[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #190

[Inlandrv@xxxxxxx]

OLYMPIC RIVETS.


Using olympic rivets "with washers" is foolish at best.

It's is nothing more than a "VERY SHORT TERM" method of replacing an exterior 
buck rivet, and "HOPE" is doesn't leak.

There are two inherent problems with the washer type olympic rivet. 

The first is that the neoprene washer will age out (the hotter the weather, 
the faster), plus the heat from the metal. When the washer is aged out, it will 
crack which gives you a nice water leak.

The second is that because of the washer barrier, the sheet metal "WILL NOT" 
hold together as tight as a washerless rivet or buck rivet.

Therefore we highly discourage the use of a washer type olympic rivet on any 
Airstream product.

Additionally, they cost more and ultimately, "FAIL."

If it takes more time to do the job "right" then so be it. Adding vulkem 
sealer underneath the head of a replacement olympic rivet, actually is superior to 
the original construction, in that each replaced rivet is sealed underneath 
the rivet head.

Hopefully, this ends the confusion and stops, in it's tracks, an illusion of 
using a superior part, when if fact it is "inferior." 

A washer type olympic rivet therefore is a stop gap and short lived method of 
repair.

Andy
Inland RV Center, Inc.
The worlds largest supplier of Airstream vintage parts.