Screw holes, rivet holes and big holes....tin boat swiss cheese repair help needed

[Michelle43]

Hey folks, my 1984 Sea Nymph Ski Sport looks like it's been owned by 100 different fisherman who put a 1000 holes of all shapes and sizes on the interior of the gunwale and tops of the splash well. I'd like to use some aluminum screen as a backing and then use JB Weld over the hole so my boat doesn't look so cheesy.....swiss cheesy.

Anyone have any advice if this approach would work? For the larger holes I was thinking of riveting a piece of aluminum underneath and using the same approach with the JB Weld on top to cover the hole. I don't want to just put in rivets/SS screws because the end product would look awful and make attaching new accessories a pain.

Will this work? Is there a better way?

Thanks!

 

[CraigBarnard]

I have had some sucess with this.

https://www.alumiweld.com/

 

[jbcurt00]

I have had some sucess with this.

https://www.alumiweld.com/

You're the only 1 thats posted it here that it was successful.. More then 1 did admit they though user error was a contributing factor.

Michelle, you could ask this in your boat repair topic, rather then a new topic.

As w there, pix are always helpful and often get more replies...

Back butter an aluminum patch plate behind the holes, and fill w JB WaterWeld or MarineTex. JB is a bear to sand, MT much easier.

 

[CraigBarnard]

No Title

You're the only 1 thats posted it here that it was successful.. More then 1 did admit they though user error was a contributing factor. Michelle, you could ask this in your boat repair topic, rather then a new topic. As w there, pix are always helpful and often get more replies... Back butter an aluminum patch plate behind the holes, and fill w JB WaterWeld or MarineTex. JB is a bear to sand, MT much easier.

Yes I have had some success. Smaller holes are a piece of cake. Larger ones more tricky. Makes a true solid metal repair or you could cobble it together with patches and goop as previously suggested.

 

[jbcurt00]

What gas/torch did you use? MAPP?

 

[CraigBarnard]

No Title

What gas/torch did you use? MAPP?

Yes MAPP . Similar to this one.
It does take some practice on a pop can.

 

[someone11]

Not sure if what I did was the correct way but it seems to be working so far. I just used tape as backing for large holes and filled them with marine Tex. Whatever side I wanted the smoothest got taped.

 

[Michelle43]

Thanks for all the advice! I think I will use a combination of your ideas due to the amount of holes and access.

CraigBarnard - I will definitely continue to post in my boat restore post moving forward....thanks again guys. Now, if the rain would just stop for a couple days I could actually work on my boat.

 

[gm280]

What about having them TIG welded? That would not only fill in any hole, but be solid and permanent as well. And if you buffed the weld down and feathered into the hull, they wouldn't be noticeable as well. Just a thought.