Screwing into the hardtop?

[88K5Jimmy]

So I am in the final phases of my halfcab conversion and was wanting to know if any of you guys have screwed screws into the hardtop? I will primarily be screwing a shetmetal screw w/snap attached into the composite/fiberglass hardtop. It measures to be a #8 sheetmetal screw, so what type of bit would be good to use? Also, what kind of glue or adhesive do you guys recommend in conjunction with just screwing it in?

Thanks

 

[Skigirl]

Well nuts hold pretty good. That's what ConFerr includes in their rack hardware kit.

 

[bigcountryk5]

i'd say use a nut/bolt setup too with some locktight ans plenty of silicone to help seal up the hole.

 

[88K5Jimmy]

I guess I should have said that I won't be able to put a nut on the backside since it is a sheetmetal screw

 

[dyeager535]

Can't you use a well nut as suggested, and go with a regular bolt like they use?

I know there are a bunch of different size well nuts, and they will hold in the thing fiberglass infinitely better than a sheet metal screw.

It will probably protrude a bit, but a snap isn't going to be a tight fit against the body anyway. Nothing worse than screws that loosen up all the time.

 

[88K5Jimmy]

Is a well nut the ones that don't have threads, they are just a hole with the metal for the hole twisted, i guess you could say. I nut for a screw. I've never actually know them to have a name. If that's the case and the screws protrude, then yes I could use a well nut. I'm wondering what other precautions to take if the screw doesn't protrude.

 

[juanblzer]

I thought you meant screwing under the hardtop
Many many laid

 

[3 on the tree]

If I was going to screw to fiberglass, this is what I would do. Pre-drill all the holes. Before inserting the screw with snap, place a dime size drop of fiberglas resin over the hole, then screw er in. Oh, yeah, scuff up the surface of the fiberglass with some 150 sandpaper, so the rresin will bond better .

 

[dyeager535]

Well nuts are basically a square shouldered (think thats a good description) rubber grommet, that has threads in it. As you tighten up the threads it swells the rubber preventing it from pulling through.

 

[Skigirl]

http://www.emhart.com/products/pop/wellnut.htm

 

[88K5Jimmy]

Ohh I had no idea what they were but now I do.

Thanks