Sealing Rivets From the Outside

[Bwana Don]

I found this at the West System site by accident. Sealing rivets from the outside of the boat with the floor in place. Maybe someone can use it.

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/aluminum-boat-rivet-repairs/

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/fixing-leaking-seams-in-an-aluminum-boat/


Her's a link to all the West System videos;
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/how-to-use-demos/

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Sealing Rivets From the Outside

On my double hull (bottom only) Holiday, I couldn't get to the inside of some rivets, and outside of others. As I was Gluviting the inside, 2 coats. I used any extra on the outside rivets, after I prepped them, same prep as I did the on inside. I also used something called Lab Metal, thinned down, Altho it seemed to set up faster than I liked, on dents, and gouges. It cured tight, and I had trouble sanding it smooth. Some I used on the trailer to sample, I had a hard time breaking it off with a hammer. Then the rivets That were leaking that I didn't get with gluvit, I used marine epoxy on. Then I put 2 coat of epoxy on the whole hull. Then I painted, not very well, but painted. After 4 trips in the lake, still no leaks, and the first one was real windy and had whitecaps on the lake. Only time will tell for sure. I'm sure West Coast's epoxy is good, but it's also a lot spendier than what I got at Clark Craft. I was also doing mine outside, under tarps in the winter.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Sealing Rivets From the Outside

I wonder how you apply up side down, boat on trailer. Hard to flip a 21' (i/o) cheiftain.
I have a couple leaky rivits, I tried gluv-it from the outside but after a trip to the coast the salt from the bilge leaked under the gluv-it and blistered it.

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Sealing Rivets From the Outside

I jacked mine up about 6 to 8 inches and blocked it. I've seen some people used jack stands on this site. The gluvit must nut have stuck good. Are you sure you prepped the aluminum good. It doesn't take much of anything. The wash with vinegar or most mildly acidic liquids in water helps a lot. Also fiberglassing an aluminum boat sounds a bit redundant, but if you put the resin solid, the water doesn't have a place to start. I find if I try two solutions one may work. But if I only go with one, I'll definitely screw it up somewhere. You said from the bilge, sounds like you need to do the inside also. Good luck with it.