Fiberglass question
I've got several screw holes in my car that have been enlarged too much for the screws to hold. Does anyone one have any ideas or experience on how to deal with this? I'm hoping there is something like an epoxy or something that I can fill them with and then re-drill them. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Re: Fiberglass question
Ashley,
You can make a paste of resin and hardener with some fiberglass mat cut into small pieces. Just cut tiny pieces of mat and addto the mixture until it's a nice thick consistincy that won't run. Clean, scuff and prep the holes you want filled before mixing the filler and just apply it when ready. Once dry you can re drill for new screws. You can also make small metal strips large enough to cover the hole and use pop rivets on each side. Drill the panel hole in the center of the metal strip and use standard interior trim screws. This type of repair will out last the fiberglass. Just make sure that your metal strips can't be seen once the interior panel is installed. Finally in some applications you can use the plastic inserts sold in home stores to use in sheet rock for picture hanging etc. Just drill the correct size hole, push in the insert and the screw expands the plastic making a tight fit. Good luck. Rich -
Re: Fiberglass question
Dyna-Glass by Dynatron. Short strand Fiberglass filler that is used with a hardener to set. Once set it can be sanded, sealed, drilled, and painted. Make sure it is to applied to thoroughly clean and dry bare Fiberglass surface. Test it first on something Fiberglass that is expendable.Comment
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Re: Fiberglass question
Depends on where and size of the hole. For the engine compartment I pop out appropriate sized fiberglass discs from scrap fiberglass panels with a hole punch. I then epoxy the plug into the hole with a viscous epoxy. If the hole is on a body panel and will be exposed, I dish and glass with a shredded fiberglass matt as others have suggested. If in an inner fender I leave it as is. Repairs have held up for many years so far.
For door panels I saw where someone cut a very narrow slot in the glass door and inserted a J nut. Looks like it was an intended engineering design.... will never fail.
JoeComment
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Re: Fiberglass question
I just use plastic drywall plugs. Sometime I have to enlarge the hole slightly and paint the back of the plug to match the color of the surrounding fiberglass. Works good.
PierreComment
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Re: Fiberglass question
Be sure to countersink the hole, preferably from both sides, to give the filler more surface to adhere to and to form a "pull out proof plug". Either make your own mix as suggested or use a glass filled commercially available product such as Dyna-Glass. Overfill the hole and, if you can, back it up on both sides with waxed paper and a hard surface (clamp a board, stiff cardboard, sheet metal, etc. over the repair) to force the resin into the hole and expel any bubbles until it's set. Even just put waxed paper both sides and squeeze the material into the hole by hand if that's all you can do. Leave the repair material a little above the original surface to allow finish sanding to make it flush. Make the countersink as large and flat as practical. You want to increase the area of the repair around the hole to provide plenty of bonding surface for the new material or you'll just drill out the repair or break it out when you install the screw.Comment
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Re: Fiberglass question
Thanks for all the help. Sounds like the Dyna-glass route will be the best option for me. My first holes to repair are going to be those in the trunk that hold the trunk latch/wheel-well piece down.Comment
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Re: Fiberglass question
Corvette Central has sold a "hole repair kit" for many years - steel plates pre-drilled for pop rivets, and the rivets. Just rivet the plate behind the hole, position the part and mark the screw hole location, drill the plate, and drive the screw. Permanent repair.
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Re: Fiberglass question
61 door hole repair
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