How to Patch Screw Holes on Gunnel??

[TSCTSC]

I have a Lund Mr Pike that has a broad gunnel. I am planning to resite some of the cleats and wonder if there is a way to repatch the old screwholes? Thanks!

[Northlander]

Can you leave the old ones where they are and just mount new ones? I know its not ideal but would save some work. Maybe put some Ram Flush mounts where the old cleats were. Just tossin ideas out for ya. I wonder if something like JB weld would work?

[marine_man]

JB Weld would work, but won't give the textured finish that the gunwale has on it...

What I've seen done is to either use the normal rivet (the kind that your boat is made out of) and use silicone or some sort of adhesive to hold it in place and paint it the same color as your gunwale, which ends up looking pretty nice.

The other thing I've seen done is to use stainless steel bolt painted the same color as your gunwale and bolted to the gunwale...

That, or use it as an opportunity to add more accessories to your gunwale.. rod holder, etc

marine_man

[TSCTSC]

Where can I get the same coloured rivet from???

[JohnMickish]

Race shops that sell aluminum and plastic for racecars have the colored rivits and I would imagine an enclosed trailer manufacturer would have them too.

[marine_man]

You should be able to find the aluminum rivet just about anywhere... NAPA, or as a last resort your marine dealer.

In order to get close on color I'd buy a bottle of spray paint from your marine dealer... spendy perhaps, but you'll have it for touch ups for the future...

marine_man

[JohnMickish]

For a custom color I bet a guy could get pretty close with finger nail polish. Fairly cheap and it would be real easy to touch up if needed.

[TSCTSC]

Where would I be able to get quicksilver nail polish?? That is the name of the colour of my gunnel.

[Northlander]

Im sure the ladies at the cosmetic counter at Younkers would love to see you come in looking for your Quicksilver nailpolish you stud you. "Really its for my boat!"

Seriously though I would think K-mart or target would have something dang close. Maybe the same color just called something more lady like than "Quicksilver".

[JohnMickish]

Oh I knew you guys where going to have fun with that! Seriously though, I can tell you from standing there waiting for my wife or two daughters to pick a color that there is about every shade of every color ever made. Good luck and make sure you are wearing some flannel or something "manly" when your shopping there!

[IFallsRon]

I'd go with auto body filler. You can sand it smooth, then seal or paint.

[TSCTSC]

Where can I get an autobody filler? Is it hard to sand down?

In any case, I called Lund, and they said 9 out of 10 times, they would just put a rivet through the screw hole. Hehe.

[Valv]

I would do as others and Lund said, rivet.

How are you going to blend the touch up paint with existing paint on top of gunnell ? Unless you are an expert painter it will be more visible than 2 rivets, and it will look very bad.

[FlyingV]

Why not just put some round headed stainless steel screws in the holes? I don't think it would look bad. Maybe you could find some carriage bolts even so you would not have the screw driver slot showing.

[IFallsRon]

Body filler is available at parts stores, Fleet Farm and other such places. You mix the filler with a hardner. Squeeze it into the hole, smooth off the excess and let harden. You can sand it with emery or a wet/dry paper. The better job you do of applying, the less sanding (like patching drywall). It's important to seal or paint it afterward to protect it from water.

[Swimmer]

WIth body filler, it is very important to seal/prime it ASAP. Just the moisture in the air will degrade it quickly. So fill, harden, sand, prime in the same hour.

[TSCTSC]

Thanks for all the ideas. They are all good. But I think that I would like to go with the rivets. But I find that solid rivets are hard to get. Most places sell pop rivets. Where can I get them in Rochester? and I do not want to buy from the dealers if I can help it cos they always overcharge on stuff.

Thanks

[marine_man]

I agree TSCTSC... they do tyipcally overcharge... but it might be worth the call... you're only looking for a handfull probably and not an entire box, which is what you'll end up with just about anywhere I would guess... so it shouldn't be too expensive...

I'm not sure where else to get them from... maybe a fastenall, or hardware place like that?

marine_man

[JohnMickish]

Remember, with a solid (blind) rivet you will need to be able to get to the back side of the rivet. To make it look like what you want, you will need to hold an anvil on the outside and be able to get a hammer on the inside. If you do decide to go with a pop rivet you can push the center piece out with a small punch to help clean the look up.

[Kevin Turner]

Good suggestions so far. Would non skid tape be an option?