How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole in Plastic?

Suppose you are working with screw holes in plastic and as natural as it is, one of the screws gets damaged and falls out of the hole? Yes, you can easily just replace a new screw in the hole or even re-use the old screw, but that is not what we recommend because the hole would not hold the new placement screws as tightly.

You would not always want to call in a handyman just to fix some screw holes, right? Guess what? Now is time for you to explore your handyman skills! Working with tools and screws might sound like a tricky business, but we have got your back with some tips and tricks on how to fix a stripped screw hole in plastic.

How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole in a Plastic Electrical Box?

Below are the made-easy steps that you can follow to strip a hole in the plastic. Follow these steps and you’ll be good to go.

1. Using Plastic Screw Hole Repair Kits

This specialized tool which is built for the exact purpose of fixing stripped screw holes is one of the best gears you can lay your hands on. It will come in handy for other screw works related to plastic as well.

These kits come in the form of pieces of plastic which are somewhat like wall plugs, are used to make a gripping surface from the replacement screws. Repair kits are sometimes made of thin pieces of other materials as well.

2. Usage of Larger Screws

Using a drill bit to insert larger screws to fix stripped holes is a smart technique if you are not worried about how it is going to look. Wider and longer screws that are comparatively bigger than the previous screws that were put in the existing screw hole can be used to fix the holes.

The larger screws have a better diameter. Using a wider screw will give you a better grip around the existing hole while using longer screws will give you a better reach inside the hole where the previous screws could not go.

3. Using Plastic Wall Plugs

Plastic plugs might require a little drilling to be inserted into stripped screw holes, but they come in a smaller diameter and it will give a neat look to your workpiece.

4. Using Plastic Anchors

These anchors are the best for lightweight workpieces and will work great when used with the help of a plastic screw hole repair kit.

Make sure to buy the anchors according to the intended screw hole size and drill them in. You can also hammer them in or use plastic glue to insert the anchors in the stripped holes.

5. Using Auto Body Filler

Auto body fillers are a mixture of compounds that are found in almost every automotive tool store. It is a bit of a long process, but very effective.

This can be used as a great filling by putting the mixture into the stripped hole. Put a screw in the putty. Then, spray lubricant at the end of the screws so it helps you unscrew afterward. Let the filler dry for about 3 or 4 minutes.

Afterward, clean the filler that is sticking out of the hole and remove the screw and wait for the filler to harden and fix the hole on its own.

6. Toothpicks and Match Sticks

You might not always have other hardware available in your house but you will surely find toothpicks or matches lying around here and there.

When using toothpicks, insert a cluster of toothpicks into the hole and cut them flush according to your workpiece. Make sure you use wood glue to ensure that the toothpicks stick and stay together.

If you are using match sticks, repeat the same method but this time you must cut the heads off the match sticks off before filling the hole.

7. Using Pieces of a Spare Board

Even though using toothpicks and match sticks do the trick momentarily, it is not a long-term solution since the wood quality is not that good.

Therefore, take a spare board and cut it into multiple pieces. Then, group it with wood glue like the previous method. This alternative method will ensure the longevity of the fixed holes.

8. Using Wood Dowels

Wood dowels come in a larger size and diameter. They can be used to work on larger stripped holes.

However, drilling is required for the wood dowels to be inserted into the hole. Then, cut them flush aligning to your workpiece and your work would be done!

9. Using a Golf Tee

Yes! You heard it right. Even if this is not the most famous method of fixing screw holes, it surely is a sly urgent solution.

Slather your golf tee with glue and insert it into the stripped hole that you wish to make tighter. Then, simply cut the rest of the tee that is sticking out and let it dry.

This method is used as a shortcut method if you are unable to find toothpicks or matchsticks and carry out the method we previously mentioned.

Final Words

That was everything on how to fix a stripped screw hole in plastic. All the information combined above is good enough for you to give the screw work a chance. Fixing stripped screw holes in plastic can be a tiring and stressful experience, but with the right tools and help of our information, it should be a piece of cake.

Remember to always read through the instruction guide of each tool mentioned above and maintain safety precautions! What are you waiting for then? Spot any stripped screw holes around the house and start working on it today!

Now, let’s take a look at some common FAQs and see if it answers any questions you might have.

FAQs

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