screw this

[hullken]

What type of screws can i use to anchor something like a drink holder or gps mount into fiberglass dash or body. what will hold and not just strip out.

 

[cbavier]

Re: screw this

What type of screws can i use to anchor something like a drink holder or gps mount into fiberglass dash or body. what will hold and not just strip out.

I would suggest you use stainless steel Machine threaded screws with washers and Nuts behind it. Just plain screws will rust and if you just screw something into the fiberglass with no backing. It will eventually wear and fall out if you don't strip it putting them in first. If you can put a small wooden block behind and screw into the block that will work. Put a piece of masking tape over the fiberglass before you begin to drill so you don't splinter the fiberglass. If you use the block drill the hole slightly bigger than the screw.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: screw this

What type of screws can i use to anchor something like a drink holder or gps mount into fiberglass dash or body. what will hold and not just strip out.

Choose a drill bit size that is very slightly smaller than the root diameter of a Stainless Steel sheet metal type screw. A phillips pan head is my preference. Drill the pilot hole, then chamfer it with a larger drill bit or chamfer bit. This will keep you from pooching (lifting) up the surface of the glass around the hole.

Then run the screw in. No muss, no fuss. The only reason you need to use a machine thread and nut is if there is excessive vibration, heavy weight or constant movement of the fitting you are trying to secure.

 

[chaddemler1980]

Re: screw this

the above is correct completely. i just did alot of this on my boat... first option is best nuts and bolts with washers. then the wood block underneath to screw into.... but if you have acces to put a wood block into it then you should be able to use nuts and bolts. but occasionaly you cant get access... so i would suggest "as i did" tape where you want to drill and drill slow with a shard bit and little pressure, drill enough just so you catch the screw threads or you risk cracking..."better to have screw come out rather than breaking a piece of fiberglass off with it" if it is to be a more permanent mount "not gonna take it off in a month" then use an epoxy adhesive with the screws only method.

 

[chaddemler1980]

Re: screw this

using screw alone with no backing is bad idea... eventually someone will hit it or pull on it and your screws will rip out.

 

[hullken]

Re: screw this

sounds good. could any of you guys also tell me the steps needed to paint the boat. I've painted cars before but not fiberglass. Do i need to rough up the paint and prime or what?

 

[Bondo]

Re: screw this

I've painted cars before but not fiberglass. Do i need to rough up the paint and prime or what?

Ayuh,.....

Same ole Same ole.......

Sanding is the key to the Preperations.......

 

[Robj]

Re: screw this

Use SS nylock nuts. If you just use regular they will loosen over time.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[Coors]

Re: screw this

Bolt it with any backing. To start the hole, run the bit in reverse, including the pilot hole.

 

[WizeOne]

Humbug, I say...

Humbug, I say...

....backing and/or nuts are completely unnecessary for the GPS bracket or drink holders. If you are screwing into fiberglass, using properly sized pilot holes, the glass fibers will hang onto the screws for the next 30+ years.

Those items have little weight and create no vibration or extreme leverage. I am one for overkill when necessary but not when not. I have many parts on my 35 year old boat that were screwed down at the factory and remain solid to this day.

 

[Coors]

Re: Humbug, I say...

Re: Humbug, I say...

....backing and/or nuts are completely unnecessary for the GPS bracket or drink holders. If you are screwing into fiberglass, using properly sized pilot holes, the glass fibers will hang onto the screws for the next 30+ years.

Those items have little weight and create no vibration or extreme leverage. I am one for overkill when necessary but not when not. I have many parts on my 35 year old boat that were screwed down at the factory and remain solid to this day.

what boat has this worked on for 30 years?

 

[WizeOne]

Re: screw this

Coors, if ya want a little insurance, put a dab of 3m 4200 or Poly adhesive on the screw threads and they will still be there when the boat disinegrates around them.

Same same for the screws that come with the SmartTabs. No backing, no nuts there!

 

[Coors]

Re: screw this

The smart tabs screws are in 1 1/2 inches or wood. Not 3/16" f/g