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While the truck was at the body shop I got call telling me the lower radiator grill was pretty rusted though. So I purchased a new one from Summit and delivered it to them. Well after I picked up the truck they told me they didn't mount the new parking lights I gave them and told me I would have to drill the holes out that they forgot.
Anyway looking at the new vs old I was trying to figure out how to make a template from the rusted out one to use on the new when below the paint I noticed these small indents/rings in the new metal, that matches up where I need to mount. My question is I'm unsure on whetherI'm supposed to drill them out or will they punch out without damaging anything. I'm nervous enough working around new paint! Any pointers.
If it were me I would start with a very fine drill bit to get the hole going with less risk of the bit walking or slipping. Put a couple of layers of blue tape over where you are drilling the hole to help hold the bit in place when you start drilling. You could start a small spot by twisting the bit between your finders to just break the tape and the first layer of paint so the bit is held when you start drilling proper.
once you have the pilot hole drilled you can move up to the final size drill bit. In this case you don't want to step the bits up because as you size up the bit may grab and bind on the hole chipping the paint.
That's how I would do it. Others might have a better suggestion
The tricky part is not so much drilling the holes but exactly where to drill them. If I remember correctly these lights do not exactly fit very well on original trucks
To answer your original question, those are not knock outs like an electrical box. They are just approximate markings the panel makers were nice enough to provide for you to use as a drill template. One thing you might consider is a spring loaded, automatic center punch. You put it in position, push hard and the punch will snap and make its own depression for you to start your drilling. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-...079H/302880581
Once that is done, an 1/8 drill bit should be easy enough to start without walking. If you really want to get fancy, a step drill bit will make a nice, clean hole without risk of edge chewing like a spiral high speed type. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...9201/204312636
Drill your 1/8" pilot hole, then run the step drill through until you get to the size hole you want.
To answer your original question, those are not knock outs like an electrical box. They are just approximate markings the panel makers were nice enough to provide for you to use as a drill template. One thing you might consider is a spring loaded, automatic center punch. You put it in position, push hard and the punch will snap and make its own depression for you to start your drilling. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-...079H/302880581
Once that is done, an 1/8 drill bit should be easy enough to start without walking. If you really want to get fancy, a step drill bit will make a nice, clean hole without risk of edge chewing like a spiral high speed type. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...9201/204312636
Drill your 1/8" pilot hole, then run the step drill through until you get to the size hole you want.
Thanks so much everyone. I have a step bit and I can see how that punch can come in real handy here. Shame I didn't catch this before the paint but hopefully all goes well. Thanks for the info Merc!
