I don't recall the size off the top of my head but there are essentially
three aspects to a rivet's size. First, the diameter of the rivet would be
based on the size of the hole in the panel. I want to say I used 1/8 inch
diameter. Second, the length of the rivet from the flange to the ball tip
is chosen based on the thickness of the panels you are riveting. For this
application that would be the thickness of the black panel plus the
thickness of the car's frame. The last aspect of size is the diameter of
the flange. I've found that different brand rivets have different size
flanges. Shop around for the ones with the biggest flange.
Another thing to note is the material the rivet is made from. I used
aluminum for two reasons. First, aluminum is less likely to corrode.
Second, aluminum is soft and less likely to crush the fiberglass panel when
you're installing the rivet.
Stephen I. Early
Technology Sector
MBNA America
800.441.7048 x74788
stephen.early@mbna.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Schroeder [mailto:gschroeder@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 4:52 PM
To: Early, Stephen; bricklin@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Pop Rivet Removal
Stephen,
Thanks. Do you know what size rivets that you used? I have some that are
the same size and some others used to hold the air cylinder down. Those are
about 1/2"
Greg
----- Original Message -----
From: "Early, Stephen" <Stephen.Early@mbna.com>
To: <bricklin@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 2:21 PM
Subject: RE: Pop Rivet Removal
> I drilled mine out with a standard metal drill. The first problem you may
> have it that the whole rivet may want to spin when you try and drill it
out.
> You should be able to address this by carefully inserting a flat
screwdriver
> between the plastic panel and the frame of the car and gently prying to
> create just enough friction that the rivet stops spinning. Drill only
deep
> enough to allow the rivet's flange to fall off.
>
> The second problem you may have is the plastic is brittle and may crack or
> break around the rivet holes. I used new aluminum rivets with large
flanges
> to distribute the pressure over more of the panel surface and prevent more
> cracking.
>
> Stephen I. Early
> Technology Sector
> MBNA America
> 800.441.7048 x74788
> stephen.early@mbna.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Greg Schroeder [mailto:gschroeder@comcast.net]
> Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 3:07 PM
> To: bricklin@autox.team.net
> Subject: Pop Rivet Removal
>
>
> What is the best method for the pop rivet removal on the black ground
affect
> panels? I want to remove these to do some rust proofing and check the
brake
> lines, but I do not want to cause any damage to the panel. There are
already
> a
> couple of cracks around some of the rivets. My thinking is to drill these
> out, if that is the case what is the recommended drill bit for these? If
> anyone has a passenger side panel in good condition I may be interested in
> purchasing that. There are a couple of chips out on mine near the wheel.
I
> may try to do a repair in this area. I am not sure how involved it will
be.
>
> I am hoping to complete the install of the second leaf spring on the
> passenger
> side this weekend. So the rear should be close to being finished. Shock
> cross
> member, shocks and leaf springs. Not much left there, but my wallet is
> about
> $500 lighter. My next step will be to work on the middle of the car for
> rust
> prevention.
>
> Greg 0036
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