Alum. Skin Repair

[74Tradewind]

Is there an easy way to make presentable repairs of the aluminium skin where old rivets were once placed?

Other than installing another rivet, can this 1/8" hole be welded and ground smooth? Is there a filler to use? A previous owner took off the old window shades and installed ZipDee awnings on four sides of the trailer leaving the awning holes some with rivets.

Brian

[BobbyW]

Brian;

I think you answered the question yourself. Olympic rivets would be your best repair. They can be had in lots of 100 for about $15.00 US. Just apply a little dab of Vulcem in the hole or on the rivet, pop the rivet and grind the head with a file or dremel. It will look like a Pro did it.

Fillers will shrink and crack pretty quick.

Welding would costs you a bunch of bucks plus you would have distortion and you would never get the patina of the aluminum to match. Notice any other welding on your Airsteams skin? There is none.

Regards;
-BobbyWright