Tightening stripped screws in hatch lid hinge in fiberglass

[terry4hunt]

Have a 2006, 23' Malibu Wakesetter. The rear hatch lid hinge is attached by screws into fiberglass wich have stripped out. Thinking about going to slightly larger screws and filling hole and screw threads with epoxy until it sets. then tighten and let cure as a solution. Comments?

 

[silverbul]

maybe the plastic inserts that you would use in drywall to put screws in that expand when you put the screw in. know what im talking about?

 

[JASinIL2006]

You also could fill with epoxy, let it cure, and then drill and screw. I would never consider using drywall anchors.

 

[silverbul]

you could also use nutserts. just giving my opinion.

 

[silverbul]

You also could fill with epoxy, let it cure, and then drill and screw. I would never consider using drywall anchors.

btw, there are many anchors for different apps. just saying.

 

[dingbat]

Cutting threads in fiberglas is problematic due to its lack of deformation when worked. You get better results "molding" threads in place.

To that end, the easiest way to repair a stripped thread in fiberglas is with Marine-Tex.

Drill out holes using next size up drill bit to make good clean holes.

Fill holes with marine-Tex

Spray the screws with WD-40 and wipe them off. Then coat them with Marine -Tex and thread them into the hole.

Let dry for 12 hours then back out the screws and remove excess material off the surface.

 

[tpenfield]

My Comments . . .

• Epoxy to tighten up the hole and then use the existing screw.
• Plastic inserts as mentioned

If you can get to the back side of the the area where the screw goes in . . .

• Go with a machine screw/nylock nut combination
• A piece of HDPE plastic (Starboard) on the backside and drill pilot holes for the fasteners.

 

[crazy charlie]

Have a 2006, 23' Malibu Wakesetter. The rear hatch lid hinge is attached by screws into fiberglass wich have stripped out. Thinking about going to slightly larger screws and filling hole and screw threads with epoxy until it sets. then tighten and let cure as a solution. Comments?

Been there, done that.If you wanna use the same screws, clean the holes with a rattail file and slightly enlarge them.Wipe with acetone when done.Take your screws and tightly and totally wrap them in single layer aluminum foil so you still have the ridges in the screw..Fill the holes with epoxy pushing as much of the epoxy into the holes as you can.Now insert the foil covered screws into the epoxy filled holes .Let sit till totally dry and then unscrew the screws and you should be good to go .BTW dont use dollar store epoxy..lol Charlie