Stainless Screws for Indicators etc….

I am changing my orange indicators, clear side lights and red rear lights as they are full of moisture and old clouded plastic. I want to use stainless screws instead of the supplied steel screws. Could someone please suggest a suitable metric size for the fitting screws and also for those retaining the plastic covers please? I‘m fine identifying bolt sizes but not screws!

Don’t use stainless. It turns the ally to crusty snot faster than mild steel. Better to use tinned mild steel.

Zinc plated?...

Stainless is fine for most indicator, side lamp lens units today as replacement bulb holders are plastic. Even the old steel holders are fine with a dob of grease where the screw goes in. I just use self tap from a selection box.

tottot said:

Stainless is fine for most indicator, side lamp lens units today as replacement bulb holders are plastic. Even the old steel holders are fine with a dob of grease where the screw goes in. I just use self tap from a selection box.

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It’s not the lamp that’s the issue. It’s the wing that suffers. Ally rivets would be ideal but many modern lamp units crack when riveted.

OP was asking about fitting the lens's to the lamp holder.

tottot said:

OP was asking about fitting the lens's to the lamp holder.

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He was asking about both..

I was. I managed to get the plastic cover off one of the indicators and the base fitting is held in place by three self-tapping screws. The plastic surround, into which the cover sits, is so brittle (probably the same for all similar fittings on the car) that I am going to replace them all. Can I get the same replacement fittings the same as I have now? How can you tell which sort is which? ( I think some versions have two screws that go through the plastic cover through to the bodywork to secure them - I don’t want that type).

The ones I have just fitted have seperate screws for light unit to body panel and machine threaded screws for lens...after fitting as the rear panels on the tub are new I will replace screws for unit with nut and bolt...when you fit new make sure drain slot on seal is at the bottom...

The cheapies screw the body to the car, then the lens to the lamp body, measure the screws supplied and then buy stainless for the lens cover ones.
Grease everything, not poxy wd40 but actual grease.

If anyone knows of decent quality lamp units I would like to know. Ta.

Shippers said:

The ones I have just fitted have seperate screws for light unit to body panel and machine threaded screws for lens...after fitting as the rear panels on the tub are new I will replace screws for unit with nut and bolt...when you fit new make sure drain slot on seal is at the bottom...

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Which ones did you buy and from whom please? Also I have sent you a pm