Universal Zip-Tie Body Panel Connector

When panel fasners break and panels won’t stay put, this simple two-piece connector can save the day. Each side is a 15 mm disk, one has a clean pass-through slot for a zip tie (up to 4 mm wide), and the other features a recessed pocket to hold and optionally glue in the ratcheting head of another tie.

To use, cut the ratchet end off a zip tie and glue it into the recessed pocket on Side 2. Then thread another zip tie through Side 1, run it through the holes or tabs you need to fasten, insert the end into the ratchet piece you glued earlier, and cinch it tight. This simple system works great for securing broken automotive body panels, under-tray covers, or any thin parts that need a quick, strong, and low-profile connection.

I keep a small handful of them in my glove compartment, just in case.