LEAKY RIVETS

[Muskie-searcher]

I have an older aluminum boat with some leaky rivets. Any advice on the best material to use to solve this problem? I did use some silicon, but am not sure this is going to hold up very long under the water line. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[marine_man]

Drill out the old rivet, put some silicone in the hole and insert a new rivet and peen it...

marine_man

[backlash 1]

If you're not up to replacing the rivet, I know a resort owner who absolutely swears by JB WELD.

[hovermn]

JB Weld is good stuff. It's epoxy putty. Here's something you guys may not know. If you end up using it in the boat, plan on covering it with something. Paint, carpet, anything. Epoxy, whether used for sealing wood, wetting out fiberglass, or in this case, fixing a rivot, breaks down with UV rays and within a relatively short period of time, the compound will be compromised. I've experienced samples exposed to direct sunlight break down and flake away after a few months.

Just something to be aware of. When Cured, JB Weld should be paintable if you choose that route.

[BandB]

If you don't want to drill out the rivet you can do one of 2 things if you have a air chizel/hammer you can fab up a rivet set and put a heavy hammer on the other side and re-set the rivet or you can use 2 hammers one on each side and hit the bucked side with the hammer a few times. Re seting the rivets works about 80% of the time. this will last longer than any epoxy.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

There is a product that is called Gluevit that will cure leaky rivets.

Not sure where you can buy it. Maybe an internet check?

The problem is that it is expensive and you have to use all of it once it is mixed.

Had my boats rivets repaired and Gluvit put on the seams and have had no more problems. The repair man said that the stuff would seal most leaky rivits with out even having to peen them if they were not too loose.

Cliff

[Muskie-searcher]

Thanks a lot for the information, it is much appreciated. I think I am going to try one of the routes where I do not have to replace the rivet, as I have never done anything like that before and am not the most handy person in the world.