Mark blind holes?

[Opie]

I am replacing a body trim piece on my car. The original trim piece is just thin plastic held on by 1/8" blind rivets. There is no access to the back of the holes. So, I'm needing to transfer the location of the holes to the new trim piece.

Unfortunately, I can not hold the new piece up and mark the holes from the back, as there is no access to the back of the holes.

Does anyone have a trick or method to be able to do this cheaply and easily?

Thanks,

Rick Waller
Chicagoland

 

[CraigFL]

Here at work, I have rolls of thin, see-through mylar that is not stretchable at all. I would roll it out over the present holes and mark with a center punch. Then I would lay it on the back of the trim and centerpunch again.

 

[dxdexter]

Hopefully I understand the question and scenario properly.
This may work:
- take some 1/8" rivets and cut the nails off so that 1/4" or so protrudes
- fit them loosely into the existing trim holes with the nails pointed outward
- cover the back of the new trim peice with masking tape close to where the holes will be
- fit the trim piece up to the rivets and press the taped portion into the rivets thus transferring a mark onto the masking tape.

 

[Opie]

Dex,

That does sound like a great idea. You had understood correctly.

Thanks much.

Rick

 

[Opie]

Craig, I would be concerned about getting the film transfer centered onto the new trim piece correctly. I believe it does need to be a process where I can hold the new trim in place while the holes are being marked. Dex's solution will probably work well.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[fastleft]

Kinda along the same idea as dxdexter, but there are tools for this exact purpose called Blind-Hole Spotters. I know that McMaster Carr has them. I have no idea how to link to a specific item so to find them just enter 2238 (page number) in the find box.

Hope it helps
Tommy

 

[Major Ramifications]

Maybe I don't quite understand exactly what you are trying to do, but is there some reason why a ruler or tape measure would not work?

 

[Opie]

It is an arced trim piece that is about 16 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. I don't thing it would be possible to be precise enough with a ruler.

I appreciate all of the suggestions, guys. Thank you.

 

[djjack]

Put lipstick on the area and press the plastic trim against the body to transfer the hole pattern.

 

[5wndwcpe]

Put lipstick on the area and press the plastic trim against the body to transfer the hole pattern.

This is an awesome idea.