That step, spreading epoxy on both the bottom of the planking and the plywood sub-deck, comes next.

Once the epoxy is dry, the screws are all removed. The pilot holes left by the #8 screws are bored out to 3/8" wide to the full depth (1/2") of the decking. Next, full depth 3/8" plugs are inserted - in epoxy - and left to dry. (the adjacent areas - with screws showing - are next for this step)

Once the plugs are dry, the whole surface is sanded flush. You end up with the same result as vacuum bagging the deck in epoxy but with fake plugs in the deck. Unlike typical teak decks - where the plug hides a functioning fastener - the plugs are a permanent part of the decking. The decking can were down with no danger of water intrusion into the sub deck below, through screw holes. There are no screws left in the decking.