garboard plug paint on threads & seal?

[kerk fisher]

The yard that painted our bottom sprayed over the open new garboard plug and got paint (VC-17) on the threads. Is this a problem? Also, when the plug is installed should we use teflon tape, or what, or nothing to seal it? Kerk

[SteveLyle]

And all this time I thought I was the only skipper with a garboard plug.

I use teflon tape.

Hard to believe that VC-17 would be much trouble.  It generally has a weak bond, it's got Teflon in it, and I doubt it built up much of a coating.  Screw the plug in without tape on it and it should cut the paint off the threads.  Unscrew it, blow off any residue, tape it up, screw it back and you're good to go.