Hey guys when im not in the garage sometimes I do boat recovery and I have to get a sunk house boat up and 30 miles up a river.Its on pontoons I can float it and get on mostly dry ground.The pontoon has 2 fist size holes side by side so i need to patch this well enough to float for possibly a month here is what im thinking dont laugh ive never even seen a rivet used.Option 1 just use 5200 and a regular rivet about every inch on aluminum patch.Option 2 use 1 inside and 1 outside with rivet nuts on the inside patch this option will be nearly impossible in current situation Option 3 cut patch to size drile holes in it and pontoon and put rivet nuts in pontoon im not sure how far the rivet nut sticks out in other words will it create gap between 2 pieces that make 5200 ineffective Im open to any suggestions I just gotta move quick these folks are paying a real nice fine daily for that boat being where it is I guess my main question is can you even use a regular rivet to hold 2 pieces tight enough together because that would be my easiest option Thanks and Im not discounting any ideas on this one
tips for riveting aluminum
- Thread starter jbird5986
- Start date
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
I would oversize a patch by at least one inch all around, lay the patch on and drill one hole through patch and pontoon, insert rivet, but do not set, rotate patch to side and apply silicon sealant all around the hole, rotate patch back in place and set first rivet, then work your way around the perimeter setting additional rivets. If you do not get good even squeeze out of the silicon, you might need to add more rivets. Allow silicon to fully set before subjecting to water. I would consider this only a temporary patch. Pontoon should be drained completely and a proper patch welded in place.
whatever I do has to last a little while I gotta float the boat then wait on cops to do their thing then it will take a week to get it to a landing I can pull it out at but its gotta float in place until government says it can move which could be awhile and I dont wanna have to stay with it will a regular rivet pull the patch tight enough together
fiberglass cloth & resin for a temp patch?
Even in controlled enviroment that is hit or miss and with the caliper of people involved in this I dont wanna use anything they may smell first they will get a headache next thing you know im killing the envirovent with chemicals Im not even running my motors near them yesterday I heard one ask the other what was in my scuba tanks because I blew up a airbag and released it.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I'm thinking a riveted on piece of aluminum combined with some windshield urethane would make for a solid temporary patch.
GreyOwl
Well-known member
Rivet a patch as stated above then spray it with Flexseal!
kerrynzl
Well-known member
@jbird5986
Just take a tube of urethane adhesive with you [Bostik ISR 70-03]
The rivets only hold the patch until it is cured.
Use "blind" pop rivets so they don't leak [and smear urethane over them later as a precaution]
You only need 4 corner rivets
The Bostik ISR is so tough it will literally tear the aluminium instead of letting go . So it can be considered an on-site permanent repair.
So take some snips with you and a file and clean up and round the corners of the patch.
Once the glue cures it is permanent
If you don't want to use rivets ,use roofing iron screws [with the rubber seal under the head]
Later you can remove them and fill the holes with glue [and rivets]
Here is some Bostik ISR 7003 that I tested to destruction with a crowbar ,
It literally pulled off the powder coating on the parent material
I glued the alloy deck onto my trailer as well as the fenders [I stand on the fenders]
edit:
If I was in a hurry, I would glue and rivet the patch, Then duct tape it until the glue cures
An outside patch is under compression not tension , so it will be strong and flexible
Just take a tube of urethane adhesive with you [Bostik ISR 70-03]
The rivets only hold the patch until it is cured.
Use "blind" pop rivets so they don't leak [and smear urethane over them later as a precaution]
You only need 4 corner rivets
The Bostik ISR is so tough it will literally tear the aluminium instead of letting go . So it can be considered an on-site permanent repair.
So take some snips with you and a file and clean up and round the corners of the patch.
Once the glue cures it is permanent
If you don't want to use rivets ,use roofing iron screws [with the rubber seal under the head]
Later you can remove them and fill the holes with glue [and rivets]
Here is some Bostik ISR 7003 that I tested to destruction with a crowbar ,
It literally pulled off the powder coating on the parent material
I glued the alloy deck onto my trailer as well as the fenders [I stand on the fenders]
edit:
If I was in a hurry, I would glue and rivet the patch, Then duct tape it until the glue cures
An outside patch is under compression not tension , so it will be strong and flexible
Last edited:
kerrynzl
Well-known member
Just for you
This is a blind rivet [they are sealed from behind]
Use these, they are very common
vs a normal pop-rivet
You will need either aluminium rivets or stainless steel [don't use "monel" rivets or you'll get electrolysis with aluminium]
Here at Walmart
Buy a cheap rivet gun and have a play.
Also take a cordless drill with you [and plenty of "Jobber" drill bits]
Last edited:
MBfreak
MEMBER EMERITUS
Try to find a workshop that works with aluminum aircraft repairs.
Best would be a CATALINA shop , they know all about alu in salt water.
They often have a VERY large amount of aircraft approved alu rivets in many patterns.
And also very handy clips to hold the repair part thro holes that will be later also riveted.
And be sure to ask the shop workers how to "heat treat" the rivets before using.
Some need to be frozen at - 20 C and then used within 12 hours.
Those rivets selfharden if kept at ambient for > 12 hours after freezing.
Good luck
Ola
Best would be a CATALINA shop , they know all about alu in salt water.
They often have a VERY large amount of aircraft approved alu rivets in many patterns.
And also very handy clips to hold the repair part thro holes that will be later also riveted.
And be sure to ask the shop workers how to "heat treat" the rivets before using.
Some need to be frozen at - 20 C and then used within 12 hours.
Those rivets selfharden if kept at ambient for > 12 hours after freezing.
Good luck
Ola
Rockable
Well-known member
There are excellent panel bonding adhesives available these days. They put car bodies together with them. Apply this generously and strap the well fitting panel in place until it cures. You would have to cut the patch out, You could never pry it off.
3M™ Panel Bonding Adhesive 38315
Looking for a strong adhesive for your automobile repair work? The 3M Panel Bonding Adhesive has excellent adhesion and can be used on both plastic and metal substrates like cold roll steel or aluminum. Even though the two-part epoxy formula may increase the time required to complete a job, the...
www.collisionservices.com
iagsxr
Well-known member
As mentioned, with the correct adhesive the patches could be a permanent repair.
I'd use these rivets or similar if you think the patches need mechanically held in place while the adhesive dries.
I'd use these rivets or similar if you think the patches need mechanically held in place while the adhesive dries.
So I got it done today I got blind rivets some metal roof screws and 5200 put half tube on me and in my hair the other half on the patch then took big piece soft rubber and 4 ratchet straps over that then put thru hull type plug in top for bilge just in case.I didnt know until I was in middle of it but i didnt see on tube of 5200 where it was for aluminum but it seemed fine thanks guys
minke
Well-known member
I've never used 5200 on aluminum but if it adheres the same as on fiberglass you aren't going to remove it easily. Ever.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I still have some 5200 on the soles of my work boots from a project I did 8 years ago. Stuff is indestructible.
Years ago worked at a place where half tubes of 5200 and plexus cartridges were easy to come by.
More then one pair of boots got the sole fixed, and lots of home projects got sealed (permanently) over the years...
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Pictures. We need pictures.
You know the rule...
