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Purchased RPI Stage 2 Side Skirts from a forum member. Its used so no hardware. Anybody know maybe what size and what kind of screws are used, their length or what kind of head. Are they self tapping? Any info will be appreciated.
Drilled holes with pop rivets is what they come with I believe. At least that's what most other brand side skirts come with. Some people who don't like the idea of drilling holes (mainly because one or two holes actually have to be drilled into the rocker where it actually starts to turn up and if taken back off, you could be able to see the holes from a distance) are actually using double sided tape in lieu of some of the holes. You could probably also use screws but I believe you will have some trouble because they would have to tap into part of the frame and getting them to do so would be difficult. There's not much room between the rocker body panel and the frame of the car which is why most skirt manufacturers recommend the pop rivets.
Here is a video of a set of ACS Rocker Skirts being installed. Pretty much the same for all styles.
I installed ACS on mine and RPI on my brother's. The ACS used pop rivets and the RPI screws. After a year of having them on the screws don't appear to be holding up as well as the rivets as I've had to fix loose parts several times. I'll try to look and see where I purchase extra rivets. The ones with the large heads are harder to locate.
I got a scrape on one of the sides and had to drill them out, get the side repainted and then re-install. It was a pain in the butt, but it's secure.
Thanks guys for the info. After posting last night I thought about rivets instead of screws. Looking at the skirts there sure are a lot of predrilled holes. Have everyone used all the holes to secure the skirts. I guess this really seems like a dumb question, if your going to drill 6 holes into your car what is another 6 going to hurt.
I used pretty much all of the holes...and I used pop rivets...yes they can be a pain to get off, but I have over 7,000 miles with mine on and have had no problems with them. They're tight, and stay in place (even had a friend's lil boy stand on one once for a second, to my surprise it did no damage...even though I about damaged the kid! (jk)). I personally don't see how screws would hold up that well, plus there isn't enough room on the other side of the rocker panel for a screw to go through that far before hitting the frame. I guess you could skip these holes. But for me, I don't like doing things the "easy" way just because its easier and may hold for a bit. I don't mind a little extra work to have something that holds properly and is stronger, and if needs fixing or replacing may be a little harder. But it's a nice car...not a leggo set so what's a little extra work for something done right?!
Last edited by StingerBG; Mar 24, 2016 at 11:25 AM.
does anyone recall the specs on the rivets, by that I mean the length of the head that collapses to form capped top and bottom.
I would use rivets the same diameter as the holes in the skirts. For the length, use twice the thickness of the skirt material. Make sure the rivet grip range is within that thickness. And get the aluminum rivets, like these from Lowe's.
I used screws. I drilled, took a toothpick and coated the holes with black RVT silicone, then screwed the skirts on. Little squeamish at drilling at first but the skirts are on (Oct. 2015). Mine is a DD and all is secure. I did not have a good rivet gun so I opted for screws.
Rivets are aluminum and steel...together....never a good mix. Aluminum is a very active metal, put 2 different alloys together and they will react....Best way for this is bolts and double sided tape.
Guys just call me really misinformed but I thought using the rivets I was only going through the skirt material and the fiber glass material not any metal. I assume there was a gap between the glass and the frame.
Guys just call me really misinformed but I thought using the rivets I was only going through the skirt material and the fiber glass material not any metal. I assume there was a gap between the glass and the frame.
They do just go through the skirt material. But there are a few of the holes that there is not much space behind the skirt before you hit the frame. Which is why I preferred the pop rivets, because after you pop them in they're flat on the back side. But as far as the "aluminum/steel" argument above...I have no idea what he is talking about. The rivets only go through the skirt material.
Last edited by StingerBG; Mar 27, 2016 at 08:32 PM.
I installed G3 skirts a few weeks ago using the stock screws where appropriate and rivets in the rest of the holes predrilled in the skirts. The installation is very solid and I have no worries they will loosen up. If I ever have damage to a skirt, I'll simply replace it. If I ever sell the caar, the skirts go with it so holes are a non-issue.
Did the install today. Used a couple of screws on each side that were existing. Also added one on each side at either ends. And added a couple of rivets. All this was on the undercarriage, so no holes drill on the 45 degree portion of the body. Applied 3M tape to the 45 and the under carriage. Gives me the option to remove with no unsightly holes. Thanks again for all the input.
I just installed RPI carbon flash skirts and splitter on ours a few weeks ago. I used the factory front screw and the remaining screws through the predrilled holes and it's solid. If I have an issue I may go with rivets or other options which may include stainless button head allen screws and nuts. For now, the screws are fine. I had EXPEL done on the skirts and splitter so they will last.
The aluminum/steel metal issue discussed above is called Galvanic corrosion.
Purchased RPI Stage 2 Side Skirts from a forum member. Its used so no hardware. Anybody know maybe what size and what kind of screws are used, their length or what kind of head. Are they self tapping? Any info will be appreciated.
We supply with our side skirts for the c7 with small little screws, the size are 1/2-5/8 of an inch and #8 in size. The dealership uses rivets when installing the side skirts on Z06 cars that are optioned with side skirts, when the car is being PDI they drill holes and install with rivets. We prefer to drill a small hole with a 3/32 drill bit and use the above mentioned screws. Here are a good couple reasons why, the screws are easier to install, easier to remove and less chance of making a mistake and either damaging the body of the car or the side skirt itself. Don't get me wrong a rivet is a get way of attaching 2 peices together but those two peices should be stronger than the rivet itself. For when you go to pull the rivet tight it does take a good amount of force to snap the rivet and materials such as plastic, fiberglass and even Lexan could develop stress fractures when this pulling is occuring(I have seen it with my own eyes) If you have any more questions you can reach me at 888-257-8515 ext 2. Don
RPI Side Skirt hardware
