Poindexter

I want to pull my side skirts off, but they are riveted in the door well:



Anyone know how to remove these?

xviper

Rivets are generally drilled out with a small bit, then you need to fasten the piece back on using another rivet or some other method.

Poindexter

Thanks Dave.

Do you think the holes can be temporarily covered up with some sort of adhesive or rubber plug? - instead of using more rivets? I plan on using the holes for the new skirts, so there may be a month or two where the car is skirtless.

Ztec

Make sure these are aluminum and not Stainless - Aluminum is very easy to drill - what you want to avoid is using too large a drill bit in the beginning as this can cause the rivet head to spin and damage the skirt - step up from a smaller bit to the size of the actuall rivet - I would just put a dab of clear silicone on the hole until you use it again to prevent rust!
NZ
If they are stainless (not likely but possible) take your time and expect to go through alot of bits!

turbo_pwr

Yup, I learned the stainless thing the hard way.

Poindexter

Oh crap - I'm a little concerned about what material these rivets are now. The tops were painted over so it is really tough to tell.

But thanks for the help everyone

Ztec

easy way to tell is if you can scrape the metal! Aluminum is very soft and if you can carefully take an exacto or knife of some kind and make an impression it is aluminum - If you can't then is stainless, I am pretty sure it is aluminum since it is the most common - keep in mind that neither aluminum or stainless does not react to magnets so that way won't work in determining it's material - Or you can just drill it out and you will figure it out quickly.

Squeezer

my MY00 doesn't have any rivets in that spot

turbo_pwr

i think the rivets are holding his aftermarket side skirts in place.

ideugene

That's a clean rivet! I got El-cheapo ones at Sears that make ugly looking rivets! As people stated before, best way is to drill them out!