Stripped bikini fitting screws in windshield frame

[Cdn20valve]

Hey guys,
My bimini top screws into the windshield frame. My boat has a round aluminum frame. Three screws are stripped out.
I’d like to fix this properly.

-Upsize screw?
-Helicoil 10/24 and use machine screw? (Not sure if there is enough meat in frame to use a helicoil.)
-Aluminum rivet?

any other ideas?

 

[dingbat]

Hey guys,
My bimini top screws into the windshield frame. My boat has a round aluminum frame. Three screws are stripped out.
I’d like to fix this properly.

-Upsize screw?
-Helicoil 10/24 and use machine screw? (Not sure if there is enough meat in frame to use a helicoil.)
-Aluminum rivet?

any other ideas?

The easiest solution is the next side up screw if you can accommodate them

 

[Cofer537]

Speedout might work, but if you don't have a drill I recommend a regular vice grip. Harbor freight has plenty.

I have removed countless round screws like this. Just bite down 100% vertically and apply a lot of pressure. Set the vice very tight, but not so tight that it slips off immediately.

Someone below also recommended slotting the screw head with a dremel - which would also work.

 

[TyeeMan]

If you have enough meat in your windshield frame, you could try a stainless steel threaded insert like this. https://www.mcmaster.com/93340A405/
I use these a lot at work where we have an aluminum mold that would get screwed together. They work great!
Or, can you drill completely through the frame and use a nut and bolt?
Just be REALLY careful to not hit the glass with too long of a screw or drill bit or something like that. I used too long of a screw to hold a snap in on my pass through window, , man that glass blew up into bazillion pieces in about 1/2 second.

 

[Lou C]

As noted above be careful putting in bigger screws if the hole is next to a glass channel, if the screw hits the glass even just the edge of it that piece tempered glass will pop like someone hit it with a BB gun!
now a stripped bikini mount, to me sounds like a wardrobe malfunction

I didn't even try to mount my bimini top to the windshield, I used slider mounts mounted to the coaming panels inside the boat. Much less strain on the windshield frame.