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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: floridarandy on March 19, 2021, 11:22:14 am

Title: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: floridarandy on March 19, 2021, 11:22:14 am
I need to replace the material in the retainer for the screen door (see picture below). Previous 2 layer plexi cracked so I'm looking for material recommendations for replacement.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: Geodmann on March 19, 2021, 11:26:46 am
PTL Engineering.

Handles and Latching - PTL Engineering (https://u0v.7a4.myftpupload.com/order-parts/handles-and-locks/)
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: rbark on March 19, 2021, 12:01:54 pm
Randy, any old piece of firm rubber/plastic  or such will work. Just cut to fit. I used a divider from a HF box that holds nuts, bolts and screws.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: oldguy on March 19, 2021, 12:05:02 pm
Make a new one out of a piece of stainless steel.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: nitehawk on March 19, 2021, 12:39:29 pm
Plexiglass sucks when it comes to impact. Get some Lexan.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: craneman on March 19, 2021, 12:40:47 pm
The cause of the holder breaking is not having the screen door fastened to the door when closing. I have tried to think up a work around and came up empty. I now use a flexible piece to replace the hard plastic.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: folivier on March 19, 2021, 12:41:13 pm
Black ABS plastic comes in different thicknesses and is easy to cut.  Or use lexan.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on March 19, 2021, 02:14:21 pm
I have lots of Lexan at home, works great.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: rbark on March 19, 2021, 04:46:00 pm
Here's mine
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: Horace B. Cupp on March 19, 2021, 08:35:04 pm
floridarandy,
I used a thick piece of black shoe leather from a shoe shop.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: floridarandy on March 19, 2021, 10:41:53 pm
Thanks to all. Even some simple stuff is easier on the Forum!

Ordered a 1/8" thick 12"x12" piece of Lexan today and will post pics of the result.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: Journey, Roam, Explore on March 21, 2021, 02:26:28 pm
Mine looks a little bit different. It's a piece of black lexan lookin like material. It broke. The first time I tried gorilla glue and that didn't work. The next time I glued it together with thickened epoxy and it's been holding just fine since then. Has Chuck said it breaks when you don't close the screen door properly. You have to seat it into the door and then close the door. You can even make it out of a solid block of wood and then varnish it and that would look good. My guess is it's going to continue to break over time
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: craneman on March 21, 2021, 02:33:46 pm
Mine looks a little bit different. It's a piece of black lexan lookin like material. It broke. The first time I tried gorilla glue and that didn't work. The next time I glued it together with thickened epoxy and it's been holding just fine since then. Has Chuck said it breaks when you don't close the screen door properly. You have to seat it into the door and then close the door. You can even make it out of a solid block of wood and then varnish it and that would look good. My guess is it's going to continue to break over time
Bob, I thought of making a bulletproof piece but thought the weakest link is the holder and if it doesn't break the screen door handle might get bent. So I am using a heavy rubber type material and it will hold the screen when the door is open and give when the door is closed without securing the screen door first.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on March 21, 2021, 02:43:32 pm
Flexible is key.

I had a small remnant of black Roppe stair tread left over from a job that was perfect, 
even the thickness so the screen door isn't loose when it's latched to the entry door.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: Journey, Roam, Explore on March 22, 2021, 05:29:41 pm
Bob, I thought of making a bulletproof piece but thought the weakest link is the holder and if it doesn't break the screen door handle might get bent. So I am using a heavy rubber type material and it will hold the screen when the door is open and give when the door is closed without securing the screen door first.

Smart thinking. I'll do that next time.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: floridarandy on March 22, 2021, 05:45:16 pm
Flexible is key.

I had a small remnant of black Roppe stair tread left over from a job that was perfect, 
even the thickness so the screen door isn't loose when it's latched to the entry door.

Terrific idea T-Man!  I've got some Roppe left over from our interior re-do.  Also some heavier Lexan so I'll experiment.  Thanks for all the terrific suggestions.
Title: Re: Screen Door Retainer
Post by: floridarandy on March 29, 2021, 09:34:44 am
1/8" Lexan. Should do the job.