Blind Rivets and Gluvit

[Platypus E65]

I've got an 18' SSV Lund that leaks pretty good and I want to replace some rivets now and later on, seal it with some Gluvit, something I haven't done before. I was planning on ordering 1/4" blind rivets but, I don't know which length I should order. Which size would work better on a Lund aluminum hull?
I also noticed that there is an option to order steel or aluminum mandrels. which one would be better for an aluminum boat to be used on the sea?
As for Gluvit, how much would I need to seal the hull and do I need to apply a second coating? Would sealing just the bottom of the hull be good enough or do I need to seal both sides?
Thanks.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

Use the Gluvit on the inside only! Gluvit is a runny drippy mess on the outside of a hull and will need to be painted over if exposed to sunlight.

The .126-.250 grip range closed end blind rivets should do whatever you need to do.

The steel mandrel rivets are the strongest and you can seal the mandrel hole with a dab of marine epoxy or 3M 5200 to prevent rust.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

You can also find aluminum closed end blind rivets with SS mandrels.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

The 2 pound can of gluvit will be fine for a boat your size. Gluvit Epoxy Waterproof Sealer

Gluvit is primarily used inside the hull on the rivets and seams. Yes on occasion people use it ou the outside as a barrier coat for boats that are subjected to abrasions from river bottoms. If you have a spot where you use the gluvit be sure that you paint the gluvit after it is dry. It does not have UV protection and is affected by the Sun's rays.

Aluminum or Stainless steel rivets will work fine.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

Ayuh,.... I use the all aluminum rivets, 3/16"x 1/4" grab,... No problems,...

 

[Grandad]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

do I need to apply a second coating?

You won't need a second coat. Gluvit will seep into all the cracks with the consistency of heavy cream. The first coat will likely block seeping of a second coat, assuming a thorough first coat was applied. - Grandad

 

[Platypus E65]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge with me on this.
I couldn't find any blind rivets online that had reasonable shipping rates to rural AK. I was referred to an aircraft parts store in Anchorage where I specifically stated more than a few times I needed closed end blind rivets and below was what I received. Compared to the spec drawings I looked at from the online sites I'm going to guess that these are not closed end blind rivets. Am I right?
Plus they are 3/16' wide rather than 1/4".
Does anyone know of any sites that sell blind rivets that have the option of shipping using USPS Priority Mail to AK?

What is generally used to coat Gluvit on boats? Paintbrushes?

Thanks again.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

Does anyone know of any sites that sell blind rivets that have the option of shipping using USPS Priority Mail to AK?

Sorry, I don't have any specific help for you, but I'd caution you about your use of terms when ordering. I think what you are looking for in your question above is closed end, blind rivets. It looks like you have received blind rivets, but they're not closed end.
Yes, a cheap throwaway paintbrush will work.
- Grandad

 

[Platypus E65]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

Sorry, I don't have any specific help for you, but I'd caution you about your use of terms when ordering. I think what you are looking for in your question above is closed end, blind rivets. It looks like you have received blind rivets, but they're not closed end. - Grandad

Thank you, Grandad. I did specify multiple times when I was ordering that I need "closed end blind rivets". I even asked before giving him my CC # if the opposite side of the mandrel would not have a hole when they were installed on the hull of my boat and he said "yes".

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

Don't know if you've checked these places, but here they are...
Blind Rivets | Rivets In Stock - Rivets & Rivet Tools
A Better Service To Riveters : Hanson Rivet
Rivets by Jay-Cee | Rivets In Stock - Rivets & Rivet Tools
Grainger Industrial Supply - MRO Supplies, MRO Equipment, Tools & Solutions
Don't know if any of them ship to AK, but you can email and ask...

 

[tintug]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

McMaster-Carr.com....I have ordered a lot of things through them. They have a great customer service dept. too. they will get ya what ya need and quick too.

 

[ZachDean]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

I think that those actually are a form of closed end blind rivets. They are just better engineered due to being aircraft grade. If the mandrel will suck up with a normal rivet gun I'd say use them.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

These look like blind rivets ^^^^

Not closed end blind rivets:

I'm not a rivet expert, so the rivets you have might be water tight, and some sort of a closed end rivet, but where are you using them? Below the water line, I'd get REAL closed end blind rivets, that you KNOW are closed end.

If the ones you've already got have ANY #'s or codes on them (or UPC/SKU on the receipt) you might try looking them up w/ the vendor name that's probably on the packaging somewhere.

GT's got you covered, and they wouldn't be my 1st choice, but Fastenall may be able to get closed end blind rivets.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

.

Those are structural open end blind rivets, and although they're very strong... they're not waterproof (or vapor proof) like the closed end blind rivets.

The aircraft parts store that sold you these rivets should have the closed end blind rivets, I think they just gave you the wrong rivets. You may want to go back there and try again, but look at the rivets before you pay for them this time.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Blind Rivets and Gluvit

Your structural aircraft rivets:


Closed end blind rivets:




As you can see, the retainer on the structural rivets is exposed, but on the closed end blind rivets it's completely encapsulated by the body of the rivet. The CEBR looks like a plug or a barrel with no exposed moving parts below the head of the rivet, this is what makes it waterproof.

The structural rivets may not leak at first, and you can try coating them with something... but Murphy's law says they will leak eventually, usually when it's the most inconvenient time.