Outer Skin Leak 63 Safari

[srgntpepper]

Hello all just looking for some tips on the proper method of resealing the outer skin. I have a leak in one of the seams above the front window. Is it best to remove all the rivets in the seam at once, and re Vulcum or One rivet at a time??? Thanks for any info. Don

[59toaster]

There was a post in the forums about a vulchem type product that is thin enough to wick into a seam.

The problem I see with taking loose rivets is your goint to have to take them out the whole leangth of the seam to seal it. I would replace any loose rivets you find but taking them loose I would only do as a last resort.

Remember that with the inner and outer skin that water can travel a long way before becoming visible on the inside. Just because you see water on an inner seam don't assume it is the seam directly above on the outer skin that is the sorce. You could have a leak at any seam above that point and even some a little below on the outside that is wicking through the insulation.

[greg176]

The way we find the source of a leak in an aircraft fuel tank is to blow compressed air on outside where leak shows and have someone else inside spraying soapy water to find source. You could do same to find leak in your Airstream.

[srgntpepper]

hey guys thanks for the info but I have already determined exactly where the leak is using a dye test now all i need to know is the proper method for repair. It would be no problem to replace all the rivets in the as it is one of the small seams above the front window only about 28 inches long. Thanks Don

[Cat]

It is so late that I'm apt to making bouqous errors... I came on just to say that

>>I just got the 100 feet of 'RUBRAIL' blue vinylclad...from Inland
RV...and took off the rockguard to prepare the area under
it...There..now visible is a real MESS to the connection to the
skin.
I am taking a photo of it to upload here in the next couple of
weeks. The area of the mess is where the rockguards 'clip' to
the 'fuselage'. Little black circles of hard rubber with 2 little
wings that rivet the black circles to receive the 'clip'..? The
previous owner has GUNKED UP a whole MESS of BONDO...and scared as I
am to find out what 'he' was trying to 'fill'..I know that whatever
is there...my repair will be a darn site better than 'his'.

Any suggestions?
BTW..I have all the 'endcaps' off and the tracks cleared for the
rubrail to be installed. This is going to be fun! and rewarding!
then, after it's done...I have to fix the rockguard MESS

.....Any questions to MAKE ME THINK, or suggestions will be
appreciated.
........Cat

P.s....and then
I read where some of you are looking for that "WICKING' exterior sealant.... It was ME that posted it. It's a sealant made by ALCOA Aluminum...and since it is pure aluminum, it is a "HAZ-MAT" product and no one will transport it unless they have that license (DOT)...and UPS, FED EX, etc. do not. What to do.? Well, I drove 120 miles round trip to buy 3 tubes of it. Worth it totally. Send me a Private Email on here...and I'll send you the info right off the tube.
I also have 2 tubes of the stuff Andy sells at Inland RV that are coming with the Vinyl Clad. Maybe that stuff will "Wick". I wouldn't want to use anything except the Alcoa stuff where I don't want it to show. You cannot make it go UP---(under windows/trim/etc.)...so there Vulchem is probably better.
...
Any help with the RockGuard Mess...remmeber?
.........g'morning...
.................Cat

[Cat]

I'm really sleepy...and didn't think my post would also include a note (re a previous post about the sealant.)...so I had to add that.
HElP FROM me: The "wicking" sealant is an Alcoa product. It was me that posted about it. I still have a tube. Private Message me if you need the info off the label.
HELP FOR me:
I just got the 100 feet of 'RUBRAIL' blue vinylclad...from Inland
RV...and took off the rockguard to prepare the area under
it...There..now visible is a real MESS to the connection to the
skin.
I am taking a photo of it to upload here in the next couple of
weeks. The area of the mess is where the rockguards 'clip' to
the 'fuselage'. Little black circles of hard rubber with 2 little
wings that rivet the black circles to receive the 'clip'..? The
previous owner has GUNKED UP a whole MESS of BONDO...and scared as I
am to find out what 'he' was trying to 'fill'..I know that whatever
is there...my repair will be a darn site better than 'his'.

Any suggestions?
BTW..I have all the 'endcaps' off and the tracks cleared for the
rubrail to be installed. This is going to be fun! and rewarding!
then, after it's done...I have to fix the rockguard MESS

.....Any questions to MAKE ME THINK, or suggestions will be
appreciated.
........Cat