Screws come loose? Safe to putty?

[Bfam4t6]

So being new to part works and large scale kits containing a lot of metal pieces and screws, I am wondering if it is safe to putty over the screws heads to hide them?

In your experience, do the more stressed components like like suspension parts ever come loose and require some tightening? Should I be using glue as well as the screws?

I've puttied over a few so far, and really prefer that to the exposed screw head look, even if the screw head is painted.

[Mark]

Hiding the screw heads is always a good idea.

It’s a good idea to test fit things before filling the screw heads. Particularly body panels which may need removing to get other panels to fit. Other than that, I’ve never had a screw come loose on a finished model.

[Bfam4t6]

Thanks Mark. I guess I'll keep going with the putty.

[royjess]

If you are screwing metal screws into plastic, make sure that the super blue is plastic safe.

If you are screwing metal screws into metal, then you could use a drop of thread lock. You can get PERMANENT thread lock (usually red) and you will never be able to remove the screw ever, so make sure that you never want to unscrew the part again. You can also get REMOVABLE thread lock (usually blue) which will allow you to remove the screw if need be at a later date. A drop of super glue to the screw will also do a similar thing.

There is no reason why you can't use filler/putty over the screw heads, but again my be a problem if you ever need to remove or tighten up the screws at a later date.

[casper]

I used a little bit of thread lock on my DB5 but only on a couple of screws that were loose. A tiny bit of washing up liquid helps to cut a tight thread if you don't have any cutting fluid, treat the screw as a thread tap and gently go in and out before you drive them home and it can stop the screw head snapping of mid thread.
casp

[Bfam4t6]

Thanks for all the input guys!

I hadn't considered super glue melting some plastics, so I appreciate that heads up. I will be sure to test everything now before applying.

I think I'm going to try some locktite on some of the load bearing suspension screws. Last thing I want is a screw from month 1 rattling after I cover it up later. And washing liquid is a good idea I'd never thought of too. I've been lucky so far and snapped off no screw heads, although a few did become quite tight rather quickly. On the flip side, just last night I encountered my first screw that did not want to stay tight (original hole was too large), and I gave it a small dab of super glue. Luckily it was in a location where the bond shouldn't be too stressed, but I hope it's not a recurring issue.

[Mark]

Washing up liquid, soap, Vaseline, candle wax, they all work. You only need a tiny smear.

[royjess]

I hadn't considered super glue melting some plastics,

Super glue don't melt plastic, but it can lowly eat away some plastics especially acrylic over time making it brittle. I learn't the hard way using super glue on my fibre optics on my Black Pearl build.

You can get plastic safe superglue. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Loctite-All-Pl ... 2623&psc=1

Standard super glue is usually safe to use on PVC and Styrene

[Bfam4t6]

Washing up liquid, soap, Vaseline, candle wax, they all work. You only need a tiny smear.

That's a great tip Mark. I will definitely start using it.

I hadn't considered super glue melting some plastics,

Super glue don't melt plastic, but it can lowly eat away some plastics especially acrylic over time making it brittle. I learn't the hard way using super glue on my fibre optics on my Black Pearl build.

You can get plastic safe superglue. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Loctite-All-Pl ... 2623&psc=1

Standard super glue is usually safe to use on PVC and Styrene

And Royjess, thanks for the link! I will be buying some later tonight.

[royjess]

Washing up liquid, soap, Vaseline, candle wax, they all work. You only need a tiny smear.

That's a great tip Mark. I will definitely start using it.

I hadn't considered super glue melting some plastics,

Super glue don't melt plastic, but it can lowly eat away some plastics especially acrylic over time making it brittle. I learn't the hard way using super glue on my fibre optics on my Black Pearl build.

You can get plastic safe superglue. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Loctite-All-Pl ... 2623&psc=1

Standard super glue is usually safe to use on PVC and Styrene

And Royjess, thanks for the link! I will be buying some later tonight.

Your most welcome, that link was a quick google, but I'm sure that if you shop around, you'll find some cheaper