Reproducing Door Panel Retainer Nails ( A-35704-A )
 

I have been struggling on coming up with a way to accurately reproduce the head finish on the A-35704-A & B Door Cardboard Trim Retainer Nail using a reproduction nail as the platform for the modification. Has anyone successfully done this, -and if so, would you care to explain how you did this?

About the only method that is showing any promise to us is to replicate them on a 3D print station however the time element is the 'killer'. Does anyone else have any ideas or solutions??


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Re: Reproducing Door Panel Retainer Nails ( A-35704-A )
 

This sounds like a pain. But if you can support the nail head fron underneath, then you can take a sharp punch and hammer the dimples into the nail head. The only way I can think of doing it. Have you tried "Restoration Supply" in California to see if they have these nails.
My thoughts. JP

Re: Reproducing Door Panel Retainer Nails ( A-35704-A )
 

Not sure if I'm helping here. Are you after the dimple look? I just checked CS Osborne and their chart shows the dimpled style. I'm not sure of the head diameter but it looks like what you have in your picture.

Re: Reproducing Door Panel Retainer Nails ( A-35704-A )
 

It's complicated since they are a raised dot pattern. Most nails are steel and I would assume these are no exception. To fabricate a raised pattern cap that could be attached with adhesive might be a possibility. If a person could fabricate a punch die that would be hard enough to imprint the nail heads then that might be possible if each nail was heated and then impressed while hot. That wouldn't be easy either.

If the nails were a softer metal it might be easier but they still have to be driven into the substrate. There are a lot of decorative upholstery nails/tacks available but most of them are likely larger than that. What is the diameter of the head?