How to Fix Screw Holes on Chipboard

Particle board (abbreviated as PB – Particle Board), also known as Okal wood, is a popular material used in assembled furniture, countertops and even multi-compartment cabinets. Because chipboard is essentially compressed wood chips, screws tend to loosen or cause the boards to break over time. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can fix these holes to hide the damage or secure the screws more firmly. Today’s wikiHow answers the most frequently asked questions so you can get your chipboard looking like new again!

Table of Contents

How to completely hide the screw holes on the chipboard?

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Wood glue and sawdust are a great duo for simple repairs. Collect some leftover sawdust from another construction project and mix it with wood glue to make a thick paste. Pour this mixture into the screw hole and use a spatula knife to compact it. Leave overnight for the mixture to dry and harden completely. Then just use sandpaper to sand the rough edges until the surface is flat. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Try to find sawdust that is the same color as the chipboard, otherwise the spot will be easy to spot once you fix it.
Since the sawdust and glue mixture hardens, it will have a similar texture to the rest of the chipboard, so you can re-attach the screws if necessary.

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Fill holes with car body sealant to increase stiffness. Car body sealers consist of separate putty and hardener, so use a putty knife to mix the two together first. Since the color may not match the wood chips, you should mix a little more sawdust for harmony. Then, pour the body sealant into the hole and try to apply it quickly while the mixture is still flexible. Let the sealant dry and harden completely for a few hours. ^{[2] X Research Source}

You can buy body sealant from hardware or auto parts stores.
Some sealants often come with a dye so you can blend and enhance the finish of the chipboard.
If you still want to put the screw in the hole, spray lubricant on the screw and screw in the hole while the sealant is still wet. Let the sealant harden for 3-4 minutes before unscrewing the screws. This way, the sealant will be threaded and you can tighten the screws in.

How to fix wide screw holes?

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Sticking a toothpick or wooden dowel into the hole is a quick and cost-effective fix. Tighten the entire hole with a toothpick or wooden dowel to increase the grip surface for the screw. Push a toothpick or wooden dowel into the screw hole as deeply as possible. Cut or saw off any excess wood protruding from the hole. Put the screw back in the hole and use a screwdriver to slowly tighten it into the chipboard. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can put a few drops of wood glue into the hole before inserting a toothpick or wooden dowel to increase adhesion (this step is optional). If you do, let the glue dry completely before screwing it back into the hole. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
If the wooden dowel is submerged in the hole, drill a primer hole in the wooden dowel before screwing in. This will limit the chance of the wood cracking.

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Close the hatch into the hole to secure the screws and protect the wood panel. Hatches are plastic tubes that act as an intermediate material so that screws do not fall out of the wood (or other surface). Use a drill with the same diameter as the hatch to widen the screw hole. Then, close the hatch so that it is submerged in the hole, put the screw in and tighten it. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

You can buy plastic hatches from local hardware stores.
The hatch will usually still be exposed after you screw it in.

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Fill the hole with wood glue and screw in as a permanent solution. Start by lubricating the screw thread with a special wax or oil. Then, put wood glue in about half of the hole. Insert the screw as deep as possible in the hole. Let the glue dry overnight before unscrewing the screws. Use a razor blade to scrape off the glue outside the hole so that the surface of the chipboard is smooth. At this point, the glue in the hole has a screw thread shape, you can easily tighten the screw back into the hole. ^{[6] X Research Source}

This way is not as sure as the above options, but the screw hole will be more aesthetic.
If you don’t use wax or grease to lubricate the screw thread before attaching, the screw will get stuck in the glue and be difficult to unscrew.

Can I use wood putty on chipboard?

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Yes, you just need to use a putty knife to fill the hole in the chipboard with wood putty. Look for wood putty that matches the color of the chipboard, then fill the hole with the putty knife. Follow the instructions on the package for the wood putty to dry. When the wood putty is dry, you need to sand the surface to be even. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

You can paint or stain wood putty to make the surface of the chipboard more complete.
Note: choose water-based wood putty for indoor use, and solvent-based wood putty for outdoor chipboard repair.

Can I put snails in wood putty?

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No, wood putty is only suitable for cosmetic improvement. This product does not have the structural integrity properties of real chipboard, so the hardware may still come loose if you screw it in. If you need to re-capture the screws, choose a stronger option to fill the hole, such as using plastic expansion or car body putty. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

How to fix screws on chipboard?

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Switch to self-tapping screws to minimize the possibility of looseness. Since chipboard is compressed from wood chips, standard screws are easy to loosen. Self-tapping screws will cut through the wood instead of coming apart so you don’t need to drill a primer hole first. Buy self-tapping screws every time you need to attach something to the chipboard. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Look for screws designed for chipboard as these will make for a stronger connection.

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Try using a longer screw for a tighter tightening. Longer screws will go deeper into the wood and hold more firmly. With thick chipboard, it is recommended to use screws longer than 1.3 cm. Place the new screw in the hole and tighten to secure. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Warning

Chipboard will gradually wear out over time, so if you have repaired a lot, at some point, you should replace it. ^{[11] X Research Source}
Snails should not be attached to wood putty because this compound does not have the structural support of real chipboard. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Steps