How to Install Molly Bolts in Plaster Walls

Remove any objects or furniture around the plaster wall where you wish to install the Molly bolt.

Use a pencil to mark the spot on the wall where you wish to mount the bolt.

Hold a nail over the center of the pencil mark and gently tap it into the plaster wall. This will help you determine what material may be behind the wall if you don't know. If the nail penetrates easily, the plaster is probably on top of drywall, if the nail meets some resistance, the material is probably wood, and if the nail meets stiff resistance, the backing material behind the plaster is probably brick.

Place the pointed end of the Molly bolt over the pencil mark. For a drywall-backed plaster wall and a pointed Molly bolt, gently tap the head of the bolt with a hammer to drive it into the plaster until the bolt flange is even with the surface of the wall.

If the Molly bolt that you're using isn't pointed, or the material behind the plaster is wood or brick, use a power drill to make a hole the size of the bolt body over the pencil mark. Insert the Molly bolt into the opening in the plaster until the flange is even with the wall.

Wrench or use a hex head screwdriver to tighten the bolt clockwise. This expands the claws on the end of the bolt, driving them into the plaster and anchoring it securely.

Turn the bolt counterclockwise until it backs out of the anchor.