How to rivet original aluminum "bulkhead molding"

[PA BAMBI II]

Starting to reinstall walls in the Bambi II. Several were held in place with what VTS calls "bulkhead molding:

Bulkhead Moulding

The original moldings were more of a T shape and there is very little shoulder to rivet to the trailer. I guess the biggest issue is getting the nose of the pop rivet gun down onto the shoulder because of the actual extrusion that holds the wall. Is there a way to do this, or should I just screw this trim to the wall?

That is what I have done so far, but I know that rivets have superior holding power.

Thanks- Ben

[Airline]

Hi Ben

on my '72 Ambassador,they are screwed ,not rivited.I bought some nice stainless screws after polishing the moulding.

hope this helps !

[reinergirl]

When we did this on my sisters trailer, I made little wedges out of aluminum. That and bending the pin helped. As did buying a Sears riveter that had a smaller head. It's doable with rivets! I'd worry about screws working loose.....

My sis wrote about it here;

The Midllife Crisis - 1960 Airstream Restoration: November 2011

[Silverflames]

Yep I used rivets as well on my 69 ambassador.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[surfpod]

I tried this method with some success. A PITA!! Gone through a few rivet guns, too!