19 replies to this topic

[Laurie]

I get to finally put the brightwork on my bonnet tomorrow and at the time had trouble locating the screws for the chrome bonnet trim (Minispares sell them, I know now!).

So select these and wait for postage, or rivet it on?

Im a fan of rivets as they dont tend to loosen themselves over time and theyre not easy to remove without the aid of a drill.

[cal844]

Personally I'd screw them on, 4 3mm holes are all you need

[pete l]

But screws rip off the paint and then rust starts, rivets don't do as much damage

[cal844]

But screws rip off the paint and then rust starts, rivets don't do as much damage

Weird one that! On all my minis the screws are greased when we screw the arches on, haven't had an issue in 6 years 😃

[nicklouse]

pops.

[sonikk4]

Rivets will cause damage through dissimilar corrosion IF you don't paint the hole you have drilled first and then when you fit the rivet whether its a Tucker Pop etc a smear of sealant will give another layer of protection.

[MacGyver]

Steel Rivnuts(stainless) or welding small nuts in place...

[MrBounce]

Steel Rivnuts(stainless) or welding small nuts in place...

What he said. Rivnuts rock!

[Laurie]

What are rivnuts?
And do I have to squash them like rivets?

Edited by Laurie, 22 September 2017 - 10:59 AM.

[nicklouse]

I would not use them in this instance.

 

But they are like pop rivets but are internally threaded. on a Mini they can be found holding the side mirrors on the door. (threaded inserts).

[Laurie]

I would not use them in this instance.
 
But they are like pop rivets but are internally threaded. on a Mini they can be found holding the side mirrors on the door. (threaded inserts).

Ahh I see

You got in there just as I edited x

[MacGyver]

There might not be the space for them... 😑

[tiger99]

But best to use them everywhere that there is space. Rivnuts are much better than putting self tappers direct into metal, or using Spire clips. Strictly NOT for structural applications of course, only trim, fittings and sundries. Prime, seal seal and paint to prevent rusting of the metal, and if in doubt, put a greased screw into the Rivnut to keep paint out. They achieve a high-quality, professional standard of job.

 

There are structural Rinvut-like devices available with stated load capability, but they and their installations are rather specialised.

[Alice Dooper]

Not a big fan of self tappers, even stainless steel ones, so easy to overtighten and encourage rust. Rivnuts are great but if you haven’t got a setting tool and it’s just light parts, could I suggest plastic captive nuts then a stainless self tapper. I used them on my grill and they work great, even have about a 1mm face that sits proud and is helping hold the grill just enough off the front panel to reduce rubbing on the nice fresh paint.

Though as many have already said, whatever fitting you use, you really need to properly protect the exposed metal after drilling holes with some paint and primer. Pain in the hole slowing a job down, but has to be done.

[Mat]

Rivnuts are great. And a decent tool isn't expensive either- I'd like to replace every self-tapper with rivnuts if I could.