I didn't like the look of the bolts in the (as yet unpainted) frame of my truck after having to relocate some cross-members. Since frames of this vintage ('69) are all riveted, I decided to try my hand at riveting the attachments:
After considerable research I found that Fastenal will sell small quantities of solid rivets, and I had to make a tool to form the head. I bucked the factory head of the rivet with a steel plate scooped out to conform to the head, and a porta-power. The upset die is just an old bolt hand ground out to create a shape, and the rivets had to be heated multiple times with a torch to soften enough for my little air hammer to create the shape.
Had I thought to buy rivets before drilling out the holes to accommodate oversized bolts, it would have wound up looking quite factory.
Next question:
I've thought of using Chassis-Saver, and also of using a epoxy primer and top coat, even though spraying will be very awkward for me; not much garage space. I can't afford to send it out for blasting, so it will have to be hand-cleaned.
Recommendations?