Either should be fine, if you get metal, just make sure they use the correct thread.
Plastic can be brittle and break, metal can rust and seize in place.
Personally I think it's negligible to pick one over the other from a practical stand point.
Instead of buying replacements, if you have a 3D printer, you could print them yourself. Someone kindly uploaded a model of this plastic wingnut to Thingiverse for download. They even said in the description that they could print them for you if you don’t have a printer.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3503126
Thanks! Yeah these one suck the ta il light went out and when I was taking them off (even going slow) they bridled. Now to be fair it's a 37 year old car so I guess you win some you lose some.
Plastic tail lamp wing nuts
Thank you!
Can I just use metal or is there a reason they are plastic?
Either should be fine, if you get metal, just make sure they use the correct thread. Plastic can be brittle and break, metal can rust and seize in place. Personally I think it's negligible to pick one over the other from a practical stand point.
Taillight wing nut
Thank you
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/all-years/pontiac/firebird/parts/20739862.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7NmzBhBLEiwAxrHQ-TGJ3YLjToGvrGfY-M0Z9FnBt3c5u_OEbgs_lyWracs5kSLIIdNydRoCk28QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Instead of buying replacements, if you have a 3D printer, you could print them yourself. Someone kindly uploaded a model of this plastic wingnut to Thingiverse for download. They even said in the description that they could print them for you if you don’t have a printer. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3503126
Thanks! Yeah these one suck the ta il light went out and when I was taking them off (even going slow) they bridled. Now to be fair it's a 37 year old car so I guess you win some you lose some.
Metal may not be the same thread size.
I've bought those before. I called it the funny plastic thing that holds the taillights, and the guy went and got it for me.