best rivets?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
best rivets?
I was at harbor freight today and there are half a dozen differnt kind/sizes of pop rivets. I want to remove all my wire and hose hangers/holders? and pop rivet them back on after I'm done refinishing the firewall/fender wells.. suggestions on the best type/size and any others words of wisdom?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,302
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 71,
I believe the majority of the rivets are 3/16" diameter.
Buy assorted lengths because the parts being riveted in place vary in thickness and so does the cowl.
You can also cut the shanks of the long rivets if you need more short ones.
Regards,
Alan
I believe the majority of the rivets are 3/16" diameter.
Buy assorted lengths because the parts being riveted in place vary in thickness and so does the cowl.
You can also cut the shanks of the long rivets if you need more short ones.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
I think I would clean the primer off of them and then bend them away from the body and paint under them. They will be a pain to rivet them back on, If you use pop rivets they will have a hole in the center of them and you will need to rivet from the inside out or use something to back them up with or they will pull out of the fiberglass. If you use the original style rivets you will need help to hold the heads flat and then mash the rivets with a hammer. Don't be surprised if there are a few that you don't have axcess to hold them flat.
I think Alan is correct most of all the rivets are 3/16. If you get the original style get the longest and trim them with a good set of wire cutters. I found that about 1/4 inch sticking out flattened out good.
I think Alan is correct most of all the rivets are 3/16. If you get the original style get the longest and trim them with a good set of wire cutters. I found that about 1/4 inch sticking out flattened out good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
There are hollow pop rivets in a few places on our vettes, but there are also some 'closed end' pop rivets in many locations, as well as a plentiful number of the non pop-rivet type.
I just acquired a large quantity of 2 different lengths of 3/16 closed end type ... these don't leave a hole when installed, and are aluminum, with a steel shaft (the part that breaks off). When I stumbled on them in a local old family type hardware store, I bought out the entire supply, because they told me they couldn't get anymore.
I just acquired a large quantity of 2 different lengths of 3/16 closed end type ... these don't leave a hole when installed, and are aluminum, with a steel shaft (the part that breaks off). When I stumbled on them in a local old family type hardware store, I bought out the entire supply, because they told me they couldn't get anymore.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
Theres the 8 or so on the firewall and there was another 5-6 on the fender wells. I drilled them all out last night so no goin back now. I tried to work around them but I wasnt satisfied with that and the hangers needed work to. I didnt check for sure but I think most I can get to the back side if needed. My dash is complelty stripped out bare except the wiring. The ones I saw had a dime or so sized thin disc on the back side. I dont care if they are "correct" or not I just want a clean neat appearance that will hold well. With that said, what would you guys suggest?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
If you use the regular pop-rivets, you will need to plug the holes in them, or they will let air in. The vendors sell the ones that you described.
Here's a pic of two different ones that I found under my original carpeting. The top one is the one like you described, and the bottom one is the 'closed end' rivet that I mentioned in an earlier post.
Here's a pic of two different ones that I found under my original carpeting. The top one is the one like you described, and the bottom one is the 'closed end' rivet that I mentioned in an earlier post.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
Yes the top one is what was in it, the bottom is like what I have but I think they will pull through if I use them, well I dont even think they will work at all as the holes are pretty big.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,302
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 71
Often when you use a pop type rivet if the head is on the bracket or clip side you need to put a small washer on the shank of the rivet on the fiberglass side so the rivet has something to 'pull' against beside fiberglass.
Regards,
Alan
Often when you use a pop type rivet if the head is on the bracket or clip side you need to put a small washer on the shank of the rivet on the fiberglass side so the rivet has something to 'pull' against beside fiberglass.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
Hey Alan... I think thats what I need, I looked at a piece of equipment at my shop today that was pop riveted from the outside and on the inside it had something like washers like you said but do some rivets come with the washers? they look like the holes are smaller than a regular washer the same size would be.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
cool then I better check lowes or something, I didnt see nothin like that at harbor freight.. Thanks guys I think I can get them back on after I get it all painted, then I can start gettin the wiring all back the way it was.. I hope!
