interior screws
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
interior screws
I hope this hasn't been gone over too many times already...
My interior is very original, but has been taken apart for radio installation and an alarm system. Both seem to be very professionally done and the receipts show the PO paid top dollar for the jobs back in the 80s. I've been exploring a little, and making minor fixes. I have found many screws are no longer biting. I'd really like for the screw heads to look right. What are my options?
Also, the ones going through heavy padded areas like the top three on the lower dash pads have a conforming washer. Can these be purchased? Loose screws are driving me nuts.
My interior is very original, but has been taken apart for radio installation and an alarm system. Both seem to be very professionally done and the receipts show the PO paid top dollar for the jobs back in the 80s. I've been exploring a little, and making minor fixes. I have found many screws are no longer biting. I'd really like for the screw heads to look right. What are my options?
Also, the ones going through heavy padded areas like the top three on the lower dash pads have a conforming washer. Can these be purchased? Loose screws are driving me nuts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Are some of your screw heads beat up or rusty? Not necessarily for the interior screws, but I've been soaking some of my bolts, nuts, washers, screws, etc. in white vinegar for a few days to remove the rust ... then filing the burrs smooth with a hand file and buffing with a wire brush and/or buffing machine.
I'll probably use Eastwood's blackening solution for the flat black ones.
I've never seen the conforming washers sold separately.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Screw Sets
Screw sets are cheap, and each screw is labeled with what it's for. I used a plastic repair epoxy, two part mix like playdough. stuffed into the screw holes as best I could, then when cured drilled with a tiny drill bit. So far, has worked well. There's probably a better product, but this was available locally. This was on plastic stuff, like the dash pad, etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Your problems will be caused by two conditions as listed below with suggested fixes:
1) the joint requires a sheet metal U-clip to be placed over the piece having the thru hole and the screw engages with the [missing] U-clip; solution....buy and install the correct U-clip.
2) the thru hole is enlarged from repeated removals/installations; solution....mix a bit of JB Weld 2-part putty-epoxy and put it behind and into the thru hole. Allow it to harden then re-drill the proper size hole at the same location. Reinstall component and screw.
For some situations, folks have inserted a small wall anchor into an enlarged hole. This will work, but I prefer to fill and re-drill such holes. This method will work for fiber, plastic or metal pieces having drilled holes.
1) the joint requires a sheet metal U-clip to be placed over the piece having the thru hole and the screw engages with the [missing] U-clip; solution....buy and install the correct U-clip.
2) the thru hole is enlarged from repeated removals/installations; solution....mix a bit of JB Weld 2-part putty-epoxy and put it behind and into the thru hole. Allow it to harden then re-drill the proper size hole at the same location. Reinstall component and screw.
For some situations, folks have inserted a small wall anchor into an enlarged hole. This will work, but I prefer to fill and re-drill such holes. This method will work for fiber, plastic or metal pieces having drilled holes.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
Your problems will be caused by two conditions as listed below with suggested fixes:
1) the joint requires a sheet metal U-clip to be placed over the piece having the thru hole and the screw engages with the [missing] U-clip; solution....buy and install the correct U-clip.
2) the thru hole is enlarged from repeated removals/installations; solution....mix a bit of JB Weld 2-part putty-epoxy and put it behind and into the thru hole. Allow it to harden then re-drill the proper size hole at the same location. Reinstall component and screw.
For some situations, folks have inserted a small wall anchor into an enlarged hole. This will work, but I prefer to fill and re-drill such holes. This method will work for fiber, plastic or metal pieces having drilled holes.
1) the joint requires a sheet metal U-clip to be placed over the piece having the thru hole and the screw engages with the [missing] U-clip; solution....buy and install the correct U-clip.
2) the thru hole is enlarged from repeated removals/installations; solution....mix a bit of JB Weld 2-part putty-epoxy and put it behind and into the thru hole. Allow it to harden then re-drill the proper size hole at the same location. Reinstall component and screw.
For some situations, folks have inserted a small wall anchor into an enlarged hole. This will work, but I prefer to fill and re-drill such holes. This method will work for fiber, plastic or metal pieces having drilled holes.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I've fixed those two ways - epoxying the hole entirely closed, then re-drilling at the appropriate size, or the way the Previous Idiot did it - with a plastic drywall anchor.