aobrien

Most of the interior trim screws were stripped out of my '58. Now I am investigating better/different ways to attach the trim pieces.
I don't care about originality. I just want the easiest method that will produce the most reliable results.

This is what I came up with so far:

• re-glassing/patching and screwing directly into the fiberglass seems like it will just lead to stripped holes again.
• epoxy nut/washer to the panel? I don't think this will work for the door sill plates because the underside is not accessible.
• U-clips? seems like they might work, but I'm not sure how easy they will be to install.

Any advice will be much appreciated!
-Aaron.

68hemi

The simplest and easiest way to deal with this is to use screw anchors. The plastic ones that are used in Sheetrock or the ones used for license plate screws if you can find ones with the small screw holes work well as they will pop into a round hole and have barbs to keep them from spinning. Otherwise you have to reglass the holes for your screws but then it is a one time screw hole that if you over tighten you will stripe the hole whereas the anchors can be used over again.

Nowhere Man

Epoxying the hole shut then pilot hole for a screw. The trick is when tighten the screw is to know when to stop

gbvette62

For about $30 you can get a kit from most Corvette vendors to repair the holes in the door that the door panel screws go into. The kits come with about 20 small metal plates that you rivet to the door and then drill new holes for the door panel screws to screw into. Of course, you can do the same thing with some light tin, which is what I did with my 62 years ago, before the repair kits were available.

You can also repair screw holes in fiberglass using Wellnuts. Wellnuts are rubber plugs with threaded brass inserts in them, that when installed work like a drywall anchor. GM used Wellnuts to attach parts to Corvette's in a number of places, including for mounting voltage regulators, TI amplifiers, dealer installed passenger side mirrors, luggage racks, 78-82 rear security curtains, etc. Any auto parts store that carries AUVECO products should have them or can get them for you. You can also get them in packages of assorted sizes at places like Amazon.

TAlvarez

Another option is Rivet Nuts. I have used quite a few of the aluminum ones on my car. Here are some examples:

rivet nuts | McMaster-Carr

Ted

vjjack04

So, it would seem to me you could get a tube (and gun) of SMC adhesive (maybe the one with a 30 minute working time) and chop up some fiber glass (finely) mix that and fill the holes....I haven't done it but might when i get my car back from paint (of course you'd mask of around the holes)....SMC adhesive is some pretty strong 2 part epoxy....I have used it for many things regarding fiberglass repair.

Lotsacubes

Google Click Bonds floating nutplates. We use them all over our composite aircraft. Just to make ya'll aware of this product. Huge time saver vs the old two rivet method. What I'd do. Cheers

DZVette

I've been a fan of rivnuts in the past but these things look pretty slick; especially where you have room behind the panel.

https://www.clickbond.com/support-de...n-of-nutplate/

Neat product.
Thanks "Cubes"
Dave Z

fogaley

Aaron, Most trim screws are a #8 with an 8 head. For stripped out fiberglass as in door panels try a #10 with a 6 head. You can use a trim washer with the screw and the results will look good. I just did a 61s door panels this way and it looks fine and works.
Au-ve-co https://onlinecatalog.auveco.com/Auveco-Catalog/69/# lists most of the screws you will use.
Ill get you the # for the washers tomorrow. Scott

JrRifleCoach

To prevent those screws from backing out, dip the threads in RTV.

aobrien

I’m going to try them all out and see which one suits me best!

Thanks for the excellent ideas!