There have been some improvements in the designs of the expanding shank plastic rivets  used on automobiles, so I looked on eBoo to see if there was something that was nicer than the rivets that were stock on the Datsun.  I searched eBum for push rivet 5mm car, and there were indeed some rivets with an oversized head that didn't have the unsightly dot in the middle (judges have suggested I replace the stock rivets with some that had a smooth head.) I agree with them only  because the modern push-rivets have a pin with a large head you can pull out to remove the rivet body (and not have to make new pins!)

 

The vendors I bought rivets from were all Asian vendors.  The problem with these people is that they have NO idea how to  measure rivet body diameter!  I bought 5mm "diameter" rivets from two vendors and neither was correct!  In both orders I received rivets that would only fit an 8mm hole- which you won't find anywhere on the S30 except on the engine.

 

So my question would be:  Does anyone have  a source for 5mm expanding shank rivet with a large head that actually fits the 5mm hole?

Clips and Fasteners has quite a good selection of re-useable push type retainers for many hole sizes including 1/4" with various head sizes. Maybe one might work.

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Push_Type_Retainers_At_Clipsandfasteners_com_s/154.htm

HTH

Mike

Looking more closely the 1/4" hole size retainers likely won't work, My thinking was that the two prong retainers might go into a 5mm hole.

After another search I did find these:

http://www.lawsonproducts.ca/Nissan/Body-Hardware/Automotive/AT100100.lpc

Set search parameter to 5mm hole size.

Edited August 24, 20159 yr by CanTechZ

These might be an option. Fits a 6 mm hole and appears very easily removed and re-usable, 5mm holes can be made into 6mm holes pretty easily.

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Push_Type_Retainer_Honda_Isuzu_Nissan_p/pas1597-25.htm

I've gone to the trouble of replacing all my interior plastic rivets with 10-24 insert nuts and matching wide head black machine screws. Tight, squeak free, and totally removable.

Edited August 24, 20159 yr by zKars

I like the smooth look of the rivets, just without the pin.  The rivets with the screw-in pins just look too cheap for a GT car, and should only be used in places where the part will be attached or removed relatively often- not what you do with the rear headlIner cover or1/4 window frames.

 

The problem we have is that the hole is 5mm which is between 3/16 ad 1/4 inches, so you have to look around a lot for rivets, and I prefer to not drill out the holes- that invites rust.

Edited August 25, 20159 yr by TomoHawk

What we really need is a 5.2mm or 13/64 inch rivet. "Compatible" rivets just won't work, and "fuzzy" rivets are too sloppy and won't hold the panel right.

 

This was the last attempt to get 5mm rivets from an asian vendor:

 

 

If the rivet body would fit the 5mm hole, these would  be perfect.

 

This is the look I want to achieve for the rivet head:

 

 

 

but with the usual long split bottom.

 

Edited August 24, 20159 yr by TomoHawk

The original rivets from Nissan are causing you to lose points at shows?

more or less... 

 

The original rivets have good strength and a correct design to hold the panels in place, but the home-made pins stick out and are unsightly.  You also have to hand-paint the heads after you insert them, and it never matches the finish of the panel. 

 

Modern rivets are designed to be more attractive and are reusable.  You can pre-paint them to match the panel without the paint coming off as you press the head in.

Edited August 24, 20159 yr by TomoHawk

Sub'd for a solution.... I will need these eventually too!

Are you removing the panels that often? My local Nissan dealership gets me packs of ten for a little more than a dollar each. I've got the p/n if you want it.

Steve J found some on ebuy that work pretty good, they're a little tight fitting but they work and fifty cost what Nissan chargers for ten.

The one Zcars posted are used all over BMW cars. I can't image a more performance oriented car company that mass produces cars...

If you don't break off the legs, then the stock rivets are very re-usable.  You only need to get lots of the plastic pins because it's not possible to replicate them by hand.  That leaves you with a rivet that has a little ugly pin sticking up or showing its ugly little head.  Rivets with a large head that cover the entire rivet body makes it look much nicer, as long as you paint it properly or get an exact match between the color and the panel.