Rivets for Body Trim

[Marccus]

My car was vandalized a while ago. Front window mashed, mirrors ripped off, sharp object used to gouge and scrape paint, dents on roof, hood, etc.

I've almost completed all the bodywork (and it was a LOT of hard labor!) and it looks pretty good, except it is almost covered completely in black primer - looks like a Robocop police car!

I removed all the trim, scraped rust off the metal trim support brackets, rustproofed and repainted theme. I removed all the paint on the plastic trim pieces and bumpers down to bare plastic (problem with bumper peeling paint previously), Primed all exterior plastic trim pieces with Bulldog adhesion promoter and then SEM Flexible Primer Surfacer. I'm now ready to reinstall trim pieces.

I wish I could paint it myself so I could learn this craft, but unfortunately I don't have a garage to turn into a paint booth. But doing the body work myself has saved me a LOT of money when I had people estimate the cost of the bodywork and repaint.

I had to drill out rivets to remove trim pieces.

Does anyone know the types and sizes of the rivets to use on the various trim pieces metal brackets that run along the lower sides of the SHO.

Also I need type and size of rivets that hold door handles to body.

Any advice would be appreciated.

:wave:

 

[mrecoolgar]

When I do work like that I replace the rivets with threaded hardware.
The door handle rivets can be replaced with 1/4-20 bolts + nuts.
The skirting bracket rivets can be replaced with an 8-32 nutsert and a machine screw.
You can use steel or stainless, choice of heads and ...

 

[jelloslug]

The door handle rivets take a 1/4" rivet puller to install them. I have a whole box of the right sized rivets that I never used on my '90 because I don't have the right tool to install them. I can mail you a hand full of them if you want. I ended up using 1/4 stainless steel button head cap screws with lock nuts to re attach my door handles.

 

[Marccus]

I couldn't figure out how to fully remove the door handles. If I can figure it out I will remove them IF they are easy to reinstall!!

So they are hanging there far enough from the body so I could prime behind them and so the paint doesn't leave an edge at the door handle - body interface.

How were you able to thread the nut onto the end of the screw which is within the door cavity?

If I can do this, I'll just go the screw and nut approach.

Thanks.

 

[93rev2sev]

You have to take the interior door panel off, roll up the window, and reach inside the door.

 

[HoustinoJillian]

depending on absolute paint quality, you could do it yourself in a driveway. wait for a calm day, and wet the ground down in a large area around where you'll be spraying to get rid of dust. it won't be show car quality but it'd probably be on par with maacoo (if, of course, you can handle a HVLP gun ok.

 

[Marccus]

Sounds like a good option since I'm strapped for cash. I haven't used an HVLP gun, but my friend, who would help me, has.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Marccus]

When I do work like that I replace the rivets with threaded hardware.
The door handle rivets can be replaced with 1/4-20 bolts + nuts.
The skirting bracket rivets can be replaced with an 8-32 nutsert and a machine screw.
You can use steel or stainless, choice of heads and ...

I've been reading up on nutserts, and to use the correct nutsert you need to know the thickness of the material the nutsert is inserted into.

What is the thickness or gauge of the body panels on the SHO?

I measured the holes, some are 1/4" and 5/16" (8mm). Some are not perfectly circular since I didn't have a chisel and punch to remove the rivets and had to drill them out. I would need to use the next larger drill size to ream out the hole, and thus I may need nutserts greater than 5/16".

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks.

 

[mrecoolgar]

I'm not sure of panel thickness, I'd guess 18-20 gage or thinner.
A body / paint store can assist you with the nutserts.
Remember you'll need the installation tool.
It's a bit pricey but worth it, to me anyways.
Just today I removed a handle from a door.
When I used a hammer and punch to remove the center pin from the rivet... well the complete rivet broke in half.
You couldn't ask for a better and quicker way to remove the handle assembly.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Marccus - I generally use rivets depending on what I'm replacing. For items that are (relatively) inaccessible, I definitely use rivets - which will remain fixed indefinitely, not develop rattles over time, and aren't going to rust. For items that I have ready access to, or that I'll likely be taking apart again (eg. the front disc brake dust shield), I used bolts/nuts if rivets aren't handy.

The door handle, window regulator, window motor, and door latch actuator all use 1/4" rivets, with varying head-lengths.

You have several sources to track down the information you're after (size, type, availability). I need to know the exact location (body panel, upper/lower, front/aft, left/right), bracket, etc., and I can probably get not only the size and type, but also a part number and availability. Drop me a PM.

Last time I checked [Google], a heavy-duty rivet tool that accommodates 1/4" dia. and larger rivets was less than the nutsert-tool.

The door handle rivets take a 1/4" rivet puller to install them. I have a whole box of the right sized rivets that I never used on my '90 because I don't have the right tool to install them. I can mail you a hand full of them if you want. I ended up using 1/4 stainless steel button head cap screws with lock nuts to re attach my door handles.

jelloslug - I'll take the rivets if you're not going to use them !!!

 

[Racer X]

The door handle rivets take a 1/4" rivet puller to install them. I have a whole box of the right sized rivets that I never used on my '90 because I don't have the right tool to install them. I can mail you a hand full of them if you want. I ended up using 1/4 stainless steel button head cap screws with lock nuts to re attach my door handles.

I'll take enough to replace the body cladding rails, and 1 to replace a lock solenoid that I drilled out like an idiot.

PM me with a price when you can, thanks.
*edit*
If you have any left, that is.

 

[glass]

When I was reassembling my car after paint I went to the paint store where I bought all my supplies and they loaned me the rivet tool for the door handles. It never hurts to ask. Good luck!