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How To Choose the Right Automotive Upholstery Fasteners
When you consider how a car is held together, it's easy to think about the bolts and screws that hold the frame together or keep the wheels attached to the axles. All of these components have to be properly secured so the car can operate properly. The interior of the car is just as important and requires the right tools to make sure everything is in place. That means using the right automotive upholstery fasteners and the right techniques for a beautiful finish.
Types of Automotive Upholstery Fasteners
Making sure a car's upholstery and interior finishes look good and don't become loose starts with understanding each type of fastener. Each kind of fastener has a different purpose:
- Screws: Good for areas that need strong and secure fastening.
- Rivets: Useful for permanent installations where you won't need to remove the fastener.
- Clips: Ideal for parts that will need to be removed or adjusted at a later time.
- Adhesives: Best for tight areas where you cannot use a mechanical fastener.
When installing all of the upholstery in a car, you will likely need all of these options. The key is to use the right fastener in the right application.
Choosing Automotive Upholstery Fasteners
To decide which fastener to use, there are several factors you should take into account. By considering all elements of the project, you can ensure the job is done well.
Consider Material Compatibility
Start with deciding what material your fastener needs to be. Often, upholstery fasteners automotive experts use are made from either plastic or metal. Plastic fasteners may be better with lightweight fabrics while metal is better for heavier materials or panels.
Assess the Application Area
Evaluate the area you are working on to see what type of fastener you need. In areas that are subject to a lot of movement such as doors, it's better to use stronger options including screws or bolts. Other spots such as the cabin seats are high-traffic areas, so it may be worth using multiple fastening products, such as both adhesive and rivets to hold the fabric in place.
Plan for Removals (If Needed)
It's normal that some parts of a car's interior will need to be replaced in the future. To make this easier, make sure to use automotive upholstery fasteners that can be removed without too much effort. For example, use screws on an upholstery panel instead of rivets so you can remove or replace the panel later.
Going through this list will help you narrow down which parts you need for your upholstery installation or repair. Planning out a list of the fasteners you need will also help your job run more efficiently since you'll have what you need on hand.
Get Your Automotive Upholstery Fasteners
The right tools are critical for a quality job, and that includes fasteners. In a car's interior, there are lots of pieces of upholstery and trim that need to be secured, so invest in the right variety of automotive upholstery fasteners for your needs. Shop our selection at ROGO Fasteners.
Sources:
- https://autoprotoway.com/types-of-automotive-fasteners/
- https://www.upholsterysupplyusa.com/resources/common-automotive-upholstery-materials
- https://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/body/car-interior-get-noisier.htm
- https://www.aerospace-aviation360.com/blog/screws-vs-rivets/