Aluminum panels - pre drilling?

Hi All
New builder here, I am building an MK5 - and general question about the aluminum panels. I plan on having them powder coated - and it seems that the consensus is to pre-drill the panels prior to sending them out. My plan is to pre-drill the points where it will be riveted into the frame, but how do you handle where they overlap? I am not sure how the holes will line up, without drilling while they overlap and into the frame.
Any suggestions on how you all have done the pre-drilling on your builds would be appreciated. Do I mock them up on the frame, drill through the panels while on the frame and use clecos? Or do I drill the panels off frame? And as mentioned, if off frame - how do I handle the panels that overlap?
Thanks all!
Eric

Use clecos to hold the panels for mock up and drilling all prior to coating.

Jeff

So, drill into frame using clecos to hold it - disassemble, send to paint - then once back, line up to the holes made in frame and rivet? Appreciate the feedback!

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Originally Posted by ericd

So, drill into frame using clecos to hold it - disassemble, send to paint - then once back, line up to the holes made in frame and rivet? Appreciate the feedback!

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Yes, drill into frame or overlapping panels.

Jeff

That's how I did it on about 90% of my panels. I can tell you for sure I REALLY appreciated having everything predrilled when I got back to that part of the car. Being able to compare having it predrilled vs. not. Predrill wins 100 of 100 times.

If I remember correctly there are spots on some panels it’s better to use bolts and not rivets when assembly happens. Think one is DS footbox top panel

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Originally Posted by Jeff Kleiner

Yes, drill into frame or overlapping panels.

Jeff

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Any guess on how many Cleos a guy should have? I own a couple dozen 1/8” size.

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Originally Posted by Shamilton289

Any guess on how many Cleos a guy should have? I own a couple dozen 1/8” size.

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Like weapons and cars…just a few more…

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Originally Posted by Shamilton289

Any guess on how many Cleos a guy should have? I own a couple dozen 1/8” size.

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I have over 100 clecos (I'm a retired aircraft mech). When I did my panels as discribed above I had ALL of them installed. NOTE: when you finaly get them rivited on carefully paint the rivit heads. Its a small detail you'll be glad you spent the time on.

good luck

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Rebostar, I like your choice of color for your panels as well as the frame. I think it brightens up the engine compartment. I wish I had done that instead of the flat black I used.

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Originally Posted by Rebostar

... when you finally get them riveted on carefully paint the rivet heads. It's a small detail you'll be glad you spent the time on.

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Yes indeed- paint the heads. Also- I like the e-power steering you have there. I have the same; love it!