Just wondering how you guys anchor your snaps on a fiberglass boat to make a boat cover. Ive always riveted my snaps in. I was told that the screw in studs would crack the fibeglass. Is this true?
We normally use screws, use the right size drill bit & slightly counter sink the hole works a treat.
Suzi
I like screw in. 1/8" bit and i bevel rhe gelcoat with my screw tip. Before screwing.
I
Just think they look better imho
Thanks fellas
I always used screw studs on coaches. I would always pre-drill the hole thought to keep from cracking the paint/fiberglass.
Chris
Mike has seen snow; so I always back his play. LOL.
QuoteI like screw in. 1/8" bit and i bevel rhe gelcoat with my screw tip. Before screwing.
I
Just think they look better imho
I find that not only do they hold and look better; it is much faster as well to use screw studs vs. riveted. I use a 7/64 th. countersink bit to pre-drill unless it's a Bayliner or other cheap boat---there I'll go up to 1/8" because they harden the gel coat so quickly ( they mix it "hot" before they spray) it is very brittle.
I hate it when you drill to small a hole then the screw stud breaks off in the hole.
Now try to get it out
Screw in - like Mike with a 1/8" drill bit then countersink through the gelcoat or you're likely to get chips. I hate riveted snap studs. There's always one or two on a boat in a spot that the stud gets damaged by hitting against a dock or on the bow where a swinging anchor crushes it. Drilling out the rivet is always a PITA. I've never had one that didn't grab the drill bit and spin in the hole. Now you have a REAL challenge. Nickel/brass rivets aren't too awful, but stainless can make you crazy.
June