Cladding bolt sizes... Which Go Where?!

Hi,
A while ago I went to a specialty hardware store and bought a set of Stainless Steel bolts to replace the cladding bolts. I wanted the "chrome" look, which worked pretty well. BUT, I hadn't removed the bolts yet when I bought the new ones, so I didn't know that there are short and long bolts. I replaced them with all long ones...
So.. stupidity consumed me and I didn't write anything down as to which order they went... long vs. short.

Could someone please help me with this?
Thanks!
---JIM---

cant help you much with the sizes but i like the idea, i bet it gives a 'tough' look...

any pics??

No pics yet, but it does look good... I'll try to take pics tomorrow.
only down side is that the only type of head they had was a Phillips Head... (I went row by row through the entire store trying to find the right thread and head combo...) So, looks great from 5+ feet, but when you get closer (my opinion only) it looks kinda like body screws. I don't know... I just like the look of the hex head better. I looked into getting the original bolts chromed. They wanted $1.00 ea., with a $50 minimum charge. There are only 30-some bolts. I payed a total of under $5.00 for the stainless hardware!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

I looked into getting the original bolts chromed.

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Another option is polish the original ones then clear coat them with this. http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

Ya' might try these guys:

http://www.gardner-westcott.com/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rowhard

Another option is polish the original ones then clear coat them with this. http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

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I took the "Weird Dub Yankovic" approach, covering the heads of my cladding screws with 3-M black reflective film (found at a local sign/graphics business), just cut squares, stuck em' on the screw heads, trimmed with a zacto knife, & punched out the centers with a star bit.

I'm getting tired of black, & am thinking of re-doing them in silver.

I like the polishing and clearing idea... thanks!

But, back to the question at hand... anybody know where the short and long bolts go?
thanks!

sorry for the thread jack....must be turning into a mini dub...

i might have to steal your idea for sure....i think it will give a great look...

Acouple years ago I sprayed mine using a hi-temp Silver paint ( hi-temp due to I had a can laying around ) but it coats fast and is durable and still looks good. I just screwed them into a 1"x8" board,scotchbrited the top/sides and shot'em. It works good unless you just want to Chrome Look. I just went and pulled a few out for you and this is length configuration.

There are 36 screws total and of those 10 are shorter. The shortest screws are in each door ( 8 total ) and the other 2 are in the very front on each side of the grill. Hope this helps...

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
MUCH APPRECIATED!!! :dance:

I'm going to remove the stainless steel ones and go back to the original ones, after I polish or paint them... whichever works best.

You rock! Thanks again!
---JIM---

Hi,
Here are some pics of the cladding bolts I used. They are all the LONG size... but they work.

Let me know what you think... positive or negative...
thanks!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0484.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0485.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_04821.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0481.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0479.JPG

not a bad look by any means....i think a bigger bolt would look sick...
something like this...i guess its the cladding shape a little that makes it look good...
http://www.4myjeep.com/images/front550.jpg

Yes, the bolt head was not as large as I was hoping...
It's funny that you showed that pic... I actually went to the Jeep dealer to price those... The guy laughed at me and said... "you realize they are just fake/plastic" . Also, they don't sell them alone.. have to buy the whole fender... LOL.

Thanks!

dub has something along those lines...
they arent as thick or big as the ones in those pics but the company he got them from makes all types, i believe they rivit on...

QUOTE=pbkid;144524]dub has something along those lines...
they arent as thick or big as the ones in those pics but the company he got them from makes all types, i believe they rivit on...[/QUOTE]

:confused:[...Whatchoo talkin' bout Bra?

All my cladding screws are factory, just covered the heads with reflective film...:smilewink

no no, refering to the flares you have on your fenders....not the bolts...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pbkid

no no, refering to the flares you have on your fenders....not the bolts...

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OK, NOW I get it...& FYI, the flares are held on with screws on the inside lip where they're not visible...:_wrench:

Now, back to the "cladding screw" thread...:smilewink

Hi,
Ok.. I removed the Stainless Steel Bolts and replaced them with the originals, but painted them with Aluminum paint. I think it looks MUCH better...
What do you think?

