Rivet installation
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19
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Rivet installation
I have need to replace or reinstall a few rivets on various locations of my 67 vert. What tools and procedures has anyone found to be most effective. Example; the decklid hinge support brackets under the rear body section have a couple rivets either slightly disintegrating or missing. I have the rivets but am reluctant to start banging on them for fear of damaging any fiberglass. Any help and especially photos of the process in action would be greatly appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: DAVIE/FORT LAUDERDALE FL
I have replaced body rivets two differenrt ways. Have a friend hold a heavy hammer on the head of the rivet and with a small ball peen hammer, tap the end of the rivet repeatedly untill it smooshes to the desired shape. Don't smack it hard or it will distort the rivet. Just tap repeatedly. Another way to set the rivet is with an air hammer and a dedicated rivet tool-the end is concave and will smoosh the end like OEM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
I use an air hammer with a mini-regulator set at 15-20 psi and a concave 3/16" rivet set, and back up the rivet head with a big hammer head. Make sure you have the correct SOFT aluminum body rivets (Paragon or Doc Rebuild); regular hard rivets won't work, and will drive you crazy trying to peen them. 
