Leaking Rivets, Alum Hull

[spydermann11]

I have a 50's Alumicraft with a few rivets leaking.
I have read to NOT weld them, but what about Braze?
I had also read to replace with SST Truss-Head screws and nylock nuts w/ washers.
I have only a few leaking for now. they all seem to be on one of he strakes.

 

[pckeen]

Neither. You can try rebucking them if you have access to both sides.

If that doesn't work, drill the leaking rivets out, and replace with a solid rivet (again, if you have access to both sides). If you don't have access to both sides, you can use a closed end blind rivet, and rivet it in from the outside.

As for how to do that, do a search on youtube for "bucking rivets", "re-bucking rivets", "installing solid rivets", and "closed end blind rivets" and you'll find lots.

As for welding, it can be done, but it's a last resort.

Your other option is to coat the inside of the rivets with Gluvit - search online here and you'll find lots of information on it.

 

[jbcurt00]

Any rebucking or replacing of rivets should be done before Gluvit.

 

[fonthillhdtv]

Neither. You can try rebucking them if you have access to both sides.

If that doesn't work, drill the leaking rivets out, and replace with a solid rivet (again, if you have access to both sides). If you don't have access to both sides, you can use a closed end blind rivet, and rivet it in from the outside.

As for how to do that, do a search on youtube for "bucking rivets", "re-bucking rivets", "installing solid rivets", and "closed end blind rivets" and you'll find lots.

As for welding, it can be done, but it's a last resort.

Your other option is to coat the inside of the rivets with Gluvit - search online here and you'll find lots of information on it.

dont mean to hijack this thread but i'm working on some leaking rivets as well , can't get to them from the inside so have decided to drill and replace ,I have a few questions
what size closed end blind rivets should i buy ( any Canadian suppliers that i don't have to buy 100's from)

can i use Gluvit on the rivets from the bottom outside of the boat, should i coat the new rivets with it before i install them

 

[pckeen]

Hi fonthillhdtv - you can start your own thread, so don't reply to this, and start your own if you have questions, but....

The width of the rivets depends on the size of the hole - so drill them out to see what you have. The shaft length of the rivet depends on how many layers of aluminum you have to go through. Gluvit doesn't work well on the outside - if you have to use a product on the outside try 3M 5200.