[rivethead]

I have rivet holes in my 1977 280Z that I need to fill before painting. Do I fill them with bondo, sand and repaint? Is there a better alternative to bondo? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[280Zone]

I am having mine spot welded, I am not sure if that is better or not.

 

[obunstine]

I have a 78' 280Z and had the same problem because of the body trim. I had mine filled with bondo and sanded from a body shop. They charged me $10. per hole. Seemed resasonable to me.
Owen

 

[bakachan]

ive bondo'ed over mine

but if your holes are in a place where water can get to the backside
ide suggest putting in a steel pop rivet and bondo over that
the best choice is welding of course but if your on a budget this works

remember to take a pick hammer and make the hole slightly recessed
before u fill it in. makes it easier to make sand it flat and wave free

 

[Chromeshadow 71 240Z]

I filled mine 2 years ago, they're still fine. I countersunk the holes from the front, and put enough bondo to make a plug in the back so they couldn't get loose. I have to say we don't have much moisture here in San Diego, If you live in a wet area you may get different advice. Welding them may be better, but our sheet metal is very thin, it'll warp and still need filler.

 

[spork]

don't fill them with bondo...welding is the best option...if you can't do that, then use a fiber glass filler. It doesn't absorb water and you should never have a problem with the holes

 

[escanlon]

Bondo will absorb moisture over time and cause rust.

Welding is extremely expensive and has a good possibility of causing the sheet metal to warp. Additionally, it is very hard to grind to the surface of the surrounding metal.

The way we used to do it in a body shop I worked at years ago, is the same way we used to fill the holes used to pull dents. If there are a lot of them and / or the structural strength of the metal is compromised by the number of holes, either weld or braze.

If on the other hand you are just talking one or two holes or in the case of trim holes, then get yourself a heavy duty soldering iron, the tip kind and some acid core solder and flux. I'm not talking the little soldering iron's that you can do wiring with, or even circuit boards, the iron I'm referring to has a tip about 3/4 to an inch in diameter that tapers down to a tip, either at an angle or like a pencil. It may be rated 100 to 250 watts. Your Grand Dad may have used it to fix old pots and pans with.

The procedure is simple, heat the soldering iron, and while it's getting to temp, with an air grinder, spot the holes you will be filling, then apply the flux. The flux will etch the metal so it will receive the solder uniformly and not bead up. Once the iron is up to temp, touch the tip to the hole, hold it there for a couple seconds, then touch the acid core solder to the tip of the iron closest to the hole. The acid will be close enough to the hole to flow in there and do further etching and the solder should just flow in and fill the hole.

Take care not to overheat the hole or the solder will not stick. If this is the case, go on to the next hole to allow this one to cool down. If you don't touch it or have a lot of junk in it, you should be able to just use the acid core solder and iron to fill. If you have gunk then spot with the air grinder.

I've personally done several cars with this method, it is quick and easily worked. You can usually do a complete side of one car in about 10-15 minutes. The holes are small enough that you haven't compromised the metal by using solder and the solder is very easy to sand / grind down to shape and not require much filling with red cap over it.

One note, make sure you wipe off any flux or acid that may flow down, as it will continue to etch and can cause corrosion. Usually a rag soaked in acrylic thinner will cut both of these.

 

[rivethead]

Thanks to all who replied. Escanlon, I have one of those BIG soldering irons that you mentioned. I used it for soldering gutters (roofing). I'll give it a try.