---JIM---
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0497.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_04901.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_05001.JPG

Looks great Jim, it's the direction I'm going to go also.

yup, looks great....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

Hi,
Ok.. I removed the Stainless Steel Bolts and replaced them with the originals, but painted them with Aluminum paint. I think it looks MUCH better...
What do you think?

---JIM---
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0497.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_04901.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_05001.JPG

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:thumbup:...MO BETTAH!...:thumbup:

Sorry to say...I hate it.


As far as I am concerned......Black rules.

Please dont paint cladding bolts...just keep the blend of the BOLTS to cladding....the original body line' to cladding break is the sweeeeeet spot....not the fastners.


But hey...thats just me!


jo

I was thinking of trying to find stainless steel replacements for mine as well, but I think I have to agree with Jo on this. It seems to highlight the fastners too much. May look different in person, or on another paint scheme...
Nice job, however!
Best,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JoFotoz

As far as I am concerned......Black rules.

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I am sure Bart will weigh in on this;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

Hi,
Ok.. I removed the Stainless Steel Bolts and replaced them with the originals, but painted them with Aluminum paint. I think it looks MUCH better...
What do you think?

---JIM---
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0497.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_04901.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_05001.JPG

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Looks nice, I"ve had complements on the detailed look and the Cladding bolts can up a few times.. I might give Merlin a call a see what a set would go for and do some powdercoating test. With an extra set I might even do a "Member exchange program"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JoFotoz

Sorry to say...I hate it.

As far as I am concerned......Black rules.

Please dont paint cladding bolts...just keep the blend of the BOLTS to cladding....the original body line' to cladding break is the sweeeeeet spot....not the fastners.

But hey...thats just me!

jo

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:_shrug:
I'm actually going for the accented look that other companies like Jeep did with their chrome "bolts". In my opinion, they look good... that said, everyone is entitled to their own.

Thanks for the comments.

:flame::_steeringHey thats one of the first things i did when i bought mine,i took license plate:dance::bomb: chrome screw cap covers and put over each bolt,and i can remove them when ever i want to with no problems. loooooks good

Ok,
After taking Jo's post to heart... I thought more about how it drew the eyes to the bolts first. I've liked some of the other examples of VXs that I've seen, particularly the Protons that have yellow bolts, and decided to go a similar route. I painted the bolts gloss BLACK!

I think this is it. I hope. LOL. I do like the look much better on the ebony. The silver would look better on a silver VX. I plan to do black wheels soon anyway.

So, thanks to Jo, for smooshing my ego, just so that I could rebound with a better decision... LOL
Just kidding... seriously. I asked for honest opinions...

Now, I just need to wash the VX and shine-up the cladding.. which of course the bolts will then look almost stock because they'll blend in with the shiny cladding... oh well. It still looks good. :)
Below, top row, are the black bolts...
Second row is the journey... LOL

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0527.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0530.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0529.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0525.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0531.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0524.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0479.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_04901.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0530.JPG

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

Ok,
After taking Jo's post to heart... I thought more about how it drew the eyes to the bolts first. I've liked some of the other examples of VXs that I've seen, particularly the Protons that have yellow bolts, and decided to go a similar route. I painted the bolts gloss BLACK!

I think this is it. I hope. LOL. I do like the look much better on the ebony. The silver would look better on a silver VX. I plan to do black wheels soon anyway.

So, thanks to Jo, for smooshing my ego, just so that I could rebound with a better decision... LOL
Just kidding... seriously. I asked for honest opinions...

Now, I just need to wash the VX and shine-up the cladding.. which of course the bolts will then look almost stock because they'll blend in with the shiny cladding... oh well. It still looks good. :)
Below, top row, are the black bolts...
Second row is the journey... LOL

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0527.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0530.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0529.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0525.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0531.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0524.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0479.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../IMG_04901.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0530.JPG

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In my opinion I liked them painted silver. If your VX was all blacked out even the wheels I would say they would look better like you have them now, Black, but with your wheels Chrome the silver bolts were a nice accent/Detail.

My favorite body line/Look of the VX is the front, some choose to block it??

To each there own...

Looks great Jim, but for my taste the black wheels might be a little to much black, as much as I love black you need a little something to set off. Some times some things are better left alone, but then again we don't know that until it's to late,,,,, just my thoughts...
Jim 99vc
Besides I hope to own your ride some day and don't want to have to buy new wheels....:smilewink