Quick answer: for two-piece push rivets you need a removal tool, not a rivet gun. A forked trim tool or a pair of fastener removal pliers lifts the centre pin and pulls the body out. A "plastic rivet gun" is for a different fastener, the blind plastic rivet that is pulled from behind like a metal pop rivet. Push rivets are installed by hand: push the body in, press the pin flush.
Searches for plastic rivet tools mix up three quite different jobs. This guide sorts them out so you buy the right tool for the fasteners you actually have.
First, which plastic rivet do you have?
| Fastener | How it locks | Installed with | Removed with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push rivet (push-pin) | Centre pin spreads the legs | Your thumb | Trim tool or removal pliers |
| Screw rivet | Centre screw spreads the legs | Screwdriver | Screwdriver, then lift |
| Blind plastic rivet | Mandrel pulled from the front collapses the body | Plastic rivet gun | Drill or cut |
| Christmas-tree clip | Ribbed stem grips the hole | Your thumb | Trim tool; often single use |
If your fastener has a separate centre pin sitting in the head, it is a push rivet. Our push rivets vs other clips guide has more detail on telling them apart.
Tool 1: the forked trim tool
A flat plastic or metal blade with a V-shaped notch at the tip. You slide the notch under the head of the rivet or under the centre pin and lever upwards.
- Best for: lifting centre pins, popping rivet bodies, and prising panels apart without scratching them.
- Plastic vs metal: plastic tools are kinder to paint and soft panels. Thin metal tools get under tight, seized pins more easily but can mark surfaces.
- Tip: buy a set with a few notch widths. A narrow notch for the pin and a wider one for the body is the ideal pair.
Tool 2: fastener removal pliers
Pliers with angled, forked jaws that slide under the rivet head and lever against the panel as you squeeze.
- Best for: high-volume work such as a full set of ATV body panels, a wheel-well liner or an RV wall where you'll pull dozens of clips.
- Why they help: the pliers pull straight up, so the legs come out evenly and the clip is more likely to be reusable.
- Watch out: lift the centre pin first. Pulling a fully locked rivet with pliers tears the legs or enlarges the hole.
Tool 3: the plastic rivet gun
A hand riveter, similar to a pop-rivet gun, built for blind plastic rivets. It grips a mandrel and pulls it until the rivet body collapses behind the panel.
- Best for: blind plastic rivets used in some interior trim, signage, ducting and light enclosures.
- Not for: two-piece push rivets. They have no mandrel to pull and need no gun.
- Can a metal pop-rivet gun set plastic rivets? Some can if the nosepiece matches the mandrel, but the pull force is easy to overdo on plastic. Check the rivet maker's guidance.
Tool 4: improvised tools
No trim tool to hand? These work in a pinch:
- Thin flat screwdriver: fine for lifting the centre pin. Wrap the tip in tape to protect the panel.
- Side cutters (nippers): grip under the head and roll against the panel to lever the body up. Gentle pressure only.
- A pick: useful for hooking a pin that has been pushed below the head.
Our how to remove push rivets guide covers technique, including what to do when the pin has been pushed right through.
Which tool should you buy?
| Your job | Recommended |
|---|---|
| A handful of clips on a car or ATV | Forked trim tool set |
| Full body-panel strip-down, fleet or shop work | Removal pliers plus a trim tool for the pins |
| Installing new push rivets | No tool; press by hand |
| Blind plastic rivets | Plastic rivet gun with the right nosepiece |
Installing push rivets needs no tool
With the pin raised, push the body through the aligned holes until the head sits flat, then press the pin flush with your thumb. If it won't go flush, the stack may be too thick or the holes misaligned. Check the grip range guide. Our 8mm nylon push rivets and 8mm automotive push rivets install this way.
Looking after your tools
- Keep plastic trim tools sharp-edged. A chewed tip won't slide under a tight pin. Replace them when the notch rounds off.
- Wipe metal tools after wet or salty jobs so they don't rust and stain light-coloured panels.
- Store tools with your spare rivets. One box with a trim tool, removal pliers and a bag of the right-size rivets means the next job takes minutes.
Every 8mm option we stock is grouped in one place: the 8mm push rivets collection.
FAQ
Do I need a rivet gun for push rivets?
No. Push rivets install by hand. A rivet gun is for blind rivets that are set by pulling a mandrel.
What is the best tool to remove plastic rivets?
A forked trim tool for the centre pin, plus removal pliers if you have a lot to do. Lift the pin first, then pull the body.
How do I remove plastic rivets without a tool?
Use a thin flat screwdriver to lift the centre pin, then lever the body out from two sides. Protect painted surfaces with tape.
Can removed push rivets be reused?
Often, if the legs are intact and the pin still locks. Discard any with cracked heads or loose pins.
Will a trim tool scratch my panels?
Plastic tools rarely do. Metal tools can, so pad the panel with tape or a cloth.
Are removal pliers worth it for one job?
For a handful of clips, a trim tool is enough. Pliers pay off when you regularly strip full panels, liners or trailer walls.