Has anyone tried "Dura Fix" aluminum weld?

[Stoutcat]

Hi all,

I (we) just bought a nice little 1957 aluminum Starcraft "SpeedQueen"... Great runabout, but it has a slight leak around the riveted, threaded aluminum flange that acts as the drain in the bottom of the boat...

I'm thinking about prepping it appropriately, then using Dura Fix to weld the flange tight to the hull...

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Has anyone tried "Dura Fix" aluminum weld?

I'm not one of the experts here but I do know the product they recommend for sealing the aluminum hulls is Gluvit. Do a few searches on the aluminum hull repairs and you'll find It's highly recommended on this forum. Hope that helps.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Has anyone tried "Dura Fix" aluminum weld?

Gluvit is the aluminum boats best friend.

 

[seagull369]

Re: Has anyone tried "Dura Fix" aluminum weld?

Most home centers sell brazing rods that bond with aluminum. All you need is a small MAPP or propane cylinder torch and (preferably) a stiff stainless steel brush (to prep the surface). Brazing works by capillary action so the filler will suck itself in the joint sealing it well, much like plumbing solder works on a copper plumbing joint.

One thing tho is be careful not to overheat the area you're working with (which can be easy to do with MAPP especially), otherwise you may warp/ weaken the parent metal.

 

[Stoutcat]

Re: Has anyone tried "Dura Fix" aluminum weld?

Thanks Seagull369 et al,

I've used a ton of epoxy-based products (West, Raka, US Composites, System 3), and in general like them... But still, I'd like to weld the joint if I can... On closer inspection, it looks like Gluvit was used in the past and was sufficient for a time... I'd like to seal the seam once and for all.

Alan

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Has anyone tried "Dura Fix" aluminum weld?

weld from the outside, then gulvit from the inside, it will fill what you missed.