Rechroming BJ8 windshield support posts

[John_Progess]

I was told by the chrome shop that I needed to separate the rivited sections of the windshield posts before rechroming. I purchased the new rivits but what is the proceedure for reinstalling the rivits after the parts are chromed. The brass main piece is rivited to the stainless section with 4 steel rivits. Will this require a special riviting machine? The 5 smaller stainless rivits do not look like that will be much of a problem. Is there a write up about this anywhere? Thanks for any help.

John

 

[John Loftus]

Hi John,

I went through this with my BJ7 (which has the same posts as the BJ8). I removed the rivets holding the J hooks and the stainless steel bar you speak of. I left the other rivets after reviewing the parts with the chome shop and it probably saved me some grief. The J hooks rivets I got from British Car Specialists. The also sold me rivets for the SS piece but they were not right (they sent the rivets with the large domed head .. the ones I did not replace so let me know if you need those). I found the right rivets for the SS bar at a local metal/surplus store.

Installation for the SS bar to the post .. First used flat hd. screws/washer/nuts through two of the holes to clamp the two parts together. Then placed two flat head type steel (SS) rivets and used duct tape to hold in place and protect the chrome. Then using a high quality drift (snap on brand) and big hammer, flattened the rivets into place. This required 4 hands, a heavy duty vise/anvil and lots of pursuasion. Once the two rivets were set then the flat head screws were removed and the other two rivets set. Might be able to do the same with a large press and fixturing. Another suggestion to find some one who does small plane maintenence at a local airport. They usually have lots of rivet experience and tools/dies/squeezers to get the job done.

Cheers,
John

 

[John_Progess]

John,
Thanks for your reply and your pictures of your restoration. I have used several of your pictures. I am looking at the windshield post and there are 4 steel rivits with large dome heads and 5 smaller SS rivits that attach the SS section of the post to the chrome brass main piece. Then there is a steel bar that is rivited to the main chrome piece using two flat head rivits, at least I think they are rivits. Then the J hook with two rivits. Which rivits did you leave attached and how did the chrome turn out? I figured it would take some persuasion but I didn't know how maluable the rivits are. I also got mine from British Car Specialists. Thanks again.

John

 

[GregW]

Re-doing my windshield frame is still a bit in the future. I was thinking of using an arbor press to get the rivets back in. Harbor freight has a 1-ton press they put on sale dirt cheap from time to time. I might only need three hands with that.

 

[John Loftus]

John,
I left the 4 steel rivets with large dome heads (bezier rivets I think) and 5 smaller SS rivets that attach the two posts together. I did replace the Steel bar rivets (and was incorrect earlier .. only two used on each side.) I also replaced the J hook rivets .. these are pretty easy. I ended up using small aluminum blocks to protect the domed head and tail (milled a concave recess in the alum. to match the rivet head) and then used vise grips to squeeze these rivets carefully. Not much room to get a larger tool in there but Greg's suggestion of an arbor press may work.

There is an earlier thread with pictures showing the chroming with rivets. pillar thread

And another thread about the packing pieces that were missing on my car.
packing pieces On yeah! .. you supplied some of the info on these .. thanks!

With rivets, it's best to get extras and practice before hand to get good results.

Cheers,
John

 

[John_Progess]

John,
I think I will ask the plater if he can plate the post with the stainless section attached as you did. Yours looks great, thanks for your help.

John