Vin Tag Rivets.....

[67vertman]

I plan to replace my dash pad this weekend and I do not want to pay the $$$ for the rosette rivets. I am thinking I can use my Drimal Tool and a small cutoff wheel to cut the rivets and squeeze them together to remove them.

What have you done to keep and reuse your rivets

[don340-4]

 Hey Ron; I reused my rivets when I installed a new dash, I did not cut any of the rivet, you need to save as much of  the rivet as possible that goes to the underside of the dash. I just pushed the stud out of the original & carefully squeezed it all around till I could push it through the hole, then used a stud from a new rivet to reinstall. The indentation for the tag did not line up with the original holes, they were off just enough to cause me to have to drill new holes. One rivet is holding real tight the other one not so much because one of the holes I had to drill was so close to the original that it ended up being egg shaped.   Mine is an Ultimate Rides dash. Hope it works out for you .

[67vertman]

Thanks for the info Don.  I haven't removed the dash yet, so I am only guessing on what it takes to remove them.

[djw383]

I got mine from here, a lot cheaper than other reproductions and a great deal if you get the logo transfer for the vin tag: http://ecsautomotive.com/productdesc.php?co=c&id=62

[burdar]

I see people selling those rivets for $60 a pair.  That's    Buy them from ECS along with the logo/transfer and be done with it. 

[flagcraig]

I just did mine.  I grinded off the back side and saved the top of rivets.  Then I glued rivets and vin tag onto new dash.  Looks very nice.

I used a thin layer of guerilla glue. 

[67vertman]

I knew ECS sold them as well, but my tag is in good shape, I am hoping I can save the originals instead of buying new.

Thanks Flagcraig, for the additional idea.  I was thinking about silcone to hold it in place if the rivets wouldnt hold it tight, I never thought about Gueralla Glue, I have some of that.  Did you clamp it inplace while the glue dried?

[jimynick]

If you use the Gorilla glue, don't forget to mist a bit of water on it- Gorilla glue cures using moisture. PS- DON'T get it all over you; unless you like being black spotted for a few days as it wears off. 

[67vertman]

If you use the Gorilla glue, don't forget to mist a bit of water on it- Gorilla glue cures using moisture. PS- DON'T get it all over you; unless you like being black spotted for a few days as it wears off. 

Good advice. as for having stained hand/arms/leggs from working on cars....that just my lot in life!  I always get spotted from the products I use. 

[flagcraig]

Yes I put one clamp on each end of the vin and let it sit for a couple of days.  I tried not to make it to tight.

[67vertman]

It took a little work, as trying to bend the rivets with plyers and vice grips didn't work, so I used small punches and a hammer.  Once out I filed the rivets some so they would go through the new dash pad.  Next I took the nails out of some rivets and reattached the original ones, they held perfectly.

Thanks again for all the advice and tips.

[jimynick]

So, you nailed it then? 

[Katfish]

I'll give you credit, I started to reuse mine but it was just too much work.
I but the ECS transfer and rivets and redid it.

I have the originals (cut off) if anyone wants them.