Paint my rivets - help required

[Carfeed]

Hi all

I've been looking for some sealed pop rivets in black 4mmx10mm for my Ford GT40 project for about a month now. The only companies that sell them require a minimum order quantity that way exceeds the amount I need. So I am now looking for a company to paint a batch of 1000 sealed aluminium rivets, they don't need to be local as the rivets are easy enough to post.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Trevor

[ColinM50]

Rather than painting them, why not invest in an anodizing kit and D.I.Y. Cost you about £50. Google for suppliers but here's one

http://www.gaterosplating.co.uk/Anodising-Kit.php

[codieskid]

I spoke to an anodising company a few days ago who told me they couldn't do the job as the shanks are steel and the rivet is aluminium.

Trev

[ColinM50]

Got a buddy who bought one of these cheapo kits and he sells the anodising service to his clients and makes a fortune out of it. He's always willing to have a mess around with different stuff so if you send me a few of the rivets I'll get him to have a go and see if it works. Send me a PM if you want my address. Not much to lose is there, just a few rivets and a stamp??

To be honest I THINK the rivets themselves will be aly; the shank bit that breaks off and the little bit left inside the rivet are steel and so won't anodise, but we'll give it a go if you like.

[Steve_D]

Do they have to be sealed?

Normal rivets but with black heads are readily available.

Steve

[codieskid]

Yeah they need to be sealed. I've heard a couple of stories about water getting into the chassis frame and rotting them to not want to risk using anything else.

Trev

[codieskid]

ColinM50 said:

Got a buddy who bought one of these cheapo kits and he sells the anodising service to his clients and makes a fortune out of it. He's always willing to have a mess around with different stuff so if you send me a few of the rivets I'll get him to have a go and see if it works. Send me a PM if you want my address. Not much to lose is there, just a few rivets and a stamp??

To be honest I THINK the rivets themselves will be aly; the shank bit that breaks off and the little bit left inside the rivet are steel and so won't anodise, but we'll give it a go if you like.

Hey Colin

Can you PM me your email address and I'll pop a couple in the post. As for the rivets themselves they are indeed aluminium and it's only the shank that snaps off that is steel.

Trev

[dmulally]

I just dip rivets in sikaflex before popping them in and wiping any left overs with a rag before it sets.

[ColinM50]

PM sent to codieskid. Will let you all know what happens

[Mabbx]

I have around 950 of the 4.8mm x 15mm if they are any good. They are black and you can have as many as you like for free. Had to buy 1000 as that was all I could get, but they only cost £12 for the lot. I am relitivly local to you. PM if you need any.

[ColinM50]

Got the rivets on Friday and went to see my mate today and asked him if he could anodise them black. Yes and No was the answer.

He doesn't have a problem doing it but there's a technical problem. The rivets themselves are aly and no problem at all in anodising them any colour you can think of BUT the shank that gets pulled off when you install them is made of steel and that's a problem.

Apparantly the solution that the items are suspended in whilst being anodised is sulphuric acid(or it might have been hydrochloric acid), and the acid and steel don't like each other. He says that all that happens is the steel gets eaten away before the anodising starts working. If you've got aly rivets with a removable shank or no shank at all, then it's a doiddle, but aly rivets with a steel shank is a no-no. He reckons you can buy aly rivets with aly shanks but I don't know about that.

Guess you don't want the half dozen back do you?

[codieskid]

Thanks for trying Colin, appreciate the help. I've actually managed to find some that have been powder coated in the size I need but they are very expensive but will have to do.

Thanks again

Trev

[ColinM50]

What about Mabbx's offer further up the page?

[codieskid]

ColinM50 said:

What about Mabbx's offer further up the page?

They need to be 4mm x 10mm as the holes are already drilled in my GT40 chassis

Trev

[EFA]

Waxoyl inside the chassis first, then dip the rivetts in Duralac before fitting. You will have no corrosion electrolytic or otherwise then.

[trackerjack]

I can get hold of 1/8" (3.2mm) x 10. These are widely used in the aircraft industry, these rivets are highest quality and completely sealed with no through hole. Lace my palm with some beer vouchers and they can be yours.

[codieskid]

trackerjack said:

I can get hold of 1/8" (3.2mm) x 10. These are widely used in the aircraft industry, these rivets are highest quality and completely sealed with no through hole. Lace my palm with some beer vouchers and they can be yours.

Shame, these are too small. As I said the holes in the chassis are already drilled and waiting for the rivets. Thanks for the offer though

Trev

[trackerjack]

One day I will learn to read LOL

Guess what rivets I will use on mine?

[pfedwards]

Are these any good?


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-x-12-5mm-BLACK-SEALED-POP-...

[TallPaul]

If you take your time, you can pop out the steel shank, annodise the rivets, then refit the steel shank and use as normal. It is very fiddly and you'll probably ruin 10-20% of them in the process, but I'd be inclined to give it a try.