Everything You Should Know About Auto Body Fasteners

Auto body fasteners might be small, but they play a huge role in vehicle restoration, repairs, and daily operation. Whether you’re replacing a rusted-out panel or reassembling interior trim, using the right fasteners ensures everything stays secure and aligned.

At Raybuck Auto Body Parts, we provide a wide selection of high-quality automotive fasteners to help professionals and DIYers complete projects with confidence. From body bolts and U-nuts to screws, clips, and retainers, we carry the exact parts you need for a proper fit and finish — all backed by decades of experience serving the automotive restoration community.

Key Takeaways

• Auto body fasteners are essential for securing vehicle components like panels, trim, and brackets during repairs or restoration.

• Common fastener types include body bolts, U-nuts, screws, retainers, clips, and rivets — each designed for specific applications.

• Material and coating choices such as zinc-plated steel or black phosphate help prevent corrosion and improve durability.

• Proper selection and installation based on thread size, length, and material compatibility ensures a secure and lasting fit.

• Raybuck Auto Body Parts offers OEM-style fasteners, organized by vehicle and application, making it easy to find exact replacements.

Rivets are ideal for vibration-heavy areas like inner fenders and brackets. They’re not just old-school — they’re rock-solid.

What Are Auto Body Fasteners?

Auto body fasteners are hardware components used to join or secure various parts of a vehicle — from exterior sheet metal to interior panels. These parts are designed to withstand vibration, weather, and wear over time, maintaining structural integrity and appearance.

Fasteners are used in countless places: fenders, doors, quarter panels, dashboards, trim, and even the undercarriage.

Raybuck Auto Body Parts offers replacement fasteners that match OEM specs, so you can restore your vehicle without compromise. Whether you’re working on a classic car or a late-model truck, finding the correct type and size is crucial for safety and performance.

Common Types of Auto Body Fasteners

We stock a wide range of fasteners to cover almost every application. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most commonly used types:

Body Bolts & U-Nuts

These are essential for attaching fenders, inner panels, and brackets. Raybuck’s selection includes zinc-coated body bolts with built-in washers, and U-nuts designed for a tight grip on sheet metal.

Example Products:

• 5/16-18 x 1″ Body Bolt with 1-1/8″ Washer
  
• U-Nut 5/16-18

Screws

Screws are widely used across interiors and exteriors. Raybuck offers Phillips head, flat top, hex washer head, and other specialty screws for direct-fit replacement.

Example:

• Phillips Zinc Flat Top Screw #8 x 1″

Retainers & Clips

These are used to secure moldings, weatherstrip, door panels, and headliners. Raybuck provides both plastic and metal options to match factory parts.

Rivets

Rivets provide permanent fastening, often used on inner fenders or brackets where a vibration-resistant bond is needed.

Materials and Coatings

Choosing the right material ensures durability and corrosion resistance — especially in areas exposed to moisture and road salt.

At Raybuck Auto Body Parts, many of our fasteners are made from:

• Zinc-plated steel: Corrosion-resistant and widely used for body bolts and screws.
  
• Black phosphate-coated steel: Offers protection and blends with dark vehicle components.
  
• Plastic or nylon: Ideal for clips and trim retainers where flexibility and lightweight performance matter.
  

These finishes not only improve longevity but also reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion when fasteners are in contact with different metals, like aluminum panels.

Selecting the Right Fasteners

When choosing fasteners for your vehicle, it’s important to match the original part’s specifications. Factors to consider:

Key Considerations

• Thread size & pitch: Mismatched threads can damage body panels or fail under stress.
  
• Length & washer size: Ensures even pressure distribution and prevents pull-through.
  
• Material compatibility: Prevents corrosion and ensures longevity.
  
• Application location: Interior fasteners differ from underbody or exterior ones.
  

Raybuck’s fasteners are organized by category and application, making it easy to find the exact component for your project. For example, if you’re working on a 1999–2006 Chevy Silverado, we offer direct-fit body bolts and U-nuts designed to match OE dimensions.

Quick Reference Table

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Correct installation and regular inspection of fasteners help prevent panel gaps, rattles, and structural issues.

Installation Best Practices

• Use the correct torque spec to avoid stripping or overtightening.
  
• Clean the mounting surface to ensure full contact and corrosion resistance.
  
• Use anti-seize compound for steel-on-steel contact in exposed areas.

Maintenance Tips

• Inspect fasteners during any panel or trim removal.
  
• Replace any rusted or broken clips and bolts to maintain structural integrity.
  
• Use OEM-style replacements like those available at Raybuck to maintain value and appearance, especially on classic restorations.
  

We recommend buying fasteners in multi-packs or kits when working on larger sections of the vehicle, as it ensures consistency and saves time sourcing individual pieces.

Auto body fasteners – more than just nuts and bolts

Auto body fasteners are more than just nuts and bolts — they’re the foundation of any successful restoration or repair job. Using the correct hardware ensures your vehicle’s panels fit properly, look great, and stay secure for years to come.

At Raybuck Auto Body Parts, we take pride in offering high-quality, OEM-style fasteners for classic and modern vehicles alike. Whether you’re tackling a full restoration or just need a handful of clips to finish a job, you can trust Raybuck to provide the right parts, fast shipping, and expert support.

Find the exact fasteners you need for your restoration or repair project at Raybuck — trusted by automotive pros since 1985.

Further Reading

• Explaining Different Fastener Finishes and Coatings: This article provides an overview of various fastener coatings, detailing their materials, applications, and benefits in enhancing fastener performance and longevity.
• 11 Different Types of Automotive Fasteners: Understanding Their Uses: An informative piece that categorizes and explains eleven different automotive fasteners, discussing their specific applications and the materials from which they are made.
• The Wilson Auto Repair Guide to Auto Body Work: Do’s and Don’ts of Classic Car Bodywork Restoration: This guide offers valuable insights into the dos and don’ts of classic car bodywork restoration, emphasizing the significance of proper auto bodywork techniques.