Bulkhead Powder Coating

[JJCobra]

One of the few options I wished I had got was the black powdercoating on the rear bulkhead, floor pans, and the transmission tunnel. I know the pans and the tunnels are easy to remove, but how about the rear bulkhead and side panels? It looks like there are bucked rivets and I'm not sure if a normal aircraft grade pop rivet would work after replacement.

Has anyone done this once they received their car?

Thanks,

Jason

[FatBoy]

I don't know about the curved side panels, but the rear bulkhead comes out easy enough. I've just put mine back in after removing it to address some loose rivets that were vibrating.

Paul

[RodKnock]

Assuming you have carpet, you'll have to pull that up and reglue when done, if possible.

[JJCobra]

Right now I have the bare un-powdercoated interior without any carpet. I just want to keep it bare and maybe carpet the floor pans and foot boxes, but keep the rest powdercoated black with the aluminum rivets in their natural color. I'm just concerned that if I get the panels out I won't be able to re-fasten them appropriately.

[Cobra Pack]

It is simple to pull all of these panels out. You just need an 1/8" drill bit and go to town. A simple pop rivet tool and aluminum rivets from the local hardware store is all you need to reinstall the panels. When I dissessembled my car for painting, I probably removed and reinstalled 250 rivets with a hand tool and it worked fine.

Mike

[Robert McLinden]

My leaf spring car (KMPS036) used pop rivets to install all the panels you speak of. I have removed all mine and had them powder coated much like you plan on doing. Although I have yet to reinstall them I will be using CR (Cherry Rivets) obtained from either Aircraft Spruce or Wicks Aircraft Supply. Sometimes your local airport will have a source of supply also.

These are aircraft structural rivets of almost the same strenght as AD rivets. My panels were fastened largely to tube and so solid rivets are out of the question.

[car4jim]

You can also use Rivnuts (a cuptured nut) so you can use threaded machine screws in place of rivets for removeable parts like the trans tunnel. I bought countersunk rivets so the rivet heads are flush with the face of the aluminum panels and upholstered the rear bulkhead with a high end simulated black leather to match the black leather dask. Looks great. I wanted an finished upholstery look for my Kirkham. leather and carpet everywhere!