interior rivets fell out. Is this a DIY item?

[cantdrv55]

Have you replaced rivets before? Two interior rivets fell out and I'm thinking I can replace them myself but was wondering if it's a DIY item. Does anyone know the rivet size? Where'd you buy your rivet gun? Thanks!

[Wayne&Sam]

Yes it's DIY. 1/8" diameter, 1/4" grip, all aluminum rivets is what I use. Any hardware store will have a rivet gun.

[KJRitchie]

Aren't interior rivet heads smooth shaped? How do you finish off the rivet head to make it look factory installed?

Kelvin

[Becky B.]

The interior rivets are standard 1/8" rivets. The exception is in pre 70's trailer that have bucket rivets along the end caps ( like what's on the outside if your trailer). If you need to replace this style of rivet, you would use an Olympic rivet & finish off the end either with a dremel, or a rivet shaver.

[HowieE]

If the original rivets were painted you may want to replace with like material. Some hardware stores may have painted rivets but if push comes to shove Airstream sells them about 25 to a bag.

[kdickinson]

If the rivet has a hole in the center then it's a pop rivet. Easy to fix. I carry spare rivets with me as well as pivot head rivet gun. If it's smooth topped then it is not a DIY job ((at least for me) because it requires special tools and skills. Regardless I would just use a pop rivet, fill and smooth the hole with filler and move on.

[the joe]

If you need coloured revit what I do is stick a few or as many as needed into a pcs of cardboard ,spray paint colour needed let dry and use

[cantdrv55]

Going to buy rivets tomorrow. Thanks everyone. Happy New Year!

[PecanMan5]

I have 3 that no longer line up correctly. That will be a Jackson job.

[jvmang]

I own a 1995 34 foot classic limited which my wife and I bought new in 1995. Regarding the rivet comment I purchase rivets, a rivet gun and rivet head shaver from Byler Rivet Supply in Texas. If you are interested their tele. Number is 972-986-6792. I have had to replace several rivets on my unit and with the shaver they look like the factory installed them. Airstream wanted a small fortune for the rivet head shaver so I went looking for an alternative supplier. I have really enjoyed reading these forums. Hope everyone has a great 2016. JRM

[Lumatic]

The larger question why did they fall out? It can be a case of bad axles, out of balance running gear, road shock from the tow vehicle or sloppy factory work. What year is your Airstream? What do you use for a tow vehicle?

Standard blind rivets are used in the interior. The outer skin panels have bucked rivets. I have never seen bucked rivets inside the couch. If you want a blind rivet that has a finished round head like bucked rivets use Olympic rivets.

[DreamStreamr]

Why did they fall out? They broke from all the movement between the surfaces contacted by the pop rivet. We replace eight to ten yearly in our 2005 CCD25 International. Right now we have four gone. Waiting for four more before we get out the pop rivet gun.

Almost always we can use a 1/8" pin punch to clean the hole for the new rivet. Every rare now and then, one won't line up and we run a 1/8" drill bit through carefully and with a very firm grip to keep the bit from pulling in.

But these and Olympic rivets (for exterior stuff) at Airstream in Jackson Center. They bag them from huge bulk and pricing has usually been far below anywhere else I've bought them. If Olympic rivets outside, I use my Dremel® tool to trim and polish it. Pretty good match. Friends have a rivet grinder but timing just hasn't worked out yet.