Garage Door Hinge holes = stripped MDF

[Snap Marc]

Sort of a general question. My garage door, a double size door, has three hinges that have pulled out due to the bolt threads stripping the MDF. I have three new hinge/rollers that I want to install, but wonder what the best method would be.

One option is to simply use larger diameter bolts.

Other option is to fill holes with putty or wood plug, or some sort of epoxy filler and then using the existing bolts.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to best attach these garage door hinges to a MDF garage door?

[softop41]

Snap Marc,
I tried most of what you thought of and none of it was very satisfactory. I neded up drilling all the way through and putting in 1/4" carriage bolts and painting them. Yes, they could be seen but I never had any more trouble in the next 15 years that I lived in that house.
Jerry

[Snap Marc]

I wish I could use lags bolts, but I can't have them visible on the outside. Consensus says to drill 1" deep with forstner bit, plug and glue with hardwood dowel and then screw into dowel.

toughts?

[dbhost]

Are you serious? MDF garage doors?

Uh...

Trying to patch MDF would be like (doing #1) into the wind...

Drill and through bolt, or replace.

[Snap Marc]

It ends up the outer skin is some sort of MDF or press board. The inner core is cheap wood, so this patch worked well. Wood to wood glue adhesion.

[dbhost]

Real curious to see how well that holds up in the long run...

[Snap Marc]

I'll send you weekly updates.

[sparkeyjames]

I wish I could use lags bolts, but I can't have them visible on the outside. Consensus says to drill 1" deep with forstner bit, plug and glue with hardwood dowel and then screw into dowel.

toughts?

Wow aren't HOA's wonderful. Put the bolts in and paint the door with silver polka dots. Wala bolt heads no longer visible. It'll
P.O. the HOA and you will be the hero of the neighborhood. Failing that there is always the Red Green solution. Cloths hanger and some duct tape and your in business.

Seriously though I'm with the drill it out real big then plug it with a good hardwood plug.

[Snap Marc]

Real curious to see how well that holds up in the long run...

The garage door is holding strong. This fix worked perfectly. The hinges are rock solid now without any signs of failing. I know you were concerned, so I wanted you ease your anxiety. I'm sure you've been losing sleep wondering if my garage door is functioning properly.

I'll check back in later in the year.