Quote:
Originally Posted by swhird
I still need to find the black silicon like substance that they covered the rivets with at the factory... It is ridiculously strong; I'll look at the "Fix-All" that the good Dr. recommended. And also re-seal the edge of the trim piece with caulk.
|
As others will tell you,The black stuff from the factory probably isn't silicone because silicone and
fiberglass are not friends. I've seen a black thick tape used to seal joints such as between a heater or AC cowling and the firewall of a car. It's kind of tar like, and very strong and tacky. Try the auto body section of a large auto parts store.
Caulk is kind of a generic term, and a lot of it you buy at the big box stores contains silicone. The preferred stuff for
fiberglass fixtures is butyl tape, which can be used like a putty behind fixtures such as trim pieces, window frames, and door hinges. Butyl requires more effort because you can't just stick it on top. People like silicone sealants because they can just dab it on, but the marriage between silicone and fiberglass doesn't last long.
The Fix-All is great to seal that tiny hole in the rivet. Surprisingly, it can be found at Dollar Stores. The first time I used it was in about 1975 to emergency seal a pinhole in a gas tank. You do what you gotta do.
On the rivets of your trailer it should last for many years, but if you're like me, a re-application once a year or so is quick and easy, just for insurance.
When I bought my 1975
Scamp a couple of years ago I had a tiny leak at one of the roof rivets. A dab of Fix-All and everything is dry.
Of course, as Alexander said, the closed-end rivets are the best permanent insurance, but I'm not ready to replace mine. I noticed on the
Scamp parts website that the photos of the rivets they sell don't appear to be the closed-end kind. Interesting.
I hope this is helpful.
--Harold