Enclosure aluminum rivets?

[mleads310]

I have a 282 sailfish and while doing maintenance I noticed 2 of the "rivets" that hold the track for the vinyl enclosure had popped or broke off from the aluminum hardtop piping. Anyone have an idea on how to fix this?

 

[Pighunter]

Can you drill them out out and buy a rivet gun and pop in new rivets?

 

[glacierbaze]

That’s a clean looking hole, are you sure there was one there. Sometimes the rails come predrilled. Pop rivets are an easy and convenient fastener.

 

[mleads310]

There were definitely rivets there beforehand. Not sure how they popped out but two of them did and noticed my portside vinyl flopping around up top.

I've pretty handy but never used a rivet gun, let alone one for aluminum? Any pointers are appreciated.

 

[glacierbaze]

The tool is the same, the only difference is whether you buy aluminum, stainless, or some other material for the rivets. The rivets come in different lengths, and diameters, for the business end, and different shaft sizes for the larger rivets. You will want aluminum rivets, and 1/4 or 5/16 length. The tool will probably have three interchangeable tips, which screw into the end of the tool to accommodate the different shaft sizes.
Use a drill bit to determine the hole size, and buy that diameter rivet. Put a rivet all the way into the gun, push it firmly through both pieces, and when it is seated start squeezing the handles until the rivet pops off, keeping the tip firmly pressed against the work.

 

[mleads310]

Thank you for the advice and info!. I just purchased this one that comes with aluminum rivets of all sizes. Worsted case scenario I open up the hole a bit to fit the rivet size.

 

[Fishtales]

Should go in very easy. Prob a 1/8" hole. Should take all of 5 min with the gun.

 

[mleads310]

Thank you everyone, I'll post an update in a few days.

 

[glacierbaze]

Pop rivets are often used where the backside is inaccessible, as inside your hardtop frame. If you ever need to remove one, use a 1/4 inch drill bit, and drill into the center of the rivet until the rim pops off, and you can push the rivet on through.

 

[mleads310]

Just wanted to update and say thanks. It was the easiest fix I've come across in while. Like you said. Get the tool, use aluminum rivet. Simple. Worked like a charm!

 

[PointedRose]

Just wanted to update and say thanks. It was the easiest fix I've come across in while. Like you said. Get the tool, use aluminum rivet. Simple. Worked like a charm!

You can get stainless rivets if the aluminum don’t hold. Can always drill out and go slightly bigger. The rivet should be snug going in. Stainless rivets- you might need a better quality rivet gun and smear tefgel between dissimilar metals to prevent galvanic corrosion. Aluminum on aluminum should be fine.