Canvas snap "anchors"

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Carvervirgin

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I recently removed some canvas snaps off the aluminum hard top support to perform some painting. The snaps screwed in a plastic plug that fit the hole in the arch. It sort of acts like a dry wall hanger that you punch into the wall and then screw into. Here is the question...what are these parts called and how do I find some? The ones I removed were brittle and broke and I need to replace them. Thanks
 
John - sounds like someone had loose snaps, and used an expandable mount (molly) to make the snap tight. My experience is that snaps mounted to thin material (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel), are mounted with pop rivets (aluminum or stainless, as required)-- this sounds like a repair for loose/corroded rivets.

$0.02.
 
I don't see anything wrong with using plastic screw anchors. This is after all not a structural thing. They do offer some insulation to stop corrosion as well. Seems like it worked before.
 
Unfortunately I believe the nice (stronger?)expanding-mushroom type like Togglers plastic screw anchors are designed to be installed in thicker material like drywall . Any basic straight( slightly conical) plastic screw anchor may work if you can find ones the size of the hole and force on the snap fastener remains pretty sideways/shear. I'd be a little concerned the "working" of the canvas might cause the aluminum tube support and fastener threads to cut the plastic though, to possibly prevent good holding. I like Bruce's mention of corrosion insulation.
But as Gene suggests, snap fasteners with thru-hole used in conjunction with alu pop-rivets are fairly commonly installed in alu tubing. However, I wonder if the holes you are dealing with may already be a little big for fastener-compatible rivets.
 
Thanks for the thoughts guys. I did use the punch through drywall hangers for now but i hate altering things if I can get the original parts. Sorry I don't have a picture. They are not structural and the holes defineately need something to fill the space b/c the screw posts are too small. Seems like something I should be able to find. I'll keep trying...
 
Go to an auto parts supply store; you'll find the kind of plastic inserts you're looking for. They're often used to attach trim pieces in various locations on cars. See if you can remove one of the old ones in one piece so it's easier to match the correct size. Hy
 
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