Loose screws in instrument panel

[horsemel]

About half of the screws in the instrument panel and cover are loose and don't grip well.  What's the best solution?  I can't find it in the knowledge base.  When I put in "loose screws" for the search criteria I get the membership list. :)

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

You might try larger screws.

[Stu Jackson]

Mark, I'm back in the electrical panel so often that I only put three of the six screws back in.

In answer to your question, you have a few options:

---  use small toothpicks and stick them in the holes, then screw in

---  try some plastic wood in the holes

Larger screws may not fit in the holes, but longer ones would.

[Ken Juul]

The tooth pick trick works great! If the holes go all the way through the wood the toothpicks are sometimes pushed out.  If that is the case put a spot of caulking in the hole first to hold the pieces in place.

[Ralph Masters]

Mark,
That was funny, membership list indeed.

Ralph

[Ron Hill]

Mark : I've done the toothpick fill like Ken and Stu, but found that some 5 minute epoxy on the toothpick does wonders.  I've also carefully epoxy ed a nut on the inside and then used a bolt instead of a screw. 
Also us a finishing washer to make it look better!

You can also try larger diameter screws and always use a hand screw driver to tighten them. 
I believe - The factory used a screw driver bit in a drill.  That's why the holes got enlarged.   A few thoughts

[horsemel]

Thanks guys.  I will give the toothpicks a try.  I do that in my wood shop, but thought perhaps with fiberglass that it might be different.

[mel low]

I pushed in plastic Sheetrock anchors and screwed the same screws back in. This has also worked on cabinet screws that the fiberglass has stripped out.