Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Stripped fiberglass screw holes  (Read 1389 times) previous topic - next topic

Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Not sure why this happened; nonetheless, In order to re-attach the back end of the long horizontal mid body trim molding, need to repair at least 2  fiberglass screw holes under the cover strip (photo). What's the most effective material/procedure to use to anchor the screws and minimize the risk of a repeat.
Fiddler
1959 Parris Island grad
40' 2001 U320 Build 5875
1999 Suburban K1500 toad
1986 Corvette Pacecar
ssoftail@comcast.net

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #1 –

I know it sounds like a gimmick, but I have used the stuff linked below with great success.  If the hole is not boogered up too bad, just stick a small strip of this material in the hole and reuse the original screw.  It has worked great for me (Mr. Shadetree Mechanic).

Woodmate 2498 Mr. Grip Screw Hole Repair Kit - Wall Surface Repair Products...

OR, you could fill the holes with epoxy, let it set up, then drill new properly sized screw holes.  This fix is likely more "professional".

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #2 –
Marine Tex is good stuff............Semper Fi.

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #3 –
I have fixed many of these and I use the wooden tooth picks dipped in glue then stuff 2 or 3 into hole and gently use a hammer to drive them in. Cut off flush and voila-it works every time. Do remember the yellow/whit glue as that binds them together.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #4 –
I think just putting in a polyester resin or epoxy into a hole in fiberglass, letting it cure and expecting it to hold a screw will not be a very long duration solution.  The epoxy or resin will just crack as the screw goes in.  It will hold for a while but not long. 

If you have some left over fiberglass mat (short fiberglass fibers spun into a non-woven mat) or get some at NAPA or any car repair parts place, take a small piece and some resin and mix them together until the fiberglass is wet and then use a small nail or toothpick to stuff it in the hole. If some sticks out let it go until the resin firms up, sort of hard rubber, and then use a razor blade to cut it off flush.  You can get some pretty fast setting epoxy or polyester resin so this doesn't take long but give the resin time to fully cure.  The screws you took out are likely drill point screws that will drill a new hole of the correct size.  Don't over drive the screw, snug it up tight.

The resin reinforced with the fiberglass fibers where the screw threads go in will hold well.  John's use of toothpicks and yellow glue might work but I don't think the yellow glue will bond to the fiberglass very well and the toothpicks are subject to getting wet.

Lots of ways to fix almost anything.  Whatever works for you is OK.

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #5 –
I just "jumped" up to the next larger diameter stainless screw. So the head of the screw sticks out a hair more. The old ones weren't holding but were painted to match the coach base paint. Now I have a much, much better hold that should last another 28 years.
And I don't think I will be around then, as that would make me 103 years old.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #6 –
I used toothpicks on mine when I took that trim off.. I think I did read steel wool? helps? could be wrong.. it has happened

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #7 –
Cant get to big of a screw or the trim will not go back on

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #8 –
Larger screw and grind the head down or if it's an option you can enlarge the countersink for the larger screw
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #9 –
I use fine steel wool and a really good epoxy, mix it and fill the hole. When its dry I usually drill a small hole and then screw it together.
I haven't had one let go yet. There is a lot of difference between epoxies so fined a good one.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #10 –
quote" John's use of toothpicks and yellow glue might work but I don't think the yellow glue will bond to the fiberglass very well and the toothpicks are subject to getting wet."

If they get wet you have a problem that should have been addressed before. I believe that these screws are going into the wooden floor material, so caulking these issues would first be done. I found that the metal frames these screws go thru had a problem with water entering at the top of door frames (looking under the angle iron that is at top of door frame) and after caulking all along this metal have had no more issues. The tooth picks have stood up well and last year when I had this trim off along with the fenders I found all screws fitted as "new" and did not have to redo any. So to me it is working. I also used exterior waterproof glue when set.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #11 –
Waterproof glue and toothpicks. Over 15,000 miles and haven't had to retighten one yet. ( fingers crossed ).
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #12 –
I have gone to the larger screw on almost all the screws along the beltline trim strip. All are holding tight.
I noticed when I first started replacing loose screws that it felt like there was only the wall thickness of the steel sill floor wall  that had actually lasted long enough to provide holding power.
Maybe wrong but try probing a hole and you find absolutely nothing after a very short distance in. To me this indicates a void and voids exist inside the box beams.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #13 –
John's toothpicks and waterproof wood glue should be fine along the trim line where there is the wooden floor structure behind the holes.  If you are trying to fix a lose screw hole in fiberglass (like a marker light) with nothing behind it then some other approach might work better.  Choose what works for you.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #14 –
On my coach and probably yours too, those screws pass through the thin fiberglass skin and then into the plywood floor, but at the ends of the strip there may be no plywood.  Toothpicks and glue work well where there is wood, but you may need something else if there is no wood.  Many good suggestions from others above.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Stripped fiberglass screw holes

Reply #15 –
After waiting a day for curing, JB Weld Steelstick from my toolbox worked; drilled a pilot hole on each; screws nice and tight.  Hope it holds.  BTW, probing the last screw hole showed it was almost 6 inches deep???.  Inserted a stopper ~1.25" deep before stuffing it with the JB Weld; the hole previous to the last one was only ~1" deep.
Sincere thx to all for your suggestions.  Great forum; great support as always.
Fiddler
1959 Parris Island grad
40' 2001 U320 Build 5875
1999 Suburban K1500 toad
1986 Corvette Pacecar
ssoftail@comcast.net