Do you round-over the back side of your rivets?

[Jim Frahm]

I used an air chisel with a round over bit to round over the back side of all the rivets I have access to but especially the ones inside the footwell area. I do this to make it easier or less messy when installing the dynomat and carpet.

Before and after photos:


I’m not sure if it makes a difference but I have the time and the tool so why not!

[GoDadGo]

No, leave the rivets alone once you've installed them.

[Ted G]

I'm wondering if the integrity of the rivet would be compromised?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

No I did not

[edwardb]

No reason to do that. They'll get buried and completely disappear in the insulation and carpet.

Having said that, I'm pretty particular about the direction I put rivets. I always try to have the round finished side on and exposed side. I see builds where guys put the round finished side under the carpet or however hidden and the have ugly crushed end exposed. No reason to do that IMO.

[Jim Frahm]

Well, I mounted all the exposed rivets with the head showing. I did however round over the tails inside the foot box area. Time will tell if that was a good idea or not. The upside is, I can replace them if they come lose. The down side is, I have to replace them. This will be a live and learn lesson on building a kit car. Whatever the results, this build has been a blast so far.

[NAZ]

Keep in mind that every step adds cost or labor hours. If you really think it's worth the effort, go for it -- it won't hurt. Most of us don't see the benefit. To us it's just busy work, adds nothing to the finished product.

About the only time I've flattened the back side of a pop rivet is when installing 1/4-turn fasteners where the protruding swedged end of the pop rivet rests against the backing plate, interfering with the panel fit. As for affecting the structural strength of the rivet, never seen any testing done to confirm this but in my experience over several decades of installing DZUS style fasteners I can't recall having any pull-outs or other failures. I have ruined some panels over the years by getting sloppy while peening the rivets while in a hurry.

Have fun with your build.

[CaptB]

No.

[facultyofmusic]

I remember trying to round off some rivets and that made them looser... So I stopped. Probably due to my technique...

[Jeff Kleiner]

It’s kind of like my friend who polished all of his trunk aluminum then installed carpet. Looked pretty while building but when it was all done nobody knew the difference. But if it makes you feel good have at it!

Jeff

[CaptB]

It’s kind of like my friend who polished all of his trunk aluminum then installed carpet. Looked pretty while building but when it was all done nobody knew the difference. But if it makes you feel good have at it!

Jeff

I'm sure I've done a lot of detail work on my rig that will not be seen unless you take the body off!!!!

[AC Bill]

Lots of builders have spent time fiddling with things that will never be appreciated by anyone, other than themselves. And that's OK.

When I built my roadster 10 plus years ago, my main concern was just getting it finished, inspected, and registered for the road. I was so fearful the regulations would change, and I'd be stuck having to install air-bags, or safety bumpers, etc, etc., if I took to long. It still seems slightly unreal, that I could build a car in my garage, and be driving on the street legally.

i suppose if I had the lengthy wait for needed/back-ordered parts, as many new builders these days seem to have. I probably would have fiddled with stuff as an excuse just to be working on the build.:)

[Jim Frahm]

Lots of builders have spent time fiddling with things that will never be appreciated by anyone, other than themselves. And that's OK.

When I built my roadster 10 plus years ago, my main concern was just getting it finished, inspected, and registered for the road. I was so fearful the regulations would change, and I'd be stuck having to install air-bags, or safety bumpers, etc, etc., if I took to long. It still seems slightly unreal, that I could build a car in my garage, and be driving on the street legally.

i suppose if I had the lengthy wait for needed/back-ordered parts, as many new builders these days seem to have. I probably would have fiddled with stuff as an excuse just to be working on the build.:)


You nailed it! Having to wait on parts is probably the main reason for doing it. I’m working in four or five different parts of the manual because of the two pages of POL items. However, not rushing myself is probably a good thing. I've redone a portion of my front brake lines and the second attempt came out way better than the first.

Time to go find something else to do, or just sit out there and look at it.