Rivets

[lewisman]

No, not the noise a frog makes!

I am about to order some rivets for my murena body panels.  Are they supposed to be steel or aluminium?

[Anders Dinsen]

Aluminium. I think. But probably not critical as long as the head is large. I bought some 16 mm rivets about a month ago, thinking YES this is just the thing, but it was'nt. The 16 mm was the length of the rivet, not the head size. But Will @ Matramagic carries the correct ones

[roy4matra]

No, not the noise a frog makes!

I am about to order some rivets for my murena body panels.  Are they supposed to be steel or aluminium?

Most rivets are aluminium but if you can get steel they will be possibly better as there is always a differential material corrosion problem with alloy rivets into a steel bracket or chassis.  However, the main requirement is you need those with the large head.  These are common in the truck and commercial body trade, but not so much with cars.  So use a commercial supplier.

Roy

[klumzer]

Could anyone tell me the exact diameter of the rivets?

I am afraid of using steel rivets. When you tighten them they need much force and can break the glass-fibre...
Has anyone tried steel rivets?

[GP]

The aluminium rivets I use come from a Commercial Lorry Motor Factors. I think they are imperial but the head Diameter is 13.77mm. Diameter of rivet shaft is 4.68mm and Length of rivet shaft is 9.2mm.

Hope this helps.

GP

[suffolkpete]

The rivets are a common commercially available item, I use these people http://www.suffolkfasteners.com/ and ask for a 14 x 5 mm large head blind rivet (14mm is the length).  They are much cheaper than Matra Magic. 

[JL]

Just to throw another idea into the pot - plastic rivets.

http://www.globalplastics.co.uk/plastic_rivets.shtml

Regards
John

[Matra_Hans]

If there is a chance that you will have to remove the panel again threaded rivets is also an option.
Use the head from the original rivets (which you have drilled out) as washers.
http://www.blindrivetsupply.com/Threaded_Inserts.html

Hans

[klumzer]

What a huge interest! 
Thank you guys! Useful advices!

[klumzer]

That is why I need new rivets. But we have a lot to do before using them...

[northmurena]

Yes, it seems that you have to spent one or two more hours work before you can use rivets. ;-) (Or maybe a little bit more ??)

And keep the tip from Hans in your mind. It makes sense to use washers on the backside of the rivets (wehreever it is possible ) to prevent breaking of the plastic.

Good luck with your project

Kai