what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

[jtrom]

I was thinking of using a piece of tape over the back, then filling the hole with JB weld, then removing the tape, then sand it flush on both sides. I don't want a permnament backing plate. Is this a good and lasting repair? (the size of the holes are less than a 1/4 inch)

 

[jigngrub]

Re: what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

I personally like Tite-loc marine epoxy... very durable.

How many holes do you have?

Is your hull riveted? If it is you could just stick a rivet in the hole and no one would ever notice the difference.

This is an easy way to fix holes and leaky rivets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MA1-5NXjs&feature=related

 

[jtrom]

Re: what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

Yeah I was gonna use rivets for some of the holes (there are about 20 holes) but some of the holes are in places where a rivet looks out of place

 

[jigngrub]

Re: what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

Did somebody shoot that thing with a shotgun or what?

 

[jtrom]

Re: what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

Did somebody shoot that thing with a shotgun or what?

Haha...nope....just stuff being mounted and taken off over the years (the boat is 52 years old). I also removed both wood benches...that is 12 screw holes right there

 

[jtrom]

Re: what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

Yikes...I meant 24 screw holes just for the seats...maybe I have mistaken this giant cheese grater for a boat!! Haha

 

[tgp***]

Re: what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

My Nassau had more holes and dings than I could count. I used JB Weld Industial with a piece of aluminum flashing on the back side. I coned out the topside of the hole with a drill bit first so there is a little holding area. JB Weld adhears really well. The stuff dries really hard, difficult to sand down, but once its done its a solid fix.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

Use rivets........ only you will notice. The jb weld and or epoxy are okay however, I have seen the stuff pop out under flexing.

Pop rivet coated in 5200 and it will never leak.

 

[djpeters]

Re: what is the best way to fill small holes in aluminum?

Your title asked for the best way, IMHO, have them welded up by a qualified welder.