Plastic Screw Covers on new French Doors
#1
10-19-10, 08:50 AM
Plastic Screw Covers on new French Doors
Just had a new french door installed. Now I need to push in those tiny screw covers. Is there a trick to getting these things in? I have broken two fingernails so far (and I'm usually pretty handy with small jobs!), and I can't seem to get them flush. Each one is either a little too inset or even worse stuck too far out.
Any ideas on how to get them flush?
Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.
Any ideas on how to get them flush?
Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.
#2
10-19-10, 08:57 AM
Super Moderator
They are a royal pain sometimes..they have to be perfectly aligned and the screws for the glass have to be tight. If the screws aren't all the way down they can prevent the cover from going flush.
I normally would bet them started..then tap them into place using a small block of wood or dowel. Using your thumb or regular hammer will often over sink them.
I normally would bet them started..then tap them into place using a small block of wood or dowel. Using your thumb or regular hammer will often over sink them.
#3
10-19-10, 09:09 AM
Hey, thanks for such a quick reply, and yes they certainly are being a pain in the hindquarters for sure.
I'll try your suggestion. I've oversunk several of them. Do you know of a way to get them out so I can start over
.
I'll try your suggestion. I've oversunk several of them. Do you know of a way to get them out so I can start over
.
#4
10-19-10, 10:09 AM
Group Moderator
The ones that are oversunk can be extracted by driving a screw into them with a cordless drill. I usually tap the head of a nail set (turned around backwards) lightly with a hammer to set the plugs to the right depth.
Actually, most of the time I throw the plugs away. They aren't the right color anyway if the door is already painted.
Actually, most of the time I throw the plugs away. They aren't the right color anyway if the door is already painted.
#5
10-19-10, 10:15 AM
Super Moderator
Shoot..got distracted and lost my reply...
I've used dental pics and such to remove them but even that leaves them a little buggered up. If you are painting the gouges can be smoothed off and filled with caulk or putty.
The depressed covers could just be filled with a dab of putty, but if the frame has a woodgrain, the smooth putty might be noticable unless you put a few lines in with a toothpic or similar.
Sometimes when removing..and I didn't need to keep them, I'd just drill a small hole and use a screw and pliers to remove them.
I've used dental pics and such to remove them but even that leaves them a little buggered up. If you are painting the gouges can be smoothed off and filled with caulk or putty.
The depressed covers could just be filled with a dab of putty, but if the frame has a woodgrain, the smooth putty might be noticable unless you put a few lines in with a toothpic or similar.
Sometimes when removing..and I didn't need to keep them, I'd just drill a small hole and use a screw and pliers to remove them.
#6
10-19-10, 12:04 PM
Thanks for the help! I have plenty of the little covers, so I can afford t just throw the old ones out and start over if I have to. I'll try the putty thing first and see how it looks.
Just found this site today. Love it.
Just found this site today. Love it.
#7
10-19-10, 12:13 PM
Super Moderator
I missed that you were a new Member...Welcome! Lots of good info about almost anything here.
Have the trees changed back in VA yet? Kinda miss that....that and seafood and BBQ!
Have the trees changed back in VA yet? Kinda miss that....that and seafood and BBQ!
#8
10-19-10, 02:53 PM
Thanks for the welcome. And, yup, the trees on the mountaintops here are in their glory right now. Just beautiful. Sounds like you're originally from the east.
On the other hand, we get very jealous of people in your area long about January and February. Then again, I suppose northern Arizona isn't as warm as the Phoenix area, but an hour or so drive to "shirt sleeve" weather sounds like heaven when you've had snow on the ground for weeks.
On the other hand, we get very jealous of people in your area long about January and February. Then again, I suppose northern Arizona isn't as warm as the Phoenix area, but an hour or so drive to "shirt sleeve" weather sounds like heaven when you've had snow on the ground for weeks.
