Problem with the top of the case

[pc1972]

I am fixing to start painting my case and I can't get the top of it off. It has pop rivets in it. Any idea how to get that off or should I just tape off everything else and continue painting.

[Tableleg]

Pop rivets can be a pain. I've always drilled a hole through the center of it. Once that hole is there, it's not hard to pry the rest of the rivit out.

I've heard other people use dremels though I'm not sure how. The first (and only) time I attemped this aproach left me with really messing up the surface that the rivit was on.

You could just tape everything off you don't want painted, but getting the top off would be easier methinks.

[AceX]

The best idea would be to drill the rivets out, maybe replace them with screws later on when its time for reassembly. Taping everything will just be a pain, expensive, and it probably won't turn out as good as it would if you had drilled out the rivets.

[pc1972]

So I can just drill through the rivets and then use thumb screws on the case with the existing holes?

[Crimson Sky]

Drilling out the rivet will leave a bigger hole than the threads of common case thumbscrews. Is it a steel case or aluminum?.

[pc1972]

Steel. Thermaltake Xaser II

[public_eyesore]

just drill the rivets out, get a rivet gun and put rivets back in.

[jptrvlr]

if you mechanically inclined, just tap the holes. once you drill the rivet, check the diameter of whatever your using. tap the hole and done. really makes a clean and pro look and its not time consuming at all. just an opinion.

jp

[pc1972]

I think that is what I'll do, jptrvlr. 'Preciate the input, to all.