How to remove plastic rivets
Plastic rivets are a common fastener widely used in electronic equipment, furniture, automotive interiors and other fields. Due to their light weight and corrosion resistance, plastic rivets have replaced metal rivets in many scenarios. However, many people encounter difficulties when it comes time to remove or replace them. This article will introduce in detail the removal method of plastic rivets, along with relevant tools and precautions.
1. Structure and types of plastic rivets

Plastic rivets usually consist of a head and a stem. After the stem is inserted into the hole, it expands through heating or mechanical force to form a fixing effect. Common plastic rivet types include:
| Type | Features | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Expanding plastic rivets | It is fixed by expansion of the rod, and the rivets need to be destroyed for disassembly. | Furniture, electronic products |
| Snap-on plastic rivets | Fixed by buckles and can be removed repeatedly | Car interiors, toys |
| Hot melt plastic rivets | It is melted and fixed by heating, and heating is required for disassembly. | Plastic products, packaging |
2. Common tools for removing plastic rivets
Removing plastic rivets requires the right tools. Here are some common tools and their uses:
| Tools | Purpose | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Flat head screwdriver | Pry open the rivet head | Avoid using excessive force to damage the material |
| Needle nose pliers | Clamp the rivet shank and pull it out | Suitable for snap rivets |
| heat gun | Softened hot melt rivets | Pay attention to temperature control to avoid burns |
| rivet remover | Professional tools for quick disassembly | Suitable for high-volume operations |
3. Disassembly steps of plastic rivets
Depending on the type of plastic rivet, the removal method is also different. Here are the general disassembly steps:
1.Check rivet type: First confirm whether the rivet is expansion type, snap-on type or hot-melt type in order to choose the appropriate tools and methods.
2.Preparation tools: Prepare the corresponding tools according to the rivet type, such as screwdriver, pliers or heat gun.
3.Disassembly operation:
4.Clean up residue: After disassembly, clean the remaining plastic in the hole to ensure that new rivets can be reinstalled.
4. Precautions
1.Avoid violent disassembly: Plastic rivets are easy to break, and excessive force may cause fragments to remain.
2.Pay attention to safety: When using a heat gun, avoid burns or fire.
3.protective material: When disassembling, be careful to protect surrounding materials to avoid scratches or deformation.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
| question | Solution |
|---|---|
| Rivet broken in hole | Drill holes with a fine drill bit to clean them, or soften them with a heat gun and remove them. |
| The hole becomes larger after disassembly | Replace rivets with larger sizes or use filler glue |
| Can't find suitable tool | Try using scissors or a knife to help pry it open |
Conclusion
The removal of plastic rivets is not complicated, but it requires choosing the right tools and methods according to the type. Through the introduction in this article, I believe you can easily deal with the problem of disassembly of plastic rivets. If you have other questions, please leave a message in the comment area for discussion.
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