Bonnet Restoration Dilema

[Hot Rover]

I purchased some from the Big Flats Rivet Company in the USA http://www.bigflatsrivet.com/index.html. They were $10 per 100 so I purchased 100 of each length, you can cut them to suit your needs. I also purchased a snap for the air gun which was $30.  If you look in their catalogue you will see them listed as land rover rivets. I found them good to deal with. The postage only cost $17

[Phoenix]

Time to start saving some cash as I would like to get the bonnet sorted out.  salves sapce in the garage as well then with 2 less bonnets!!

Ok, so I need the snap for an air hammer and riverts.

Then I put the rivert in, put the back on something very heavy, and use the air hammer on the top (dome side) ? to hit it down onto something heavy deforming the back and holding it in place ?

Just checking I have it all right.

[Hot Rover]

Time to start saving some cash as I would like to get the bonnet sorted out.  salves sapce in the garage as well then with 2 less bonnets!!

Ok, so I need the snap for an air hammer and riverts.

Then I put the rivert in, put the back on something very heavy, and use the air hammer on the top (dome side) ? to hit it down onto something heavy deforming the back and holding it in place ?

Just checking I have it all right.

Hi Phoenix
You are correct you need rivets and a snap and a air hammer. The air hammer needs to have a variable trigger this means if you press the trigger lightly you will get a gentle hammering action and if you fully depress the trigger you will get the full hammering action. When you rivet you don’t need to belt the b jesus out of the rivet you only need a light hammering action as the rivets are pure aluminium which is very soft. You don’t need heavy dollies you can use pieces of steel 50X50 x16 as a rough dimension . You don’t need great amounts of pressure on the dolly or the air hammer as it is the percussion that does the work hold enough force on the air hammer to hold the rivet in place the dolly behind the rivet  and lightly hold it against the end of the rivet, now squeeze the trigger of the air hammer lightly don’t fully depress the trigger as you won’t be able to control what is happening and you will do some damage as you hammer the rivet keep lightly pressing on thr dolly and maintain light pressure on the air hammer
I hope I haven't confused you in the end success come via technique.
Cheers Rod

[Phoenix]

Next Question, best way to remove the riverts?  grind off the backs?  Chisel ?

[DennisM]

Place your bonnet on a steady workplace, you don't want to be chasing it around, using a very sharp cold chisel and suitable hammer, use a low angle of approach, take the heads off.
Do not go at it like a bull at a gate, nice and steady, the heads come off very easy, after you have knocked off all the heads, and the few 3/16" pop rivets that are found on the under side of each folded edge, the skin should just lift off. If any rivets still have just a small grip, use a 3/16" pin punch that should knock the debris out of the way, cheers Dennis.

[Hot Rover]

Next Question, best way to remove the riverts?  grind off the backs?  Chisel ?

Hi Phoenix
Centre punch in the dome of the rivet and drill into the head wiht a slightly smaller drill and insert the center punch into the hole and givr the punch a wriggle and the head will pop off.
Cheers Rod

[bronzie66610]

With the rivets, I ground a drill bit to make the head of rivet fit die then made two dies out of a piece of steel bar. Needs two to operate but is quite effective. Will put up sketch of apparatus if required.
Or can make some for members to have.