23 replies to this topic

[Bass Man]

Did a quick search but couldn't find anything.

 

I want to rivet the rear valance on, can I use aluminium rivets or would it be best to use stainless steel? 

[nicklouse]

to be honest neither.

 

is this a road car?

[Bass Man]

Yep, I am also using panel adhesive, 

[Cooperman]

Do not use aluminium rivets unless you wish to attract corrosion between the dissimilar metals.

The rear valence is structural and should be welded on. However, if you are not overly concerned about the structural strength of the rear of the car then a good structural adhesive, properly applied, would be far better than aluminium rivets. Steel rivets would be very difficult to fit.

Why not do it properly and weld it on?

[nicklouse]

using stainless will corrode the mild steel.

 

the issue you have is that as it is part of the monocoque it needs fixing as per original.

[Ethel]

I did run a saloon for a while with no valance and no ill effects, it MoT'd too. Adhesives could be interesting maybe even stronger, but it'd be a lot more work than welding to prep properly.

[Spider]

Just use Zinc Plated Steel Rivets.

[sonikk4]

Or better still use Monel Rivets. Hard as hell to put down but they are a solid rivet. Also i would suggest you keep the pitch to a maximum of one inch. 5/32 as a minimum for rivet diameter.

 

But welding will make life a lot easier.

[Homersimpson]

Presumably you could rivet the valance on as long as you had as many rivets as there were spotwelds?

[sonikk4]

Lets put it this way i could rivet the valance on and you would not know.

 

Now if you used the right type of rivet, so in this case a 5/32nd countersunk solid Monel rivet and double flushed it it would be virtually impossible to tell if it was spot/plug welded or riveted.

 

And as an aside, i do this sort of thing for a living on Civil Aircraft. Riveting solid rivets is an art in itself and easy to mess up.

[Bass Man]

Brilliant, thanks for all the advice, all taken on board, gotta admit I have no experience welding so would have to get it done. Stripping off the old one this weekend, weather permitting.

[nicklouse]

Brilliant, thanks for all the advice, all taken on board, gotta admit I have no experience welding so would have to get it done. Stripping off the old one this weekend, weather permitting.

and this will be when you find out there is no metal to rivet it to.

[Dr s]

Hmm. I suspect it’s going to less than pretty when you open up the three layered rust sandwich. How’s the boot floor and under the rear lights looking?

[Bass Man]

Doesn't look too bad......... spot weld drill and angle grinder will tell, the top of the valance is not bad either, the issue is really holes behind the wheels, where the mud flaps would be....

[Dr s]

Why not just replace the closing panels then?