Masking plug assmebly

A method for installing a masking plug assembly to protect a hole in a structure, comprising:

• positioning a deformable plug within the hole of the structure, wherein the deformable plug comprises a central opening for receiving an elongate member therethrough, and wherein the deformable plug is composed of a resilient material such that at least a portion of the deformable plug expands horizontally when compressed vertically;
• inserting the elongate member through the central opening of the deformable plug, wherein the elongate member comprises at least one coupling part;
• releasably coupling an upper anvil to the elongate member on a first side of the hole wherein the elongate member is coupled to a central portion of a lower anvil on a second side of the hole, and wherein the upper anvil comprises at least one complementary coupling part configured to be releasably coupled with the at least one coupling part of the elongate member, wherein releasably coupling the upper anvil to the elongate member comprises progressively coupling the at least one coupling part of the elongate member with the at least one complementary coupling part of the upper anvil so as to progressively decrease a distance between the lower anvil and the upper anvil;
• and
• compressing the deformable plug between the lower anvil and the upper anvil such that the deformable plug deforms to seal an interior surface of the hole,
• wherein the portion of the deformable plug is an end portion contacting the lower anvil, and wherein compressing the deformable plug between the lower anvil and the upper anvil comprises compressing the deformable plug such that the end portion of the deformable plug expands horizontally and extends out of the hole of the structure along an interior surface of the hole.

A masking plug assembly for protecting a hole in a structure, comprising:

• a threaded screw comprising a head;
• a threaded washer, wherein the threaded washer is sized to engage the threaded screw;
• and
• a deformable plug comprising a central opening for receiving the threaded screw therethrough, wherein the deformable plug is configured to be positioned within the hole of the structure between the head and the threaded washer such that the head and the threaded washer directly contact the deformable plug, and wherein the deformable plug is composed of a resilient material such that at least a portion of the deformable plug expands horizontally when compressed vertically between the head and the threaded washer,
• wherein the head of the threaded screw comprises an upper diameter and a smaller, lower diameter connected by an angled portion, wherein a top side of the deformable plug comprises a chamfer surrounding the central opening of the deformable plug, and wherein an outer diameter of the chamfer is larger than the lower diameter of the head.