Oops DH messed the mod up - fixed

[asquared]

So DH decided to mount the tv on the wall in the 5ers bedroom. He used a stud finder to help him find the backing plate. Problem is he used too long of screws and they went all the way through the trailer wall. what now? How to fix this vs just paying someone to do it for us? Our tech at the dealer recommended a mobile guy that does body work on trailers for a reasonable price. Or is this something we can get done at goshen FROG rally?


Update- fixed see post 37 for fix and pic. Thanks for the help.

[OldCoot]

Don't think that is a Goshen rally fix. Bricks & mortar body shop, but I would back the screws out, cut them off about 1/4" and press the bulge in and put some clear silicone over it and try to forget it. Very doubtful a body shop would ever match the paint.

If you don't tell anyone, I won't.

[asquared]

The screws broke through the sidewall and punctured the trailer skin.

[OldCoot]

Would still cut the screws off, plug the holes with white caulk and try to forget it. Might stick a polished buttons over the holes. Seriously, I would not attempt a body shop repair for fear of a mismatch on color which would be much more noticeable.

Lowes has wooden plugs you could paint also.

[4mula1fan]

OC's cure is the fix. No one will notice this fix, and it will be effective.

[Oakman]

Something like that would make me sick to my stomach.

I think you should go with the dealer recommended mobile repair guy and hope for the best. The last thing you want is to have a place where water can get into that wall and cause delamination. Once it is repaired I would inspect that area constantly. Not trying to insult but your husband screwed up the TV installation don't let him screw something else up. Just my opinion of course.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Oakman

Something like that would make me sick to my stomach.

I think you should go with the dealer recommended mobile repair guy and hope for the best. The last thing you want is to have a place where water can get into that wall and cause delamination. Once it is repaired I would inspect that area constantly. Not trying to insult but your husband screwed up the TV installation don't let him screw something else up. Just my opinion of course.

If the hole is caulked and a painted plug is caulked on, there will not be any water intrusion. There are holes all over a trailer that are sealed with caulk/screws. As I stated before, I wouldn't let a body shop try to match the paint and have 2 big very noticeable spots.

[Flybob]

Another option. Find a small light or other item that you can attach to the side of the trailer. Clean the area and seal behind what ever you attach. Even though the light is not connected and does not work, no one will never know.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Would still cut the screws off, plug the holes with white caulk and try to forget it. Might stick a polished buttons over the holes. Seriously, I would not attempt a body shop repair for fear of a mismatch on color which would be much more noticeable.

Lowes has wooden plugs you could paint also.

Hmm, asquared has two real choices.

1. Let the experienced mobile guy that was recommended by the dealer do the repair or;
2. Let the inexperienced husband do the work.

Sorry I still go with number one.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Another option. Find a small light or other item that you can attach to the side of the trailer. Clean the area and seal behind what ever you attach. Even of the light does not work, no one will never know.

2 holes.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Oakman

Hmm, asquared has two real choices.

1. Let the experienced mobile guy that was recommended by the dealer do the repair or;
2. Let the inexperienced husband do the work.

Sorry I still go with number one.

DH can hardly mess up filling a hole with caulk and putting a plug on it, whereas the experienced mobile guy can't paint/do fiberglas repair and would recommend a body shop.

But, bottom line, it's her choice.

[joshuajim]

I would get a proper length carriage bolt and insert it from the outside with sufficient caulk. The larger head will provide a better seal and the round head almost unnoticeable.

...and the tv will never come off the wall.

[asquared]

The mobile guy does fiberglass work. OC your idea is intriguing....maybe it's time to come visit and get some awning poles too.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by asquared

The mobile guy does fiberglass work. OC your idea is intriguing....maybe it's time to come visit and get some awning poles too.

Come visit anytime, coffee pot is always on and the door is always open(or at least unlocked), but there are no poles to be had, just mounting kits.

Will probably make some poles in Mar 2016, but none until then.

[asquared]

Ok thanks. DH and I looked at it some more. I think he Is going to try to back the screw out, replace it with a shorter screw and fill the hole with caulk. He is then thinking of putting an extra pinstripe over it. What kind of caulk is best used? Silicone?

[DaveandSue]

It also looks like it sets behind the awning. If so,it wont really be seen. Still sucks,but it is what it is.

[vinmaker]

I agree. Just back the screws out and plug with caulk. Nobody will notice.

Vin.

[Crusadernoob]

I would install the TV with the appropriate length screw, then with a couple of very short screws I would caulk the hole and run them in from the outside, make sure to use a screw with a rubber washer under the head, a little touch up paint and call it a day. Only the thousands of people that read this thread will ever know, it's not like any one will tell.

[Crusadernoob]

Just look all around your camper and look at all the screws holding the awning, ladder, grab handle, you get the point.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by asquared

Ok thanks. DH and I looked at it some more. I think he Is going to try to back the screw out, replace it with a shorter screw and fill the hole with caulk. He is then thinking of putting an extra pinstripe over it. What kind of caulk is best used? Silicone?

I would go to a camping store and ask them or me being me, would use a white bathtub caulk. As for the screws, I would just cut the ones off about 3/8" rather that use a shorter one as the shorter ones will not grip the threads in the hole as the one originally used. In other words, it will not grip or hold as well as one that is cut off and re-installed. Besides if it is cut off with side cutters, the burr that is left acts like a lock feature.