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Pectus 
New Orleans Saints Fan
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Member since Apr 2010
38691 posts
| Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:14 am)
I wonder if anyone on here has experience with patching small holes and sealing around rivets in an aluminum watercraft. I am looking for the best fix method for cost and lack of marine tools/shop to do it with/in.
I have a 30-year-old aluminum canoe that spent the majority of its life exposed to salty air and brought in and out of brackish to salty water, which it would be rinsed off afterwards. Despite proper care, over time it has succumbed to the elements.
I recently acquired the canoe. The boat itself is fine, there are just two slow leaks that the placement of a sponge or two in the hull can stop on a short paddle, and there are some holes that have since been opened up and made jagged due to oxidation and stripping. Both these problems cause leaks.
I am just wondering if any of you guys have any advice for me.
Thanks in advance.
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NYCAuburn 
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| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:20 am to Pectus)
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Pectus
New Orleans Saints Fan
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
38691 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:25 am to NYCAuburn)
Can I get it in aluminum color? 
I'd rather use something made for marine usage.
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wickowick 
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Member since Dec 2006
12748 posts
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| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:29 am to Pectus)
Are the rivets real loose? Leaks all over or in a couple of places?
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NYCAuburn
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| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:29 am to Pectus)
have you tried any of the 3m stuff? 5200, 4200, 4000 etc...
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Pectus
New Orleans Saints Fan
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
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| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:40 am to wickowick)
quote:
Are the rivets real loose? Leaks all over or in a couple of places?
Rivets are not loose. It leaks out from under 2 ribs in the canoe.
Also, the skeg is what has the holes on it. the two pieces that make up the walls of the canoe meet there and there is a strip that joins them. The holes are on that. I've never seen any water come out of them, but I would like to take care of it to prevent any future problems.
quote:
have you tried any of the 3m stuff? 5200, 4200, 4000 etc...
I've looked into it and was researching it. I might want something that is aluminum-based so that it will last and be as resilient as the boat itself. I do realize I am then getting into work that I can't do from the parking lot. Maybe.
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DownshiftAndFloorIt
LSU Fan
The devil dreams on an idle horse
Member since Jan 2011
30404 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:42 am to Pectus)
JB weld is the redneck way to do it.
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Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:48 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt)
There are aluminum patch things that come in a tube. I have used them before with no problems. It has, I guess aluminum powder, encircling some catalyst. Mix them and wait an hour and you can grind on it.
They have them at West Marine
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Capt ST
LSU Fan
EM-50 Project
Member since Aug 2011
3313 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:01 am to Pectus)
quote:
have you tried any of the 3m stuff? 5200, 4200, 4000 etc...
I can assure you 5200 will get the job done. It sounds like electrolysis is occurring. If its pin holes in what looks like corrosion probably the case. Another thing, don't store it on the new treated timber, it eats right thru.
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TigerTaco
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Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2011
119 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:08 am to Pectus)
I've replaced loose/leaking rivets before. If the rivet isn't deteriorated, you can easily tighten it. All you need to do is have someone hold a sledge on one side of the rivet while you peen over the other side. If needed, you can drill out the rivet to replace it. I bought replacement rivets at Grainger. Tinboats.net has a lot of info on working on aluminum boats.
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JAB528
LSU Fan
Member since Jun 2012
11162 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:08 am to Pectus)
JB weld
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Pectus
New Orleans Saints Fan
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
38691 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:21 am to Hammertime)
quote:
There are aluminum patch things that come in a tube. I have used them before with no problems. It has, I guess aluminum powder, encircling some catalyst. Mix them and wait an hour and you can grind on it.
They have them at West Marine
Sweet. This sounds like it could be the stuff! 
And there was corrosion due to electrolysis. The weird thing is, it didn't occur anywhere that it was in contact with the ground.
This post was edited on 2/11 at 9:22 am
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Mung
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Member since Aug 2007
2550 posts
Online
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:41 am to Pectus)
flex seal then paint over it if the color offends you. i have an old Richline canoe that has the same issues.
This post was edited on 2/11 at 10:04 am
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Knuckle Child
Member since Feb 2013
159 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:46 am to Pectus)
I would say weld over the rivets, but in a canoe that's probably not necessary. I patched a few holes in my aluminum boat with some marine grade silicone from the hardware store. It worked well and has held up for a few years now
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Flamefighter 
Duke Fan
Box Stand
Member since Dec 2007
6165 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:46 am to Capt ST)
I've used duct tape before needless to say it wasnt one of my brightest moments!
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ktc227992
LSU Fan
Member since Nov 2011
78 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:50 am to Flamefighter)
I used j b weld once it worked!
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Pectus
New Orleans Saints Fan
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
38691 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:59 am to Knuckle Child)
quote:
I would say weld over the rivets, but in a canoe that's probably not necessary. I patched a few holes in my aluminum boat with some marine grade silicone from the hardware store. It worked well and has held up for a few years now
That is the most permanent option, however it also adds a lot of weight to the boat.
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HeadBusta4LSU
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2007
8893 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 11:07 am to Pectus)
I was going to start another thread for my OB product test of the almighty Flex Seal but this thread will do. I have a very leaky aluminum boat. All the rivets leak and I also had a small hole about the size of pencil lead.
I started off by wire wheeling all the rivets
Then I sprayed flex seal around all the rivets and used JB weld on the small hole
I then coated the entire bottom with roll on bed liner that can be bought from autozone or Wally world.
I'm very satisfied with the finished product. The boat no longer leaks and it looks great. Before I would have to run the bilge every 15 minutes or I would sink. Now no water.
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AlxTgr
LSU Fan
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
27775 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 11:16 am to HeadBusta4LSU)
quote:
HeadBusta4LSU
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faxis
LSU Fan
La.
Member since Oct 2007
6548 posts
| re: Patching small holes and leaky rivets in an aluminum watercraft (Posted on 2/11/13 at 11:20 am to AlxTgr)
Lots of ways to do it. But don't have any doubts about 5200. When that boat finally corrodes to dust the 5200 will still be there. That shit's indestructible. Just don't get it on anything you don't want it on because it will never come off.
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