How do I remove a toggle screw on wood paneling?

Question

The silver rings are left on the paneling & it looks awful!!!  Parents have moved into a Retirement Community and we need to be out of the house in 48 hours...HELP!!!

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Is this the type of anchor you are trying to hide? http://www.kinghowe.net/image/Hollow%20Wall%20Anchors/Drive%20Type%20Hollow%20Wall%20Anchors.jpg You can sometimes put in the screw and then tap the head in a bit with a hammer. This sets the ring in a bit, then you can putty the hole and color match. I do this will those in drywall but there it is easy to fill with mud. Another option is to get some artist paint brushes and just paint them to camouflage them.

Gayle Valverde · Answer

Exactly! On just drywall, it's easy...you just hammer them into the drywall & putty over. We have about 50 of them and time allowing, will try the camo-paint suggestion though! THANKS!!! Note to self---NEVER put one in paneling again...LOL I'm also going to try cutting some circles on wood grain Contact paper (if I can find it) and popping them on.. :)

KMS Woodworks · Answer

You might be able to find wood grain adhesive circles at your local hardware store or home center. https://www.google.com/search?q=wood+grain+adhesive+stickers&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=FvHOUeGmDcf6yQHm_oHICw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=461#tbm=isch&oq=stickers+for+wood++screw+holes&gs_l=img.12...3474.6988.1.8649.6.6.0.0.0.0.203.711.3j2j1.6.0...0.0.0..1c.1.17.img.LBuqtSN6_PA&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=78837a547027e9df&biw=1024&bih=461&q=stickers%20for%20wood%20screw%20holes&facrc=_&imgdii=5Y2ITtbW9jpMLM%3A%3Brd1xYrZUqInDYM%3B5Y2ITtbW9jpMLM%3A&imgrc=5Y2ITtbW9jpMLM%3A%3B_BDCMKNJNEioIM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.plastic-adhesivehooks.com%252Fphoto%252Fplastic-adhesivehooks%252Feditor%252F20120809133645_54467.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.plastic-adhesivehooks.com%252Fchina-wood_color_pvc_dia_12mm_screw_cover_caps_sticker_for_furniture-408755.html%3B800%3B649

Gayle Valverde · Answer

Thanks again for your suggestion...been there-done that & couldn't find any. That was my firstpick, but IF I ever seethem again, they are definately going in my toolbox---just in case. Wish I had your suggestion then...I could have picked up a few acrylic paints. LOL

Phil Miller · Answer

Usually paneling is easy to remove from the wall. Then one can see how the toggle screw is inserted. Remove it and use a paintable wood filler to fill the holes and repaint. Or if the toggle screw can be loosened and the screw taken all the way out, the toggle will fall to the floor inside the wall and then one can pull the insert out. Fill with wood filler and paint. But if this is a toggle that draws up when tightened then pulling the panel is the only way.

Gayle Valverde · Answer

Thanks Phil for the great tutorial. The problem is that the house was a rental & pretty sure the landlord would not appreciate us taking it down or painting it. It's hard being a parent to your parents & us kids (LOL...all seniors ourselves!) have decided to just put this in God's hands & are praying that they get their security deposit back. HE knows how hard we tried to resolve this issue, but all the suggestions were very helpful for future reference. THANKS everyone! :)

Hamtil Construction LLC · Answer

If you're trying to remove these anchors, which I have always known as 'Molly Anchors', you can actually just take a drill and use a drill bit to drill them out. Sometimes I sequentially step up the size until the small silver circle head breaks off. You can also hold the head from spinning while drilling by putting a small flat screwdriver in the little triangle notch to keep it steady.

Gayle Valverde · Answer

Yep, that's another name for them. We had already removed the screws, and where they were only attached to the drywall, we could hear the brackets fall to the bottom framing. I had researched the screw out method you spoke of, but it said use a #2 Phillips, which did nothing. Sure wish I had thought about gradually increasing the size though...DAH, huh? LOL As it turned out, on the walk out inspection this evening, the landlord didn't even mention them!!! He was so impressed by how immaculate the property was (in & out) that he said perhaps a little touch up paint & it would be ready to market again. 'What a breath of fresh air' were his exact words and my folks are getting their security deposit returned in full. They had been there 9 years...HAPPY ENDING! THANKS again to all who weighed in on our dilemma & hoping all the great suggestions will help someone on down the road. :)

How do I remove a toggle screw on wood paneling?

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How do I remove a toggle screw on wood paneling?

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