Re: [VAC] replacing exterior skin panels response.

[Roy Lashway <rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Not sure what they were doing in the 40's but suspect not much different 
then later.  On my '56 the front and rear panels are not riveted to the 
innter panels as far as I know.  That would be inconsistent with how 
airstreams are constructed.  If you want to double check I would suggest 
you open  a panel from the inside - they are probably simple pop rivets - 
far enough so you can view or probe the inside for any connecting braces, 
etc.

Olympic rivets are installate similar to standard pop rivets and you  can 
use the same rivet tool. However, Olympic rivets are constructed 
differently in that when tightened up with the rivet tool several fingers 
spread out (five I think) on the back side.  They  provide considerably 
more holding power then pop rivets which simply expand or fatten the  
inside end of the rivet.  The Olympic rivet shaft will, however, break 
off about a1/4 of an inch from head.  Purpose here is to provide a piece 
of the shaft onto which you apply a rivet head shaver which grinds down 
the shaft to the head of rivet and creates the smooth, sealed rivet head 
similar to existing exterior rivets.  The head shaver cost about $200 and 
with the number of rivets you have to deal with you probably should have 
one or find a dealer etc who will grind down the rivets after you have 
installed them.  You can do olympic rivets with a small grinding tool, 
such a s a Dremel tool but the final finish is not as neat  as rivet 
heads tool can do and  may appear different then surrounding one. 

Roy Lashway
'78 Argosy,'56 Bubble
rlashway@zianet.com