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slvrbulit · 02-19-2009, 05:02 PM

Hello, installing new panels on front corner of our as. Would like to know what type of sealent is recommended when riveting the panels together.
Thanks,
Marcy

Shacksman · 02-19-2009, 08:57 PM

Vulkem is the choice of most people as it has a long set time allowing you time to get the panel placed and riveted before it drys out. What kind of riveting are you using? If Olympic rivets, dip each one into the vulkem to help seal them.
Check here for vulkem Vintage Trailer Supply - Vintage travel trailer parts and supplies!

Zeppelinium · 02-20-2009, 03:07 AM

The name has changed from Vulkem to Trempro. Same stuff.

Zep

Shacksman · 02-20-2009, 04:50 AM

Zep, in Canada It's called Trempro Vukem on the tube. Maybe old stock, but it still works fine. I found it for sale at the local Fastenal store.

Frank's Trailer Works · 02-20-2009, 04:54 AM

And now to open the debate flood gates.....

I personally recommend you DO NOT do a structural (exterior panels are structural) repair using Olympic rivets. That is not their intended use. You should be using solid rivets that are bucked into place.

And now someone else will chime in and say other wise.

Torii · 02-20-2009, 06:14 AM

I recently discovered that my Airstream features a front panel replacement and whoever did the job used olympic or field rivets. I ended up leaving them in place as they seemed to be doing just fine. You know what they say... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" I did apply some sealer to inside of the seams just for good measure.

I think issue is that eventually the Olympics will leak?

Inland RV Center, In · 02-20-2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62overlander

And now to open the debate flood gates.....

I personally recommend you DO NOT do a structural (exterior panels are structural) repair using Olympic rivets. That is not their intended use. You should be using solid rivets that are bucked into place.

And now someone else will chime in and say other wise.

Airstream approved the use of Olympic rivets, without washers, for structural repair back in 1972.

The Olympics took the place of "explosive rivets" that were made by Dupont, who took them off the market.

Andy
Andy

Shacksman · 02-20-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Airstream approved the use of Olympic rivets, without washers, for structural repair back in 1972.

The Olympics took the place of "explosive rivets" that were made by Dupont, who took them off the market.

Andy
Andy

Good thing the explosive rivets are no longer used. I took apart a 58 trailer that had the whole side replaced with them and every one was loose and leaking.

Inland RV Center, In · 02-20-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shacksman

Good thing the explosive rivets are no longer used. I took apart a 58 trailer that had the whole side replaced with them and every one was loose and leaking.

The explosive rivets "could" do a good job, "BUT"............

Like anything else, ya hadda be careful.

Andy

Frank's Trailer Works · 02-21-2009, 04:01 AM

Now see what I told you all... it has become a rivet debate.

Okay for starters, the olympic rivets were approved in the early 1970's due to the work by some Airstream Insurance agents pushing for it. It makes total sense to use them, for they save on time and labor of removing the interior. There has been a history of making changes to make the line between lost money and profit thinner. Just because it was approved does not mean it works. Thelidomide was approved to treat women with morning sickness and because of it a generation of deformed babies was born. Just because something is approved does not make it right.

Once again, do it correctly and buck those rivets....

Shacksman · 02-21-2009, 06:48 AM

Frank, it takes two to have a depate and I don't see anyone argueing against the fact that buck rivets are better only that olympic rivets have been used for over 20 years and I have not heard of any panel falling off because of their use.
I replaced 2 panels on mine and I used Buck rivets because I could. I use Olympics for repair jobs and patches where it's not practical to strip out the insides for bucking.

Inland RV Center, In · 02-21-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Now see what I told you all... it has become a rivet debate.

Okay for starters, the olympic rivets were approved in the early 1970's due to the work by some Airstream Insurance agents pushing for it.

Caravanner Insurance did not push for Olympics.

The fact is Dupont stopped making explosive rivets.

I personnaly called them and offered, on behalf of Airstream, to buy a couple of million of them, if possible.

Dupont said "NO". They are taking them off the market, period.

It was then necessary to find a satisfactory replacement.

Be as it may, the very first Olympics that we had, were not very good. They were short lived.

In short order then, the Olympic rivet as we know it today, was born.

It does work very well, when properly used. There's that "proper" word again.

Obviously, buck rivets are superior, but it's not always practical to use them.

Andy