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Old 02-03-2021, 09:45 AM   #1
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2014 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Glen Arbor , Michigan
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Stainless Steel Rivets?

I have two stubborn rivet locations that break the aluminum rivets. Any downside to trying a stainless steel rivet of equal size?
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Old 02-03-2021, 09:54 AM   #2
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Nope. I've done the same inside a cabinet. As you probably already know, it will be slightly more shiny than the aluminum rivet. But only you will ever notice. Vinnie, of Vinnies North Bay Airstream Repair suggested this approach for difficult rivets.
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Old 02-03-2021, 10:00 AM   #3
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Inside, no issue. Outside or exposed to dampness? Don't do it. Instead look for an stronger aluminum alloy. The stainless will promote corrosion do to different ionization potentials.
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Old 02-03-2021, 01:25 PM   #4
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Thanks very much. On to Stainless I go.
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Old 02-03-2021, 08:50 PM   #5
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This may sound a bit strange, but to help mitigate the potential corrosion between the two dissimilar metals, before using the rivet you can pierce a small piece of electrical or other tape as a small buffer between the rivet head and the Al sheet you are riveting. Afterwords if any tape is showing around the edges of the rivet, you can carefully trim away using an X-Acto knife.

This will provide you the strength of the steel rivet, while keeping any contact corrosion at bay.
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Old 02-03-2021, 09:24 PM   #6
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I had one place where an interior rivet failed two or three times. I went "overkill" on it and replaced it with the next size up, and added additional (large) rivets on either side of it.
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