Sill Plates - replacing the black with the metal, Removal? Options

[jjbunn]

I want to replace the black plastic sill plates with a pair of aluminium plates, which I have on hand.

What is the best way of removing the plastic round headed rivets that hold the current sill plates in place, without damaging the plates? Drilling them out looks tricky.

I'd rather not rivet the metal plates, and want to use small self tapping round head screws (I'm not concerned about originality). Is there any practical disadvantage to doing this?

Thanks for any advice!

[Tom_T]

I want to replace the black plastic sill plates with a pair of aluminium plates, which I have on hand.

What is the best way of removing the plastic round headed rivets that hold the current sill plates in place, without damaging the plates? Drilling them out looks tricky.

I'd rather not rivet the metal plates, and want to use small self tapping round head screws (I'm not concerned about originality). Is there any practical disadvantage to doing this?

Thanks for any advice!

Julian, IMHO the factory should've used SS screws there to make removal for inspection of the longs easy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I just slide a single edge razor blade up under the heads & cut them off, then the peg drops or can easily be pushed through the hole. Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc. sells those blades in 5 packs for paint scrapers, box cutters, etc., but just hold it flat by the reinforced back edge/corners, rock it back-n-forth to cut & go slow & careful so you don't cut into the threshold.