Maintenance Question

[martyn8677]

Doing some work on my camper, an 2004 Outfitter Apex 8. Some of the exterior screws (for example, the ones attaching the ladder) have rusted and are stripped. If I want to replace those, should I try to put in a slightly larger screw, or should I put something (and if so, what?) into the hole before putting in a new screw? Option 2 would make the screw difficult to get back out if necessary.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Jfet]

I was going to exclusively use stainless screws in our camper build even on the screws not exposed, but I quickly found stainless screws are about as strong as a wet noodle compared to zinc coated steel. I still use them in exposed areas though.

[Photomike]

martyn8677 wrote:

Photomike wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:
One little trick when you're reinserting the screw is to push some wooden toothpicks into the hole first. It will allow the screws to snug in nicely without adding goops or gunks to the hole. If you're worried about water intrusion into the hole, put a layer of silicone caulk on the screw threads before you insert them. It will seal the hole and the toothpicks will allow the screw to tighten up. The silicone caulk will allow the screws to be removed easily in the future.

This is exactly how to do it. Only thing that I do on larger holes is first put some glue in the hole.

I bought a couple bags (2 different size screws used on my TCer) of stainless, then as I have time or I notice a rusted or loose screw I will replace.

I assume wood glue?

I use wood glue but I know others that use epoxy.

[ronday]

Those are good ideas. Another I have used (on the ladder or door grab handle) if there is a cabinet on the inside I drilled clear thru and used a bolt with a fender washer on the inside. Makes a much stronger fastener like on the ladder. I got a buy on stainless steel and replaced all the screws on the last 5ver I owned.Ron

[martyn8677]

Photomike wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:
One little trick when you're reinserting the screw is to push some wooden toothpicks into the hole first. It will allow the screws to snug in nicely without adding goops or gunks to the hole. If you're worried about water intrusion into the hole, put a layer of silicone caulk on the screw threads before you insert them. It will seal the hole and the toothpicks will allow the screw to tighten up. The silicone caulk will allow the screws to be removed easily in the future.

This is exactly how to do it. Only thing that I do on larger holes is first put some glue in the hole.

I bought a couple bags (2 different size screws used on my TCer) of stainless, then as I have time or I notice a rusted or loose screw I will replace.

I assume wood glue?

[Photomike]

TucsonJim wrote:
One little trick when you're reinserting the screw is to push some wooden toothpicks into the hole first. It will allow the screws to snug in nicely without adding goops or gunks to the hole. If you're worried about water intrusion into the hole, put a layer of silicone caulk on the screw threads before you insert them. It will seal the hole and the toothpicks will allow the screw to tighten up. The silicone caulk will allow the screws to be removed easily in the future.

This is exactly how to do it. Only thing that I do on larger holes is first put some glue in the hole.

I bought a couple bags (2 different size screws used on my TCer) of stainless, then as I have time or I notice a rusted or loose screw I will replace.

[martyn8677]

TucsonJim wrote:
One little trick when you're reinserting the screw is to push some wooden toothpicks into the hole first. It will allow the screws to snug in nicely without adding goops or gunks to the hole. If you're worried about water intrusion into the hole, put a layer of silicone caulk on the screw threads before you insert them. It will seal the hole and the toothpicks will allow the screw to tighten up. The silicone caulk will allow the screws to be removed easily in the future.

Awesome idea. Thanks. I'm all over that like a chicken on a junebug.

[Grandpere]

TucsonJim wrote:
One little trick when you're reinserting the screw is to push some wooden toothpicks into the hole first. It will allow the screws to snug in nicely without adding goops or gunks to the hole. If you're worried about water intrusion into the hole, put a layer of silicone caulk on the screw threads before you insert them. It will seal the hole and the toothpicks will allow the screw to tighten up. The silicone caulk will allow the screws to be removed easily in the future.

X2

[TucsonJim]

One little trick when you're reinserting the screw is to push some wooden toothpicks into the hole first. It will allow the screws to snug in nicely without adding goops or gunks to the hole. If you're worried about water intrusion into the hole, put a layer of silicone caulk on the screw threads before you insert them. It will seal the hole and the toothpicks will allow the screw to tighten up. The silicone caulk will allow the screws to be removed easily in the future.

[martyn8677]

thanks guys, was planning on using stainless also.

What substance should I put in the hole to snug the screw? Wood glue? Some type of epoxy?

[remdog_1]

Had same problem with 4 screws where electric plugs in, I removed them and took one with me, replaced with stainless screws. As I notice any rusty screws, I am replacing with stainless.

[RoadRangerChip]

Either one of those options would work just for replacing a screw and snugging it in. But take a good look at the screw. Is it entirely rusty or just the head. If the entire threads are rusty then most likely the wood surrounding the crew is rotten. Check to see if the immediately surrounding screws are in the same shape.