[HoosierDaddy]

The Phillips head screws that attach the molding onto the sides of my Newell loosen over time. I'm wondering if anybody else has this problem and have you found a solution?? I replaced a few of them with stainless steel screws because they were slightly rusty.

[larryweikartsr]

I have tightened many over the years by putting steel wool in the holes and then screwing the original screws back in.

[pairodice]

What about using LocTite on them? I noticed there were some loose screws (besides the crew) on our new coach...

[mnhoff]

remove screw, fill hole with clear silicone and replace screw. Has worked well for me.

[Richard]

Dean,

If it's slightly loose, I will replace with same size stainless, and squirt some Loctite blue on the threads.

If it won't tighten, I size up one diameter, and use an oval head SS stainless. I use the oval head so that the larger head diameter has a smoother look than an oversize flathead would have.

[pairodice]

Don't use caulk/silicone that has acid in it... it will cause rust... I can't remember which caulk does this but I normally stick with the more expensive Sikoflex (or whatever it's called) for anything touching metal... Someone help me out here... I have it in my toolbox but can't remember the name ...

[HoosierDaddy]

Thanks guys, I have used Sikoflex on my old Airstream.

[77newell]

If you can smell a vinegar smell in the sealant you do not want to use it with aluminum as it will eat the metal. Almost all silicon sealants popularly available will have that smell. You can ask specialty houses for a nuetral cure silicon sealant that is safe to use.

I have used WEST epoxy with added silica filler to close up the stripped hole, let cure, redrilled, added a bit of epoxy to the screw thread and reinstalled it. So far so good.

[dannymarilyn]

Dear Fellow Newell Friends, For our 1991 # 277 coach, I'm finding drilling and tapping the trim screw holes for 12/24 1.5" stainless steel screws yields a firm mounting that a thread locker will secure. I found both tap and screws at Fastenal. It requires enlarging the countersink in the trim.

Happy cruising!
Danny
#277

[HoosierDaddy]

I found that the 3m trim tape was not holding well on a couple of my side trim moldings. I removed the molding, caulked the exposed rivets that are under it, and installed new 3m tape. I followed with new stainless steel screws. after filling the screw hole with caulk. I took the advice to not use silicone but I cant remember which caulk I used. Its been a couple years now since I did it. Dannys post reminded me that I hadn't followed up on this thread.