The Best Way To Repair Aluminum Hull

[AJ168]

If any of you remember, I'm the one with the 18 ft. aluminum cc. with the hull that was coated with epoxy that leaked. Well, I got all of the epoxy cleaned off, and found a couple missing rivets and several loose ones. I'm tying to decide on the best way to repair these rivets. Should I drill out the old rivets and put blind rivets in their place? Or may I be better off with an adhesive meant for repairing aluminum boats such as this. <br />http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0001390010655a&navCount=3&podId=0001390&parentId=cat21324&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21276&catalogCode= IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21324&hasJS=true

 

[Bondo]

Re: The Best Way To Repair Aluminum Hull

I use "Closed-end pop rivets".........They're Waterproof.....<br /><br />Do a Google,.... They're not all that common,.... But they're out there.....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: The Best Way To Repair Aluminum Hull

check this out. Marson rivet catalog. http://www.marfas.com/poprivets.shtml

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: The Best Way To Repair Aluminum Hull

also you can coat the outside with Gul Vit.

 

[AJ168]

Re: The Best Way To Repair Aluminum Hull

I forgot to say that I don't have the boat apart so it has to be something that I can do only from the exterior of the hull. I don't want to totally coat the hull with anything becuase I'll probably just be doing the same thing I just did in another few years.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: The Best Way To Repair Aluminum Hull

AJ, find a supplier for the marson rivets. drill out your bad rivets, and replace. the GulVit is the best for the exterior, either whole hull or patching. look it up in the mega mall. it's a far better sealer than the cabella stuff.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: The Best Way To Repair Aluminum Hull

Since you can only get to one side, Pop Rivets are about the only way to go and are very good.<br /><br />Here are a few suppliers I have used over the years:<br /><br />Hanson Rivet and Supply Co.- Closed End Self Sealing Rivets<br /> http://www.hansonrivet.com/w22.htm <br /><br />Emhart Fastening Teknologies-Rivets<br /> http://www.emhart.com/products/pop.html <br /><br />Jay-cee Sales & Rivet inc.<br /> http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivet61.htm <br /><br />Barnhill Bolt Co., Inc., Rivet-Fastener Specialist<br /> http://www.barnhillbolt.com/index.php?root=menu&level=&menu=600&catid=68&custid=523458968 <br /><br />Once these are in, you won't need GluvIt.

 

[AJ168]

Re: The Best Way To Repair Aluminum Hull

Thanks for all the help. I'll definatley be looking for somebody local who carries pop rivets. Hopefully I'll have this boat done before the stripers start coming up the Delaware.