Adding button heads to lower hood

[Fman]

I am going to be adding stainless button heads to the lower section of my hood (matching the hood scoop) wanted to see if anyone else has done this on a newer Mk4 hood? I found this pattern but the 2" inside mounting location puts the button heads going right into the inside rib of the hood. It looks like it would be better to do it on the flat surface of the inside of the hood approx 1" inside. There are also a variety of spacing options was hoping to see what has been done out there. My plan was to use blue low tack painters tape to create the pattern with sharpie marker along with brand new drill bits. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks :cool:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=180539&d=1677254179

[Jeff Kleiner]

Drill into the void, tap the fiberglass for 8-32 buttonheads and screw them in just slightly more than finger tight along with a SS flat washer. They’ll stay put.

Jeff

[Papa]

Since they are really only for decorative use, could you just use something that is self-tapping and go into the rib without a nut on the back? Maybe use a small dab of silicone to keep them from letting water in or from backing out?

Edit: Jeff beat me to it with a similar idea.

[JohnK]

Hey Travis. I originally wanted to do something similar, but I wanted the authentic look of rivets that are then painted over body color. Ken talked me out of that, explaining that the paint on the rivets will eventually come off and they'll look terrible. He recommended what Jeff said - just tap the fiberglass for 8-32 buttonheads but he also said that he personally wouldn't recommend it because every time you wax the car every one of those little screws will trap wax and it'll be a bear to get them all cleaned out every time you wax it. Being the lazy person that I am, I saw the wisdom of that input and passed on the whole thing. I do think it looks awesome and if I were to do it I'd do what Jeff recommends.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...because every time you wax the car every one of those little screws will trap wax and it'll be a bear to get them all cleaned out...

What is this "wax" that you speak of? My car gets Simple Green with a Scotchbrite pad.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=180541&d=1533058873

:p

Jeff

[Fman]

Since they are really only for decorative use, could you just use something that is self-tapping and go into the rib without a nut on the back? Maybe use a small dab of silicone to keep them from letting water in or from backing out?

Edit: Jeff beat me to it with a similar idea.

Jeff and Papa, great idea... that seems to be a more easier approach. My concern with using a "screw" was the possibility of chipping the paint. What are your thoughts on any paint damage with a screw? assuming a 5/32" hole for the 8-32 SS button head?


Hey Travis. I originally wanted to do something similar, but I wanted the authentic look of rivets that are then painted over body color. Ken talked me out of that, explaining that the paint on the rivets will eventually come off and they'll look terrible. He recommended what Jeff said - just tap the fiberglass for 8-32 buttonheads but he also said that he personally wouldn't recommend it because every time you wax the car every one of those little screws will trap wax and it'll be a bear to get them all cleaned out every time you wax it. Being the lazy person that I am, I saw the wisdom of that input and passed on the whole thing. I do think it looks awesome and if I were to do it I'd do what Jeff recommends.

John, good point on the wax build up. However, after almost two years now I have not even waxed my car once, just use the Chemical Guys synthetic speed detailer after each drive and it seems to be doing a good job of keeping it polished and vibrant. I don't have any wax build up around the air intake button heads either. Maybe this will eventually happen... and then again maybe I should actually consider waxing it now? ;)

[Papa]

Jeff and Papa, great idea... that seems to be a more easier approach. My concern with using a "screw" was the possibility of chipping the paint. What are your thoughts on any paint damage with a screw? assuming a 5/32" hole for the 8-32 SS button head?

I would definitely pre-drill with tape on the surface. One tip is to run the drill in reverse so the bit doesn't bite. Make the hole just big/small enough for the treads to grip. The washer will help prevent any small chip from being seen.

[JohnK]

I can't remember who (sorry) but someone in another build thread recommended these drill bits for drilling painted fiberglass and they're absolutely brilliant.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D1B3B51/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used them to drill the screw holes for the roll bar trim rings, among other things, and they drilled far more cleanly than a regular bit and with no paint chipping.

[Jim1855]

As a former owner of two cars that had rivets around the scoop and hood edge I'll comment. Looks really racer cool and adds to the original charm of the presentation.

It all ends there, then the PITA starts. You'll have to use a soft toothbrush to remove the wax as it will get under the edges and into the center hole of the rivet. Buttonheads will be the same. I don't think it's worth the effort, but I don't really like waxing either. YMMV.

I do like Kleiner's approach to paint, scotchbrite and simple green seems about perfect.

Jim

[BrewCityCobra]

I am going to be adding stainless button heads to the lower section of my hood (matching the hood scoop) wanted to see if anyone else has done this on a newer Mk4 hood? I found this pattern but the 2" inside mounting location puts the button heads going right into the inside rib of the hood. It looks like it would be better to do it on the flat surface of the inside of the hood approx 1" inside. There are also a variety of spacing options was hoping to see what has been done out there. My plan was to use blue low tack painters tape to create the pattern with sharpie marker along with brand new drill bits. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks :cool:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=180539&d=1677254179

Looking forward to some pictures when you get them installed. This is a mod (feature?) that i have been seriously considering myself. Love the look.

[R. Button]

Soon after I built my car (an early Mark I) I noticed that the front of the hood was "lifting". I installed the hood pins which helped. Seem the miles begun to create air pressure under the hood. The Mark I hoods had a large U hinge plate that the hood hinge attached to. It was laminated into the fiberglass hood.
The lamination began to separate so I did exactly what is being discussed here. I installed Buttonhead stainless steel bolts. (Note the copywritten name for the bolts I used! :D ) They have been on my car now since about 2001! The have held the hood together and I thought they kind of looked "kool".

180742

[Ted G]

Following as I plan on this too!

[JeffP]

couldn't you put rivnuts in and screw into them? could help with waxing too as you could just back the screws out wax and put them back.

[BrewCityCobra]

couldn't you put rivnuts in and screw into them? could help with waxing too as you could just back the screws out wax and put them back.

I think the problem there is you will have a lip (e.g., the heads of the bolts won't lay flat to the paint) which wouldn't look right.

[Fman]

I got some more info from Ken Pike who has done this on a few cars. He said 8-32 hex button heads 3/8" long is what he uses. Drilling a 5/32" hole will create perfect hole to just thread in the button head. He uses cobalt standard bits to drill and never has issues with paint chipping. Also mentioned to just snug bolt down or you will damage paint if it is over tightened. Low tack tape is what he uses for masking and getting all measurements. I have some button heads/drill bits on order so hopefully I will be trying this sometime in the near future.

[Ted G]

Looking forward to see what this looks like in your ride.

[Fman]

Completed, documented this in my build thread.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35778-Fmans-Dart-427-build-9818-Lower-hood-button-head-mod&p=519115&viewfull=1#post519115