hood pins...

[7challenger1]

im want to install hood pins on my car but im to affraid to drill the holes lol. anyone have any sugestions on how to drill the holes without messing up my hood/paint?

[wagesofsin]

look under your hood...
got blanks for holes? about 1 inch in diameter?
if so, now look down at your fender mounts...
got holes, about 1/2 inch diameter?

if so, mount the stud, put some grease on the very tip of the head and gently push down on the hood to transfer.

now youll see where to drill, it hopefully landed in the blank.

need more help?
i can take some pics of mine tomorrow.

good luck.
its easier than it sounds.

[7challenger1]

i have the holes that youre talking about...im just affriad that my paint will chip off or something...i dont know. pics would be great tho!!! thank you!

[bb71challenger]

i have the holes that youre talking about...im just affriad that my paint will chip off or something...i dont know. pics would be great tho!!! thank you!

I have heard of people putting masking tape where they are going to drill to keep the paint from flaking off. You should also use some kind of paint to seal off the bare steel from forming rust.

[AMXguy]

Mark the location as has been discribed and then drill a tiny pilot hole, then use a good quality hole saw. it works perfect I've done it several times, and even if you did get a little chip the plates will cover it anyway.

[wagesofsin]

I have heard of people putting masking tape where they are going to drill to keep the paint from flaking off. You should also use some kind of paint to seal off the bare steel from forming rust.

yes, tape.
and yes, clear nailpolish will work to seal it up, or if you have some xtra color.

[Super Blue 72]

What have you guys heard about using a Uni-bit?  Are they adviseable for this?  I heard they cut through the metal well without much distortion.  I do not have any experience with these.

[wagesofsin]

i use step drills alot. if youre carefull , it shouldnt pose a problem. it rather easy to oversize with them , so think fast and move slow.

[Super Blue 72]

... so think fast and move slow.

Ah yes, Master.....words to live by!   

Good info on the Unibit! 

[bb71challenger]

I use unibits all the time fabricating at work. I dont know that there is anything wrong with using them but I think I would just make sure I had the hole started in the right spot and just step up in drill sizes. Like stated earlier, it is extremely easy to over-ream a hole if you are not counting the shoulder drops of the bit.

[wunderless]

I used a punch to mark where I wanted to drill, that way the bit didn't "walk" on me.
I also drilled from the top down and took it slow.  No problems!

[MEK-Dangerfield]

This isn't as scary as you might think. The holes are already in the inner fenders for the studs. There is a provision on the underside of the hood for the holes. The good news is you can goof and make the hole a tad too big, but the hood pin bezel on top of the hood hides it.  Not that I ever make a boo-boo.   

 

 

 

 

[wagesofsin]

thanks mike, now i dont have to upload all my pics i took!!!   

looks just like mine, so really no need anyhow,   

[dutch]

cool paint mike... 

[4 speed fish]

Make sure when you drill the holes for the top plates that the holes are facing the correct way.