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06-18-2011, 10:55 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1974 25' Tradewind
Olympia
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
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Exterior hole repair
I've got a hole in my new-to-me 1972 Tradewind LY on the back right corner. While eventually I plan to replace that panel, I can't afford that yet (I'm a student living aboard).
The guy I brought it from "fixed" it with good ol' duct tape several years ago, but I heard someone mention that I might be able to patch it with a piece of aluminum and some pop rivets. Any ideas on how viable this is? Any other ideas on cheap patching that I can DIY?
Thanks!
Erin
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06-18-2011, 11:17 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1985 31' Excella
Fresno
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 307
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With a little research and a few tools you should be able to repair your hole. You will need Olympic rivets to make a proper repair. Here is the link to some discussions on the forum.
Wes
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06-19-2011, 05:25 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1958 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erinld
I've got a hole in my new-to-me 1972 Tradewind LY on the back right corner. While eventually I plan to replace that panel, I can't afford that yet (I'm a student living aboard).
The guy I brought it from "fixed" it with good ol' duct tape several years ago, but I heard someone mention that I might be able to patch it with a piece of aluminum and some pop rivets. Any ideas on how viable this is? Any other ideas on cheap patching that I can DIY?
Thanks!
Erin
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Welcome to the forums. Such repairs are easy. It would help us if you sent a pic or two to show us how large the hole is.
__________________
1958 Overlander
2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC
2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE
WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6
4CU 1st VP
My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog:
https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/
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06-19-2011, 09:54 AM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member
1974 25' Tradewind
Olympia
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
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Sorry, somehow I totally missed this section of the forums (I was a little bleary-eyed last night) and the moderator moved my thread here! I will definitely look around and post if I have more questions.
Thanks!
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07-25-2011, 05:19 PM
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#5
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New Member
1963 22' Safari
Pasadena
, California
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3
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clean edges
I'm also patching exterior holes from previous modifications. What is the best way to smooth the edges of the patch I've cut? I tried snips and a few different blades, but still have a bit of a waver on the edges. I could lightly hammer it out, but don't want to risk marring the new aluminum. Any suggestions are appreciated.
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07-25-2011, 05:26 PM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
1959 26' Overlander
Rutherfordton
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
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I have plans myself to patch a small 3/4" hole on mine with a piece. I just plan to rivet it on and shave the rivets to match, with some sealant of course. I have a cool idea for the shape of the tag but will not reveal it at this point.
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07-25-2011, 05:54 PM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1974 27' Overlander
Sault ste Marie
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 166
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Smoothing the edges is best done with a very fine file stroking along the edge using light strokes and cleaning the file often....Phil.
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07-25-2011, 06:00 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
Hilltop Lakes
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,764
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To avoid the wavyness on the edge of a cut piece of aluminum, make sure the sheet metal shears do not close completely. Cut until they almost meet, then slide them along and start a new cut. Most of the waves happen when the shears close.
pgr32e has it right to finish with a file.
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08-04-2011, 06:04 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1986 31' Sovereign
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 150
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I have a hole the PO patched very well w/ aluminum plate (3"x6") and a rubber gasket, pop riveted into place. I didn't even notice it until the deal was done. You can do it and do it well.
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10-21-2011, 01:18 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1957 22' Flying Cloud
Bozeman
, MT
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 83
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Help have this hole and would prefer something other than another piece of aluminum and four rivets. Any thought or ideas?? Does anyone make aluminum "bondo like product" Thanks Terry tlcbuilder@aol.com
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10-21-2011, 02:07 PM
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#11
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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AirForum sticker?
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10-21-2011, 06:37 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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10-22-2011, 09:57 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
1957 22' Flying Cloud
Bozeman
, MT
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 83
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Thanks, is was where someone put a TV cable wire thru. Right near front window, starboard side, so would prefer something less noticable, but a good idea. I had a couple other holes down low in back where I put the new water in and a couple 4" vent to hide holes and small damage, but was hoping for a better solution in this area. Someone needs to invent aluminum bondo that can be polished. thanks again Terry
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10-22-2011, 11:09 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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I'd install one of those fake security cameras in that hole.
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10-22-2011, 02:12 PM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member
1959 26' Overlander
Rutherfordton
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
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Looks like the factory hole for an adjustable antenna.
They did invent an aluminum filler that can be polished. It's called a tig welder, a steady hand, and some elbow grease. Lol
Cut a piece in the shape of something interesting (silver naked lady comes to mind) and rivet that over the hole. Or you could always locate a metal bottle cap (favorite bottled beverage of choice) and epoxy it on there.
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10-22-2011, 03:01 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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We had an abandoned hole in the beltline of our '56 Safari...not sure what it was from, but it is on the streetside back corner where the old electric water heater used to be (the screw holes were already there too - or else they would be spaced better ). Being that we weren't going to put an entire new beltline on the trailer for this one hole, we decided to fill it with Vulkem and a 2010 Liberty Nickel...kinda like a "re-born on date" to finishing our restoration in 2010. We're not concerned with dissimilar metal corrosion, because the two metals don't touch, there is Vulkem all the way around and the screws are stainless.
Shari
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11-06-2011, 02:08 PM
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#17
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1 Rivet Member
1959 26' Overlander
Rutherfordton
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
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11-07-2011, 08:34 AM
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#18
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yodaforce
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I like it!
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11-08-2011, 02:45 PM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
1986 31' Sovereign
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 150
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Awesome patch jobs. I have a hole in the area of the TV plug in the '86 Sovereign. Looks like something heavy & sharp cut the outer skin and it was patched with a boring parallelogram of Aluminum. I think the new patch may be more whimsical than restoration minded.
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11-08-2011, 06:34 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master In Training
1965 22' Safari
Mount Airy
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
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I used my antenna hole to get a little creative and do a little personalization. A new Metal blade for the band saw and some Olympic Rivets with some Parbond..and it did the trick.
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