Years ago, I had this idea of making faux rivets as part of a vehicle graphics scheme. I was going to use a round mask and an airbrush. Now, I’ve decided that fake plastic rivets would be better looking. I got these at 30 for 69 cents; they’re probably Teddy Bear eyes. I sanded the backs and glued them on with waterproof adhesive. I haven’t finished the other body work yet, but I was itchin’ to see how this would look.
Over the years, I’ve had fun with different graphic schemes on my own trucks. It goes against some people’s view of what conservative behavior is; but I say that they need to be careful that their traditions haven’t replaced the teachings of the Bible. That’s actually a dangerous practice that’s easy to be in.
Info update (from a discussion at a sign forum): Dianne, the first thing I did was to take steel wool to the existing paint on the truck. I sanded the back of each half bead, then used Goop brand plumbing adhesive. I hope it works; they seemed on really solid. I had to test that because the next step was to take a small wire brush to the tops. Everything must have microscopic scratches in order for paint or adhesives to stick to the previously glossy surface. It was a lot faster to wire brush them after they were glued on. Then I sprayed them with grey primer, which is surprisingly similar to the aged silver paint.
Getting a system down is obviously important, the slowest part is picking up each half bead. They’re only 8mm wide, and I guess all the restoration work I do makes my hands a bit coarse. Anyway,what I’m contemplating is a small box, no top, 3 sides. Maybe a grippy type floor, something rubbery. That way, I can shake the box full of half beads side to side, and some of them will turn over, with the flat side facing up. They’re a lot faster to pick up that way.
It might also help to have a flexible pre-marked tape like tool. That way, I wouldn’t have to look for 1 and a half, 3, 4 and a half, 6, etc. Not a huge time saver, but everything helps.
