Re Attaching a POP TOP

[squire]

Does anyone know how to reattach a pop top, 2 of the 3 hinges has become dettached from the van. Are the pop rivets ally or steel. Where can the ally ones be bought from.

[NewarkNutter]

The pop rivets on mine are ally. To be honest I have never seen any steel pop rivets. While I'm not going to say that they don't exist, I don't think that you could put enough force on a hand operated rivet gun to deform a steel rivet.
You can buy pop rivets from good motor-factors and hardware outlets, Screwfix and most fastenings outlets. They are likely to be quite big ones you need, can't remember the size that are in mine but I think maybe 3/16"|, certainly 4mm or more.

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;jsess ... 3&x=16&y=8

there they are at screwfix. Just noticed they do have a steel rivet, so I stand corrected!

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;jsess ... arch=49923

If you can get them, try and find ones with big heads, or use some washers.

In my opinion there isn't much to chose between the steel or ally rivets for this job. The ally ones are prone to electrolytic action with the steel they pass through. This will eat away the ally and in time the rivets will break down. (probably what has happened to yours) If you use the mild steel ones they will certainly rust, doesn't matter how much paint you put on um, it won't get down between the panel and the rivet. The results are likely to be the same.

Hope that helps,
Andy.

[squire]

cheers andy, i have printed off the info and give it my mechanic, next time i go to a show i will get you some tinnies or take you for a few jars down at the local establishment.

[trundletruc]

You can get stainless steel pop rivets from boat chandlers They use them on masts etc. In order to "pop" them you need the lazy tong type of rivet gun.

They are very strong and additionally will not corrode away or rust. Put copper grease round them to reduce electrolytic action.