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TR6 Drilling Holes in a Freshly Painted TR-6

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Mark_Gibson

Mark_Gibson

Jedi Trainee
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I just got done drilling the holes for and mounting the plastic connect the dot fasteners for my tonneau cover on the doors of my TR-6. It was the last finishing touch to the car, and I had dreaded doing it, since one slip with the drill would have meant I would have had to go out back and beat myself senseless with a tire iron (wouldn't take long actually!) The key was to use a vey small finishing nail to mark the correct location, then a very small SHARP drill bit, and then go to the size needed for the pop rivit. The other trick is to install the tonneau so you can see exactly where the snaps need to be. Measuring from another car will most certainly mean that at least one of the snaps won't line up (Murphy's Law).

Mark
1970 TR-6 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
Congratulations, Mark! You're right - that is nerve-wracking. While installing the bonnet on the B I'm restoring, we managed to chip the paint on the back corner. It's not large, but it's there. Almost an inevitability, but isn't that what makes this such a fun hobby? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif

Mickey
 
Used to have to do this quite often, on new cars. The punch routine works, but runs the risk of leaving a small dimple nearby. Was taught to and always used several layers of masking tape. Never had a problem. But, you did it, so congrats.
 
One layer of masking tape, and a spring-loaded centre punch.
As Punch would say -"That's the way to do it!"

Now I wonder how many readers will understand that remark?
 
Mark, when installing new snaps, you might think about using Dot heavy duty snaps. They look exactly like the regular Dot snaps but the retention ring inside is a little thicker hence it holds a little tighter. And of course, never, never use hobby shop snaps. They are steel and they will rust. Dot is brass. But, you probably already know that.

Bill
 
Thanks for the tip Bill. The hardest part of the whole snap installation bit was to make sure when the pop rivit tool let loose, it didn't mar the paint. I guess I was just lucky I did 6 with no errors! It's amazing to me that these plastic dots have as much life expectancy as people say they do. Not much to them. I used to have metal snaps on the car before I rebuilt it, and you're right, rusty they were!!

Mark
 
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