Dealers say retainer, forums say push pin, ATV owners say fender clip. This glossary maps each name to the part it means and tells you whether our 8mm push rivet is the one you need.
Push rivet names glossary
| Name you searched | Is it our push rivet? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Push rivet / push-type rivet | Yes | A two-piece plastic fastener: a body with split legs and a centre pin. Push the body into the hole, press the pin flush and the legs spread behind the panel. |
| Push retainer / retainer clip | Usually | Parts-catalogue name for the same push-type rivet, especially GM and Ford. |
| Push pin / panel pin | Usually | Everyday name for a push rivet. Check for the centre pin in the head. |
| Expansion rivet / expansion clip | Yes | Describes how it works: the pin expands the legs. |
| Fender clip / body clip / panel clip / trim clip | Sometimes | Names for where the fastener goes, not what it is. On ATVs and UTVs these are usually push rivets; on cars they can be push rivets or christmas tree clips. |
| Nylon rivet / plastic rivet | Yes, if it has a centre pin | Material names. Our rivets are black nylon. |
| Scrivet / screw rivet | No | Looks like a push rivet but the centre pin is a screw with a Phillips slot. Unscrew it; do not pry it. |
| Christmas tree clip / fir tree clip | No | One piece with a ribbed shank and no centre pin. Pushed in once; the ribs grip the hole. |
| Plastic pop rivet / blind rivet | No | Set with a rivet tool from one side by pulling a mandrel. The name is sometimes used loosely for push rivets; if there is no tool involved, it is a push rivet. |
| Metal pop rivet | No | Aluminium or steel blind rivet for a permanent joint. It has to be drilled out to remove; see plastic vs metal rivets. |
Two-second identification
- Centre pin, no screw slot: push rivet.
- Phillips slot in the pin: scrivet.
- One piece, ribbed shank: christmas tree clip.
- Needed a rivet gun: pop / blind rivet.
Pictures and more detail: push rivets vs christmas tree clips vs screw rivets.
Found a push rivet? Get the size right
Our rivet is 8mm shank (fits 8mm / 5/16" holes), 15mm head, 21mm long, black nylon. Check with the size guide, then shop the universal 8mm push rivets or the automotive 8mm clips. Have an OEM number? Use the ATV or car cross-reference.
FAQ
What is a push rivet called?
Push rivet, push-type retainer, push pin, expansion rivet and, by location, fender clip, body clip or trim clip. They all describe the same two-piece fastener with a centre pin.
Is a push pin the same as a push rivet?
Usually. If it is two pieces with a pin in the middle of the head that you press flush, it is a push rivet.
What is the difference between a push rivet and a scrivet?
A scrivet's centre pin is a screw: it has a Phillips slot and comes out with a screwdriver. A push rivet's pin is smooth and is pressed in or pried up.
Are plastic pop rivets the same as push rivets?
Not strictly. A true pop (blind) rivet is set with a rivet tool. People often say "plastic pop rivet" for a push rivet; if it goes in by hand, it is a push rivet.