Thread: Shonky's '58 Series II SWB

Thanks Dennis.

I had a look through that post but the impression I got was that the rivets available were all of the universal head type and not true dome heads. I know I'm being pedantic but I figure if I'm doing it, I may as well get it perfect!

I might PM Harry and see what type his were.

I have heard of air tools being modified for this purpose before. I don't have a lathe (or any air tools! ) unfortunately... do you think you could be coerced into doing the modifications?

Funnily enough it was specifically you and Richard (as the only Bloodbox owners I can remember off the top of my head) I was feeling sorry for when I was working away at my old paint!

Twisting my chassis is what worries me... it is perfect except for the rear member and so I really don't want to bugger it up. Maybe I will just paint it!

Hi Shonky - these pics are bringing back a lot of memories - great job on the paint stripping.

Keep vigilent on your rivet quest - it was a major part of my restoration. It took a while, but I eventually found all the right hardware and we were all really happy with the results. If you can't find the rivets/tools locally, check out my site(roverhaul.com: rivets), I have a link to the guy I bought mine from here in the US.

I wound up going with a new galvanized frame & then painted it with POR-15 paint, I liked the black look better. There was a three part process they had for painting over the galv metal.

I'm going to keep watching this thread, can't wait to see more progress.

Thanks!

G'day All, Andrew the rivets I used during the restoration of numerous land Rovers of mine have been the genuine shape i.e. round head or mushroom heads, I'm a real loonie for the genuine article.
Nice job on yours Roverhaul cheers Dennis

Originally Posted by roverhaul

Hi Shonky - these pics are bringing back a lot of memories - great job on the paint stripping.

Keep vigilent on your rivet quest - it was a major part of my restoration. It took a while, but I eventually found all the right hardware and we were all really happy with the results. If you can't find the rivets/tools locally, check out my site(roverhaul.com: rivets), I have a link to the guy I bought mine from here in the US.

I wound up going with a new galvanized frame & then painted it with POR-15 paint, I liked the black look better. There was a three part process they had for painting over the galv metal.

I'm going to keep watching this thread, can't wait to see more progress.

Thanks!

Hi Michael.

It's really good to hear from you! If you look carefully through my thread (including post #1!), you will find that your car is referenced or linked numerous times - usually as an example of what I hope mine will look like!

If I can't find rivets around here I will probably go offshore, so I will keep your contact in mind.

Thankyou for your very interesting and informative site. It has been an invaluable tool thus far in my progress and I look forward to being able to pick your brains now that you are on AULRO - which by the way is the greatest forum on earth. Welcome!

Originally Posted by Dinty

I'm a real loonie for the genuine article.

Haha! I've noticed!

More progress this weekend. I looked at the rivet supplier in the US that Michael suggested, and now that I have confirmation that I can definately find the right rivets somewhere I was a lot more comfortable with removing the old ones!

I found that the best method to remove them was to drill through the back with a 5mm bit. This removed almost all risk of damaging the outer surface of the panel and meant that if you slipped, the worse you would do is scrape the inner bit that no-one sees. I tried chiseling the heads off but I was so nervous about slipping and gouging the panel or warping the holes that it took me forever. Drilling out 57 dome rivets and 4 poppers took me about 10 minutes, and that was going carefully.



I also had to gently bend back the right angle lip on the rearward edge so I could slide the frame out. Since I don't have a gas torch handy (still up at the farm) I just took it gently and only bent it as much as I had to. It was a minor bend so it should be fine without annealing.

I did most of the paint stripping with the frame still in-situ so as to give it a bit more rigidity when scrubbing away at all that bronze green.




I am glad I pulled it all apart now. Neither the bonnet nor the frame were painted at the point of contact, and they have been slowly corroding each other away for the last 50 years. When I put it together I will paint both items seperately in primer, base and first colour coat prior to assembly so they remain separated and happy.





I'm still undecided about galvanising... (I know, changed my mind again!) I don't plan on taking this one off road - I'm getting a little too pedantic with things, so I think it will end up being a show pony. That in mind I probably don't need to galvanise it.

Now to get onto the business end. I need to panel beat out some of the dents and bumps, and equipment permitting - start painting (probably badly, until I get the hang of it! )

Crawling along.

Looking good mate. Watching with interest.

You are doing this one full on. It will be nice when done. Keep up the good work Tony