Fixing Door Hinge Holes

[Doug2000]

Any suggestions on how to repair my hinge screw holes. What's common practice. My trailer has multiple hole because the door was moved because of misalignment.

I was planning on drilling the holes out and fibreglasssing in 1/2" dowels.

[Roy in TO]

This is one brand of many:
Home Hardware - 57g Tech Steel Epoxy Putty

Dig out the loose wood and fill. Drill a pilot hole and your are all set to go. If the holes go all the way through to the inner fiberglass, you can form a rear wall by placing the putty in layers using a chopstick. The rear wall only has to be longer than the screws you are using. A rear wall on the hole really lets you pack the putty in.

[David Tilston]

I cleaned out the holes as much as possible. Then I filled them with fibreglass and resin. I pushed in as much as possible, then after the resin started to gel, I cut the fibers that were sticking out off with a razor blade. Then I taped the door back on with the hinges still installed on the door. It took me three tries till it looked right. I used the holes on the hinges to drill new holes in the fibreglass that matched the stainless steel screws that I purchased for the job. Then I filled the holes with fibreglass and resin again, but this time I screwed the screws in. Giving them a good tighten, then loosening them off again cut the fibreglass strands that were hanging out. A final tighten and that side of the hinges was finished.

On the door side, I took out the screws one at a time, then filled the holes with fibreglass and resin. Then I put in new stainless steel screws. The same tighten and loosen technique to trim off the excess fibers. Probably could be done better, but it works.

[WildBirder]

I used a similar product that Roy suggested but Lepage brand. It was fast setting and could be sanded once set. Not easily but that's a testament to it's strength. I used it to seal up multiple holes were the door handle had been replaced poorly. Leaving the original handle holes and new ones wearing around the fiberglass. Drilled a pilot hole and installed. I'm impressed with the sturdiness.