three Fox Hatch plastic panel problems

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Kearney, NE
I do not see posts on this so I will start a new one. I am on a rattle hunt, and these keep coming back.

1. The screw holes that hold the plastic panels and tins on are stripping . I want to try number 6, flat "quick nuts" glued to the back side of the sheet metal with a clear rubber gel glue like Shoe Goo or E 6000. Is this a good idea ? I am not finding the U or J shaped quick nuts this small. Got a better idea? Once the metal is pulled out, bigger screws just strip bigger holes.

2. One hatch area side panel is cracked just below the carpet, but is all there. The other has a chip out of it that is visible. What can I do to mend them????? I would like to replace both, but big titanium color panels in excellent shape might not be in so great shape when UPS bashes them up on route. The salvage yard is not so helpful here.

3. The plastic hanging from the bottom of the hatch itself sags in the middle. Is this common or am I missing a push in plug or something? Thanks in advance for the help!
 
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If I'm reading your post correctly, you install a screw (self-tapping) and when it strips, you install another to hold the various panels in place.

If so, try these:

7a7cecdb-9d47-45e3-ba22-c9744b464cb9_platenut.jpg


http://www.taiwantrade.com.tw/jkhardware/products-detail/en_US/373702/Plate_Nut/
 

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For the parts that are so bad that they're sagging, I would say that you need to find replacement panels. I don't see a way around that if you want to keep the stock appearance. The good news is that they don't have to be a specific color! :) You can buy them in any color and dye them with VHT dye. There is some prep involved as well, and if done correctly, you'll nearly strip all of the original color off. VHT does a pretty good job of matching the OEM colors. I've been gradually converting to black in mine but I've redone a few pieces in the porno red and the match is pretty good with the pieces that are not sun bleached.


For plastic repair of cracked panels (particularly larger ones) I have taken thin strips of aluminum, shaped them, and beefed them up with flat rivets. The fine cracks that remain can be filled with your choice of hardening agent. I've used two part eopxy before and sanded it smooth then applied the VHT dye over that. So far so good.