Topic: Norms side skirts gap fix with rivnuts

[DeepBlueGXP]

Mike and I both had the same issues with the skirt just not sticking to the car even when prepared properly.  So I recommended rivnuts.  They are basically rivets with threads in the middle to put a screw into them.  I used them all the time in the Navy.  Mike bought a set for about $85.  It came with the rivnut tool, rivnuts and screws. 


See the gap after a few days
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Drill a pilot hole at the spot desired to allow for the greatest fit.  Test area by pressing with your finger to see which spot provides the best pressure to hold the skirt against the car.
[attachment=2]

Remove the screws close the area you have drilled the hole.
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Drill and debur the hole for the rivnut, the drill bit size that is specified by the kit must be used.  Step drill up to that size.  Then debur the hole.  Do not use a file to do this. 
[attachment=4]

Touch the bare metal so it doesn't rust
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Using the rivnut tool, compress the rivnut until the tool begins to get hard to squeeze.  Too hard and you'll rip the threads out.
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Rivnut installed.
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Paint the head of the screws (provided) to match.
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Re-assemble and tada.... Mucho better
[attachment=9]

[hammy221]

 how many people really had this issue?? the reason i ask is that i have not seen my car done yet due to being here in iraq and it was stored shortly after the skirts were put on. honestly i really hate the idea of drilling into the body and wanted to know if there is a different fix maybe less affective but so i got have to drill if i go to pull it out of storage and find i have this issue.

[Mac]

A few drops of crazy glue, been working now for two years. It gets very hot here and the tape wont hold. I put the glue on the rubber/plastic edging. Fast and easy way. You can not see it.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Spiky had the same issue.  He had his body shop put screws in.

[Go-N Def]

Thanks for posting that Joe!

[mikesturbo]

Has anybody had this issue with a light colored car ? I am wondering if that makes a difference. My sol is Yellow and those screws would show . The crazy glue sounds like a better Idea cause that will not show plus the hole in the rocker will eventualy rust and you will not see it happen behind the skirts. I wounder if silicone would work? Any thoughts?

[Gentleman Jack]

Has anybody had this issue with a light colored car ? I am wondering if that makes a difference. My sol is Yellow and those screws would show . The crazy glue sounds like a better Idea cause that will not show plus the hole in the rocker will eventualy rust and you will not see it happen behind the skirts. I wounder if silicone would work? Any thoughts?

MikesTurbo,

Paint the screw heads to match your paint and it will be all but invisible.  As you seee in the photos, DBG painted his screw head (actually, Go n Def's) black to match the black.  All you need it a few drops of the yellow.  The paint touch up explained in the post will also prevent the rust issue commented on in a previous post.

GJ

PS- nice write up DBG.

[DeepBlueGXP]

hehe,  Go-N Def did the work and took the photos.  He just took a little guidance from me and I'm only about 3 months behind posting it.

[Yamatr3]

I had the issue on mine too.  I shot some silicone in behind mine.

[patrick.schmidt]

I used the screw method also...painted to match...don't even notice them...P

[Comic33]

Spiky had the same issue.  He had his body shop put screws in.

I know this is a very old thread but I’m new to this forum so it’s my first time being able to look at pictures.

 I’m having a problem seeing the pictures in your post that shows how to do the rivnuts. I see small versions and some of those are hard to make out.  When I click on the pics they get bigger but they are just a blurry mess of pixels.  I’m looking at them on my iPhone - is that the problem?

I’m planning on getting Norms side skirts soon so I want to figure out the best way to install them with no gap.  Thanks.

[Sol Asylum]

I think the pictures are corrupt,  I'm seeing the same thing.

[Steelmesh]

"Your computer is now infected with a virus" is all I think when I open those pictures and see pacman on psychedelic drugs.

[DeepBlueGXP]

When I moved servers, photos were on a site that godaddy started messing with files as I offloaded them.  I'll see if I can find the originals.

[DeepBlueGXP]

pics corrected with originals.

[Helios]

As an FYI it looks like he used 10-32 rivnuts and PHMS (pan head machine screw). I think 1/4-20 would be too large for this application. My sideskirts (on a white Sky) also did not hold very well. I even used the good 3M double-sided tape. I have to rivnut and screw my sideskirts one day.

[Comic33]

pics corrected with originals.

Thank you very much!  I really appreciate you taking the time to find them and upload them again.  This will be very helpful.

[Comic33]

I was able to install my Norm’s recessed grills, CAI  and a few other mods but  I usually get my knowledge from the Solstice community.  My question here is: why would you need to use rivnuts instead of just some type of screw?  I assume it has to do with the makeup of the body/rocker panel? 

Sounds like the super glue worked but it must have been some industrial strength glue.

[DeepBlueGXP]

they were 10-32 riv-nuts. Did this because using just a screw would work but could strip out the hole since you really only would have one thread attaching it due to thickness of the medal.  This would also lead to corrosion.  The way I did it, they can be removed easily as well especially if you need to change the battery.

[Comic33]

Just placed my order!  Thanks for the help guys.  Hey - I have a Deep Blue  06 and Norm said he normally paints the little screen at the back a gloss black (I think he said gloss). Is that what most of you with a dark car did or would maybe a gunmetal or dark silver  work for a little contrast so it doesn’t fade into the dark blue? 

[Sly Bob]

Might I suggest that you go somewhere and get some clear bra protection on the side skirts when you put them on the car? On the cars that I have seen the skirts installed they often end up pitted over time. Protecting them with a clear bra material will help a lot.