snap on cover replacement snaps

[MBAKER]

I have some loose and some missing snaps for the cover and don't know where to look to find new ones. These are screwed on but the problem is many of the screws will not hold. What is the best solution? Cant go bigger with screw because it wont fit through the center of the button. Should I try to get to the backside with a lock nut on a small machine bolt?

 

[oldjeep]

Epoxy hole shut, if you can get epoxy on the backside even better. Then drill small hole and reinstall screw.

 

[Scott Danforth]

initially you can also get snaps with #10 screws if your current snaps have #8's. If not, follow the advise of oldjeep

 

[bruceb58]

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Fasteners/Screw_Studs/Screw_Stud_Stainless_Steel/index.html

 

[Thalasso]

Fill the holes with Marine-tex epoxy and re drill.

Marine-tex Epoxy and redrill [h=3]Marine Tex, epoxy resin, adhesives, silicone grease, engine ...[/h] www.[B]marinetex[/B].com

 

[JimS123]

All the snaps on my boat are plain (no screw) male ends attached with SS pop rivets. If your holes are not too big, that's the simpliest solution.

 

[bruceb58]

Unless you can get to the backside with a washer, the pop rivets will be loose.

 

[64osby]

Fiberglass or tin hull?

 

[MBAKER]

Its fiberglass.

I hadn't thought about epoxying the holes that might be the quickest since I only have a few on each side that are loose. I did think about trying some of the small plastic expanding anchor sleeves to see if they would hold. I was afraid they wouldn't allow the button to pull down tight though.

I haven't seen the rivet type.

 

[bruceb58]

In order to put one on with a rivet, you have to get a regular male snap that normally has a backing piece. If you already have a hole that is too big for a screw, the rivet won't work since the rivet you have to use is small. Only way would be to use a washer on the backside that the rivet would go through.

 

[MBAKER]

That's what I have now, plain buttons but with a loose screw in the middle. Maybe I will try a slightly larger screw with the head ground down so it will fit in the button if I can, otherwise go the epoxy route.

I agree with what you are saying, without a washer on the back side the rivet wont stay in place very long.

 

[JimS123]

I'm all cornfused here. I've only personally installed rivets once - that was when I custom made a cover for my tinny. Most of the locations for the snaps were backed by seats filled with foam, so I had no access from behind. I always assumed that the only reason you would use an unsightly rivet was because it was a blind application. The rivet itself formed the washed as it was applied. But what do i know....LOL.

Anyway, the cover snaps on my fiberglass runabout have all been on tight for 31 years now, and none of them have access from behind.