Getting ready to install ABS interior panels in my 48 and have decided to use the plastic push pins from Fastenal. I was planing on using the 1/4 stem dia. X 3/4 long pin and wanted to know if that's a good size or is there a better size ?

Thanks Bob

 

are you talking about the "xmas tree" pins with fins up the shank? as long as they are long enough to protrude ~ 3/8" into the metal they will work. Your local Home Depot, Lowes or ace hardware as well as many auto parts store stock them in various sizes, so you can buy exactly what you need there. There are also ones with a push in center pin that locks or unlocks the plastic rivet if you plan to need to remove the panels a few times, but they are more sensitive on length. You can also get them at any car dealership parts dept that are molded in colors to match their interior colors if that matters to you.

 

Thanks for the reply and info and yes I am talking about the xmas tree pins which I have ordered from Fastenal but my biggest concern was the dia. Several weeks ago some one said they used that type and size & was happy with them but I'm just trying to get more views.
Thanks Again Bob

 

Here's a little hint: If you need to remove them, a standard carpenter's claw hammer is the best tool to use. Use it like the fastener is a nail you are pulling. Takes them out without damaging the upholstery.

 

Several vendors sell the stock steel wire clips used throughout the interior. If you ever have to remove them, you'd wish you used them instead of those damn xmas trees! And they are permanent. Don't know how thick your ABS is.

AX, I was advised to just snip the heads off them and push them thru, half the time the head breaks off anyway. It has certainly worked well for me.

 

My panels are from Rod Doors and there 1/8 thick. This is my first project vehicle so this is all new to me and my plan was to put the push pins in the panels with ABS cement, sand fairly close to panel
so when covered with fabric you wouldn't see any bulges or fasteners. I was going to use this method on the headliner & rear cab cover.Does this sound OK ?

Thanks Bob

 

I'd use a thin stiff foam (sometimes called sculpturing foam) under the fabric and not mess with the rivet heads. The foam will cover the heads and give you a much richer looking upholstery job. If you don't want to use foam, you could use fiberfill quilt stuffing, it comes in a sheet like a soft blanket. Make sure it's for quilts NOT loose pillow stuffing! It can be found at almost any fabric store or even Walmart in the sewing dept. It's inexpensive and easy to work with. Cut an oversized piece with sharp scissors, dust the panel with a light coat of 3M spray uphostery adhesive and lay the fiberfill over the panel, smoothing as you go (be careful to keep the glue off your fingers, it's stickier than fly paper!). Trim it to size after the glue sets with the scissors. Use the same glue to adhere the upholstery material to the back side of the panel. In that case give the fabric back and the panel back a light coat and allow to set for a few minutes. When you bring the material around and touch the two glued surfaces together they will stick instantly and permanently. The xmas tree pins are a bear to get back out as has been stated, so you will need to destroy the panel if you need to take it off, especially if you've sanded the heads down and pull them thru the panel when you attempt to take them out. IMHO there are a number of better options for attaching the panels than the xmas trees. If you must use the xmas trees, drill the holes in the body somewhat oversized. Test with pieces of scrap panel and metal to find the drill size that holds yet still allows dissassembly (depends somewhat on the diameter of the fins). Sooner or later you're going to need to get behind those panels, so it's better to prepare for it.

 

As stated previously, I disagree with the reputation the plastic push in fasteners have gotten on here. I've used both the plastic and the metal style fasteners and I think the plastic are much better. I have no problem pulling the panel off with my hands once i get behind an edge, and I have only destroyed approx 2 fasteners in the process. This is much better than my experience with the metal, where the fasteners would rip through the holes in the panel, ruining the upholstered panels. I would much prefer a sacrificial fastener.

If your panel is upholstered like AX has described above (where you are not gluing the fasteners on the panel) and a fastener gets messed up during removal/installation, it takes no time at all to replace it easily.

 

Ok guys here's a update. Picked up the push in pins today and played around with them this afternoon. Drilled a 1/4" hole in both pieces and put them together and took them apart at least 20 times with out any problems. The fins get distorted alittle but still seem to hold alright. I also tried a 15/64 hole and still came apart alright. I sanded the head down to 1/32 and put it in & out a bunch of times with no problems. I realize more pins in the panel like 6" apart will make it more difficult to take apart but I think with the right hole size it will work. As I mentioned before I'm going to use these just on the headliner & rear cover so I think the only reason for removing them would be to recover them. Still want to play around with them some more and THANKS for all the feed back, really appreciated.

Thanks Bob