Side Panel Screws Stripped from Overuse – Any Fixes That Actually Work?

Has anyone dealt with the problem where the side panel screws on a PC case are completely stripped from opening and closing it too often? The thumbscrews on this case used to come off with zero effort, but after years of swapping parts and cleaning dust, they’re basically smooth now and impossible to grip.

Right now, removing the panel requires pliers every time, and I’m worried I’ll eventually damage the panel or the threads. Has anyone tried replacing the screws entirely, or is there a trick for rethreading or restoring them without damaging the case? Would thread inserts or something similar even work on thin sheet metal?

Any suggestions for permanent solutions would be appreciated — this case still has plenty of life left, and replacing it just for this problem feels wasteful.