TOPIC: 1961 Merc 500 Serial Plate Removal?

Hi All,
Been a while... I am slowly preping a 1961 Merc 500 to paint for my father. I am sand blasting the whole thing.. Does anyone have any sugestions as to how to safely remove the serial plate so I can get it all blasted and re-painted? I havent looked closely at it yet.. Are the rivets in blind holes or threw? If anyone has removed these let me know.

Thanks
Jesse C.

I use a putty knife behind the plate and hit the rivits with it using a hammer.

Dave do they snap off ok? and do you have to drill them out or will it dislodge them enough that they will fall out?

They should pop out, but if you decide to mask it off instead, DON'T use duct tape, it is the dickens to remove afterwards.

mine wiggle out.

I agree with George in that carefully masking it off with the correct autobody green tape is the way to go if your ID plate is in very good condition already.
The rivets are about 3/16" long and the part below the head is round, tapered a bit, and has 'spiralling' tiny 'teeth' that hold the rivets in place once tapped into place.
When you slip the putty knife in like Dave said, and you see that they have moved a tiny bit, then gently tap them from different angles and they will walk themselves up and out & you'll be able to re-used them.
The plate is fragile, and easily damaged so be careful.
doc

Thank you All! Thats exactly what I needed to know! As always this place is a true resource!