how would you fix this?

[Becky B.]

I removed the CB bracket that the PO installed. Underneath were these holes (must have missed the first time). I planned on putting in Olympic Rivets in the holes, but these are so close together that I think they'll overlap one another. How would this repair be done properly? Maybe fill one hole w/Vulkem & put the rivet in the other? Expert advise needed! Thanks in advance.

[flyfshr]

In the past, I've needed to fill a few holes in my TradeWind similar to what you're describing here and one was along a rib. One of the three collapsing legs on the stem of the Olympic would have been in the way. I cut off one of these before installing and it went in just fine. In your instance, I would install the top ones as the full Olympics and remove one of the legs on the bottom row of holes.

Good luck and be sure to use plenty of Vulkem.

Brad
FF

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

I removed the CB bracket that the PO installed. Underneath were these holes (must have missed the first time). I planned on putting in Olympic Rivets in the holes, but these are so close together that I think they'll overlap one another. How would this repair be done properly? Maybe fill one hole w/Vulkem & put the rivet in the other? Expert advise needed! Thanks in advance.

Those holes are to large for olympic rivets.

You could seal the holes with vulkem, and cover those two areas with a small metal plates, using olympic rivets.

Andy

[Becky B.]

Actually, Andy, I just ran outside w/an Olympic Rivet & the holes are too small for them. I'd have to drill them larger to fit an Olympic Rivet in them.

[10brink]

Andy, I'm new to A/S trailers (or any trailers). I have used the search function, but need information on olympic rivits and "rivit shavers". I've seen that tool mentioned, but no info on how to use it ar what it does. How does the top of the rivit stay round and polished?

[flitzwhopper]

Does any ever use TIG for holes like that? A qualified welding shop would make quick work of filling the holes and the owner could carefully finish the work with a dremel tool? My friends who restore aluminum bodied cars use this process routinely.

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Those holes are to large for olympic rivets.

You could seal the holes with vulkem, and cover those two areas with a small metal plates, using olympic rivets.

Andy

Andy-
When you say metal plates, what are you refering to?
In my opinion, patching over the area with a sheet of aluminum would look really bad! While in the process of restoring our 1960 Trade Wind we have come across this problem in several areas and I think filling the holes with rivits always looks so much better. Patch jobs are for amatures!

[Becky B.]

Rick,

Did you take care of the problem like flyfshr did? I don't think I want to go the plate route either.

[thecatsandi]

With out some sort of backing plate you will likely get cracking over time. The bracket was the backing plate.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Rick,

Did you take care of the problem like flyfshr did? I don't think I want to go the plate route either.

Becky.

Sorry, from your photo it looked like the holes were too large.

Certainly, then, you can use olympic rivets.

Enlarge the holes witha #21 drill bit.

Add a little vulkem to the stem of the rivets, then insert it into the hole.

After you pull the rivet stem, some vulken should come out from under the rivet head.

That's a good thing.

Clean up the excess vulkem with a little gasolene or even rubbing alcohol.

Andy

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by 10brink

I have used the search function, but need information on olympic rivits and "rivit shavers". I've seen that tool mentioned, but no info on how to use it ar what it does. How does the top of the rivit stay round and polished?

Try searching using Rivet instead of Rivit...you should find the info you are looking for ~

Shari

[10brink]

Shari, Sorry. Can't spell without spell check any more!

[safari57]

Depending on where the bracket was mounted, once the repair is complete is this an area where a decal, plaque, name tag or light would be appropriate if you don't like the appearance?

On one Airstream I looked at they had a name tag done up nicely by a trophy shop and they volunteered to replace it with one with our names on it if we bought the trailer. Turned out they'd punched a hole there and done a reasonable repair but it was always bothersome to them when ever they saw it. They did the name plate and it "worked" in that situation. We did not buy it but I did see it some time later and the new owners had put a light there instead and that worked even better. They paired it up with one on the opposite side so it did not look out of place.

Barry