Olympic rivets.

[ArtStream]

Hi,
I've picked-up some Olympic rivets at Airstream and noticed little black washers attached. I seem to remember reading something about removing/not-removing them?

I can't remember the thread and couldn't find it in search.

So, remove or not to remove, that is the question?


Thanks in advance,

Uric

[uwe]

Remove. Use Vulkem or Par Bond instead on the hole and rivet.
The rubber can deteriorate over time,a nd leave you with a loose and leaking rivet.

[ArtStream]

Thanks Uwe!

[Becky B.]

Speaking of rivets....My Airstream is missing one rivet on the outside. I have no idea how those kind of rivets are installed. I know how to do regular ones, but not the smooth ended kind (Olympic I'm assuming). Is there some kind of tutorial on this forum? Do you need special tools to install them? Should I just fill the one single missing rivet on my entire trailer with Parbond? (I don't think that's the answer) I'm in a quandry. Thanks

[uwe]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Speaking of rivets....My Airstream is missing one rivet on the outside. I have no idea how those kind of rivets are installed. I know how to do regular ones, but not the smooth ended kind (Olympic I'm assuming). Is there some kind of tutorial on this forum? Do you need special tools to install them?

Search for Olympic Rivet, there's lots of information on them. You can set these much like a pop rvet, only a hand rivet gun is needed. You can then cut off the rivet shaft the sticks out close to the rivet head, and smooth it over with a small file or a dremel tool to make it look like a bucked rivet. Put sealer in the rivet hole and a little on the rivet shaft to prevent water from entering the skin.

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Should I just fill the one single missing rivet on my entire trailer with Parbond? (I don't think that's the answer) I'm in a quandry. Thanks

For a temporary solution, that's a good idea.

[68 Overlander]

Uric,
I use the rivets with the neoprene washers and have for years. While I totally respect the method that has been advocated here since it got beat to death by the first thread about it years ago, I still prefer them. I have not had one leak, there is no mess, I don't live in Arizona, and don't plan to keep my Airstream for 40 years. Airstream uses them and recommends them.
I will admit I don't have 40 years experience with them. They are intended for exterior use. Everybody says they will leak, but nobody report leaks, they are just supposed to leak.
I promise to post if I'm here when they dry out to that point.
I'd love to talk about my other leaks that were sealed at the factory with Vulcem though.
The sealed method "probably" would last longer. I did see a guy put a bead of Vulkem around the windsheild of his Argosy motorhome and I knew he had lost his mind. He said he did it "while he was at it"

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 68 Overlander

Uric,
I use the rivets with the neoprene washers and have for years.

All neoprene washers or "O" rings, will leak in time.

Why spend the extra money, on a part that is not a permanent fix?

Andy

[Rog0525]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Is there some kind of tutorial on this forum?

Check this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...lation-23.html

[68 Overlander]

Thats a good link Rog. I remember when it was posted. I've had to use that technique when replacing a rivet next to a frame piece.

[Becky B.]

I guess I'll order a few Olympic rivets & give it a try. I'm a bit nervous about the smoothing of the head, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks. The link was a nice thing to see & I understand a bit better. Guess all I need is a sanding head for my dremel, since I'm not going to buy the shaver. Thanks again,
Becky

[68 Overlander]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

All neoprene washers or "O" rings, will leak in time.

Why spend the extra money, on a part that is not a permanent fix?

Andy

I don't mind being quoted but please quote my entire post next time. I just have had good luck with the washers and don't want to be told not to use them or where to spend my money. I said the better way was probably to use a sealer but I wanted to post my results if that is allowed. More importantly, I was talking to the person that started the thread.

[Killo1]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

All neoprene washers or "O" rings, will leak in time.

Why spend the extra money, on a part that is not a permanent fix?

Andy

It might be safe to say that everything will leak with enough time. And a permanent fix? That's kind of a joke for an RV
If AS were to use a better material for the "O" ring, an O ring would be quite suitable.

[uwe]

I believe that the O-ring is suitable for applications that are non critical, or where no no one really cares, in new construction, with perfectly drilled river holes, and for truck and trailer bodies etc.
Having restored 2 vintage Airstreams, I can say that "vintage" rivet holes aren't always perfect, and will swallow the little o-ring partially, leaving you with a leak, or a loose rivet.
So, do as you please, but keep in mind that if you don't remove the o-ring, and if you're not working on a non-descript truck body, be prepared to do the job over in a short while to stop leaks and loose rivets. This is not speculation....

[uwe]

Originally Posted by Killo1

It might be safe to say that everything will leak with enough time. And a permanent fix? That's kind of a joke for an RV
If AS were to use a better material for the "O" ring, an O ring would be quite suitable.

Well, my trailer is now 43 years old, and still has the original sealer on the rivets, does not leak from the seams yet....
No O-rings on my trailer, as far as I can tell.

[C Johnson]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

I guess I'll order a few Olympic rivets & give it a try. I'm a bit nervous about the smoothing of the head, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks. The link was a nice thing to see & I understand a bit better. Guess all I need is a sanding head for my dremel, since I'm not going to buy the shaver. Thanks again,
Becky

You'll get good at rivet shaving with a Dremel tool, trust me. My first few were awful but the more I did the better I got at it. After I do my polish job you won't know the difference.

[Dan@LED4RV]

Originally Posted by artlink

Hi,
I've picked-up some Olympic rivets at Airstream and noticed little black washers attached. I seem to remember reading something about removing/not-removing them?

I can't remember the thread and couldn't find it in search.

So, remove or not to remove, that is the question?


Thanks in advance,

Uric

It will make it leak if you remove them

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by fixer58

It will make it leak if you remove them

Not if you apply some Vulkem or Parbond sealer to the back side of the rivet head.

That is a better seal than the original construction.

It's "GUARANTEED" not to leak, "ever".

Any and all rubber or neoprene washers etc, have a limited life, depending on it's use at how much heat or sun that it has been exposed to.

Washers on Olympic rivets, are a "NO NO".

If you do use them, you will be and in time.

Guaranteed.

Andy

[scottanlily]

Andy and uwe are right ,don't use the washers ,all the 100s of rivits I have
purchased from inland Rv never had any black washer ,you will have maximum
strength without the seal .I don't know why those have a seal ,as it will
limit the rivits clamping ability .I have bought 3 or 4 100 rivit packs over the
last couple years ,no little seal.

Scott

[ArtStream]

WoW heated.
I have removed the o-rings and applied Parabond.
But now I'm short about 10 rivets, can anyone spare to sell 10-15

Michael

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by artlink

WoW heated.
I have removed the o-rings and applied Parabond.
But now I'm short about 10 rivets, can anyone spare to sell 10-15

Michael

You have an Airstream.

You will need rivets, many times.

Buy a bag of 100 for $20.00 and you will have some spares, "for the next time".

Andy