

Min wax "high performance" wood filler .. probably same as Larrys .. 2 part ,, like bondo ..mixes, smells and acts like bondo ,, just a different color .. I think I would sand lightly and re-seal it first though . I'd rather not put filler to that dry splintery wood ..

3rd the minwax filler. Good stuff. Just like bondo.

Same stuff Ed! I think it will adhere better before you seal.....if you plan to re-seal. It will get right into the grain!

You're correct Larry, it does adhere better to bare wood. Seal after fill.

your right again Larry ... just read can after all this time ... never put bondo on wood before ..

Again?? You mean for the first time ever!!:rotflmao:

smells like isbondo

Its virtually the same product!:uhuh:

I have used bondo to repair rotten exterior trim, windowsills etc. where there is a little rotten spot. It always seems to work. We did this before there was the Miniwax stuff and never changed.

I just give mine a little sand, prime a couple of coats, and then paint. I don't know if hook rash is deep enough to really hold any filler.

go4....I didn't think so either until I found these. Seems to be a common occurrence in old Gibbs, at least the ones in my cellar that were severely beaten in their time.

You put a coat of Minwax filler on those and sand and they will be good as new! It will hold!

is this the family secret you speak of Lawrence ?

http://www.minwax.com/products/wood_maintenance_and_repair/high_performance_wood_filler.html

A word from the former paint salesman... don't waste your money on that Minwax stuff... you pay more for a different color! Use bondo, pay less and have the same results. It is the EXACT same thing except for the color. :btu:

Yeah thats it Paul!:uhuh:

I remember you telling me that Davey. I am just forgetful

I remember you telling me that Davey. I am just forgetful

He said in his best "Goliath" voice!:rotf3:

LOL. You are old

Thanks for the help. I did go for the Minwax. Hopefully I'll be posting here soon with some nice, clean, healthy, restored plugs.

They're old, but if they're not collectibles might as well use them, right.

Beav,
New hardware and fish' em. Soak them in bunker oil. :spin:

A word from the former paint salesman... don't waste your money on that Minwax stuff... you pay more for a different color! Use bondo, pay less and have the same results. It is the EXACT same thing except for the color. :btu:

Thanks Dave ... Good one ... stuff is exspensive ... I used the example ;Golf ball size of resin to 1 " squirt of hardener .. very limited working time ... alot of waste .. anyone have a better mix ratio for small batches ?

Thanks Dave ... Good one ... stuff is exspensive ... I used the example ;Golf ball size of resin to 1 " squirt of hardener .. very limited working time ... alot of waste .. anyone have a better mix ratio for small batches ?

Make a "pastry bag" by dumping the mixed stuff into a sandwhich bag and cutting a corner off, squeeze the bondo into the hole and then smooth with a piece of cardboard. Better yet, have someone give you a hand. I lay out a whole pile of blanks and try to work like lightning... sometimes I win----sometimes I lose :doh:

have it cold first, mix it in a cup and put it in some ice water. that is what I have done using it in 95 degree weather outside. It still goes off as soon as it warms up

if it's going off too fast like 3-4 munutes, you may be using too much hardner. small batches just use a little squirt of hardner

I'm trying that plumbers epoxy stuff now