Glove box rivets and shiny door jambs

[Noel K.]

The judges thought my door jams were too shiny. Any suggestions about how to dull them down a little without really hurting the paint ?

Also,my glove box is attached with small metal screws and nuts and should be attached with rivets. Any suggestions re: where to acquire the correct rivets and installation method ?

thanks in advance
Noel Kendall

[John S.]

Re: Glove box rivets and shiny door jambs

Noel,

Dulling shiny door jambs was discussed on this board three days ago. Just scroll down to July 7, 2207 posts and you'll find some recommendations.

[John H.]

Re: Glove box rivets and shiny door jambs

Noel -

If you're talking about the exposed "rivet heads" on the back side of the glove box door, they aren't really rivets; those are hollow studs that are part of the die-cast front face that pass through the sheet metal inner panel and were peened over when the door was assembled. Someone apparently replaced the insert in the front panel using one of the kits that requires cutting off the peened-over studs and replacing them with tiny screws.

[Rob A.]

Re: Glove box rivets and shiny door jambs

Noel...

You could just clean them and spray them with Krylon Satin Clear. Of course, test a small non-visible area first to see if you're happy with the results. I've done this myself and was happy with the outcome.

[Henry S.]

Re: Glove box rivets and shiny door jambs

Noel,

I have restored 4-5 midyear glove box doors. Some I had to drill out the original rivets and replace them with the screws you are talking about. If you use a small drill bit (forgot what size) just drill out the allen head markings on screws. You want a bit about a 1/16 or 1/32 inch larger than the size of allen wrench you use on the screws. If allen wrench is 3/16, use a 1/4 or 5/16 bit. Use a cordless and go slowly so you don't go too deep. Just deep enough that you can't tell it was an allen head screw. After you have drilled out the heads use Krylon semi-flat black (I think it is #1613) to paint the screws. That will be as close as you can get to the rivet look.

Good luck,
Shooter

[Patrick H.]

Re: Glove box rivets and shiny door jambs

bob Young has showed a great method, and there was a recent article in the Restorer on this. Some of us have it as a Word file if you need it.

However, you'll need a different donor door that hasn't been "restored" as yours has, and has "virgin" rivets still in place. The rivets are not touched at all in this method, so you don't have to worry about original appearance.

Patrick