okay, after a bit of searching i think i have enough info on bogging holes and preparing the surface for paint, but still no more on the application of heat to metal threads in plastic.
has noone tried to fix these before? i imagine that most cars in that age bracket will have a load of these snapped off little buggars around the place.
i will eventually go ahead and test this for myself, i'm just hesitant that the plastic will behave in a way that will loosen the grip on the thread, and that's the last thing i want.
bloody plastic.. so fragile i'm always afraid it'll fall apart in my hands..