Spotlights

[Deaf Mute]

I am in the process of dismantling a spotlight from a '57 truck for re-plating. The stainless body is riveted to a cast base that needs re-plating. I can't bring it to the plater like this as the stainless should just be buffed. Drilling out the rivets would be easy BUT where does one find replacements for the rivets? Then, how does one correctly install the new rivets? Of course "pop rivets" are out of the question!


duane miller

[Dick Steinkamp]

Duane,
These spotlights are relatively inexpensive. About 200 of them on eBay right now...

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...fsoo%3D2&fgtp=

...all much less than the cost of replating, let alone the disassembly and reassembly work involved.

Unless you are REALLY attached to yours for some reason, I'd just replace it with a good one.

[garyash]

I found an assortment of small rivets at my local Ace Hardware store, both solid and tubular type. To set the small tubular ones, I put a bearing ball on the open end of the rivet and squeezed it down with ViseGrips on the ball and rivet head until the open end started to spread enough to hold the parts together. Then I used the ViseGrips to squeeze it down tight. Keep your eye on the ball if it flies loose!


Another place to look is Big Flats Rivet Co.
http://www.bigflatsrivet.com/

[img=left]http://www.studegarage.com/images/gary_ash_m5_sm.jpg[/img=left] Gary Ash
Dartmouth, Mass.
'48 M5
'65 Wagonaire Commander
'63 Wagonaire Standard
web site at http://www.studegarage.com

[DEEPNHOCK]

Why not just buy a new escutcheon?
They have them here....
http://www.unityusa.com/
Look up vintage, or antique vehicle.
Hope the info helps.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by Deaf Mute

I am in the process of dismantling a spotlight from a '57 truck for re-plating. The stainless body is riveted to a cast base that needs re-plating. I can't bring it to the plater like this as the stainless should just be buffed. Drilling out the rivets would be easy BUT where does one find replacements for the rivets? Then, how does one correctly install the new rivets? Of course "pop rivets" are out of the question!


duane miller

[rockne10]

Unity originally made them. Unity still has them.