SWITCHIHG OUT RIVETS WITH UNPAINTED ALUMINUM ONES ON 110

I've seen Series restorations with unpainted hammered rivets. I like the look so decided to try it on my unrestored '87 110. Theoretically the original rivets should just drill right out and make it a very fast job. However, I ran into a couple of stubborn ones that needed a fair amount of work to remove. Obviously one has to be very careful with the paint. I stopped here but plan on doing nearly all the remaining painted rivets. Nice little project. The 110 has about 12,000 original miles and goes 90mph on a level road.

@havens51 , this looks great, I do like a bare rivet. Q? are you loading the rivet hole with RTV sealant before riveting new in? If not, it's really worth doing to keep out moisture.

Thanks, and thanks for the tip. I will do so.

v8250 said:

@havens51 , this looks great, I do like a bare rivet. Q? are you loading the rivet hole with RTV sealant before riveting new in? If not, it's really worth doing to keep out moisture.

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And using 'blind' rivet that don't have the hole all the way through as a water access route ...

The unpainted rivet will corrode and you will get white streaks on your paintwork below the rivet.

they can be lacquered to stop corrosion...but that's a real labour of love

Rougharse Racing said:

The unpainted rivet will corrode and you will get white streaks on your paintwork below the rivet.

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From my experience you get that with ones that are painted as well!

Also have to be careful of the rivet gun bouncing back and chipping the paint.

Why not just rub the paint off the rivets with a bit of scotchbrite?

Easier to dab a bit of silver paint on each rivet than drill them out and replace every one. Place a thin card hole template over rivet and away you go with the silver paint.