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03-27-2016, 12:00 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
1970 31' Sovereign
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
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Patching over dents...What do you think?
Hi all,
I am debating what to do with some dents on my 1970 sovereign that I purchased a few months back.
This trailer was rescued from a deer lease by PO and she wasn't treated very kindly. Looks like they hit a tree or two. The worst section is curbside adjacent to door. It's creased so I don't think it'd be able to be pulled. My inclination is to put a really large patch on it, maybe in the shape of a star. It's either that, or live with it or replace entire panel.
So I'm curious what it would cost to replace entire panel and also if anyone thinks putting a unique patch over it would be a really bad idea.
Thoughts? 
1970 Sovereign 31'
This trailer is so metal \m/
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03-27-2016, 01:02 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1975 Argosy 28
Springville
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 836
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The skins would run from front to back. Its a major project but in my opinion it's easier that a shell off floor replacement. Personally patch it with a patch that means something to you. I patched my corner wraps both had creases and rips. One with the state of alabama and the other Texas. I was going to use louisanna but it wasn't big enough hence tx. I lived in all those states so it's personal to me! It's cheaper and adds character. Go for it. U can always replace it later.
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Matt
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03-27-2016, 01:09 PM
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#3
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Moderator

1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,280
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__________________
Stephanie
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03-27-2016, 01:13 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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It would be a big patch. Honestly, I would just leave it alone and live with it. It is not all that terrible. To replace the entire panel would be a very large job too.
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03-27-2016, 06:26 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member 
1970 31' Sovereign
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
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Thanks all. I'm glad no one said "noooooo!" to doing a patch because even if it's a big one, my creative tendencies point me in that direction. I don't think I'll be happy trying to ignore it. Also, thanks for the patch thread, good stuff. I'll be sure to post pics!
1970 Sovereign 31'
This trailer is so metal \m/
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03-27-2016, 07:34 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Either patch it up or come up with a really good story how it happened.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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03-27-2016, 07:55 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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I would think about cutting out the affected area, sectioning in a new piece of aluminum, and then throw a cool patch over the repair to add character.
It is going to be super hard if not impossible to get a patch to lay even close to smooth over the dent.
Superat stultitia.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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03-27-2016, 09:03 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan
I would think about cutting out the affected area, sectioning in a new piece of aluminum, and then throw a cool patch over the repair to add character.
It is going to be super hard if not impossible to get a patch to lay even close to smooth over the dent.
Superat stultitia.
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I agree Morgan. Highly unlikely a patch will lie smoothly over that. On the other hand, you could minimize some of the wrinkles by pulling it with suction, but the creases are there forever. So why not at least consider doing some vinyl ART - maybe a picture of the Alamo, or the Texas State flag starting at the door and going back "waving in the breeze" to cover part of the window behind the door. When they do bus window overlays there are a bunch of small holes put into the vinyl that covers the window so you can still see out.
Of course I've seen a few Airstreams with WWII "nose art" borrowed from fighter planes - including the Flying Tigers, etc. One member here had his wife do a WWII pinup girl pose and put it on his rock guard. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Paula
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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03-27-2016, 09:29 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member 
1970 31' Sovereign
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
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Love the creative ideas! Morgan, I was worrying about the same thing. Was thinking if there were gaps that I couldn't get closed with sealant, that I'd make sure water was able to escape from the bottom. Cutting it out, repairing then patching sounds like a viable idea.
1970 Sovereign 31'
This trailer is so metal \m/
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03-28-2016, 12:05 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member 
1995 21' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
Daphne
, Alabama
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 84
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My 2c's worth. Leave what is there. pull it out as flat as possible for under support. Knock down high spots. make large patch that will reach the underskin supports / Ribs. Grind off existing rivet tops only. So you can put patch over Ribs . All outer edges will be riveted to under ribs. Where rivets exist place marks so you can rivet in-between existing rivets... Without cutting you get no areas for water to leak in. Guys at the last AS lunch told me about this trick. If I ever get some storage inside,Around Castle Rock, CO., to work on my 1995 23' Sovereign I will follow their advice also.
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03-28-2016, 12:23 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member 
1995 21' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
Daphne
, Alabama
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 84
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Here is puller I used on my AS.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-One-Set-...230359&vxp=mtr
Enables me to make smaller patch's
Looking at your wrinkles You could make a Large T with a thick trunk. Are you a Texas Tech Fan? T t the space between door and window up to the Awning rib.
Best of luck send pictures.
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03-28-2016, 12:31 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master 

1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
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I think smaller patches look ok, but anything that big...maybe not. You could cut out a section from just above the rivet lines, and put a new skin over the hole. Two rivet lines near each other would not look too bad.
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03-28-2016, 12:38 PM
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#13
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Moderator

1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjansen
Without cutting you get no areas for water to leak in.
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I think that is a key point. If the metal that's there is solid, leave it there and patch over it. The way the skins are installed encourages water to run off, but a patch will create a lip where water could eventually go under, and if you remove the damaged skin under it, the water will get in.
__________________
Stephanie
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03-28-2016, 06:30 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member 
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Hahira
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 179
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The Ford truck body guys should be getting up to speed on this stuff by now.
__________________
From my Pecan Tree
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03-28-2016, 09:31 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member 
1970 31' Sovereign
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjansen
My 2c's worth. Leave what is there. pull it out as flat as possible for under support. Knock down high spots. make large patch that will reach the underskin supports / Ribs. Grind off existing rivet tops only. So you can put patch over Ribs . All outer edges will be riveted to under ribs. Where rivets exist place marks so you can rivet in-between existing rivets... Without cutting you get no areas for water to leak in. Guys at the last AS lunch told me about this trick. If I ever get some storage inside,Around Castle Rock, CO., to work on my 1995 23' Sovereign I will follow their advice also.
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Thanks for sharing this, really great information!
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03-28-2016, 09:36 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member 
1970 31' Sovereign
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
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I agree that it seems safer to not make any cuts and hence more places for water to get it. I am still leaning towards a big star as a patch. In my head it'll look really cool.......
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03-29-2016, 12:57 AM
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#17
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Moderator

1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,280
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You could always mock it up on the computer first. Either way, if YOU think it's cool, that's the important part. I love the way AS become unique to their owners. Every one of them is different! Enjoy making it your own.
__________________
Stephanie
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03-29-2016, 06:19 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master 

1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
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Vulkem sealant is the key to keep it water tight...also
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03-29-2016, 07:21 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master 
1975 Argosy 28
Springville
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 836
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Or sikaflex
__________________
Matt
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03-29-2016, 09:39 AM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member 
1970 31' Sovereign
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
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Thanks Stefrobrts for the vote of confidence!
Have vulkem and ready to go.(Soon)
1970 Sovereign 31'
This trailer is so metal \m/
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