exposed interior rivets

haakebecks · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:43 pm Post subject: exposed interior rivets

So, on this Venture 26 we just bought, I noticed that literally all of the rivets attaching the rub rail to the boat were exposed. I know that in every other C-Dory I have seen, these have been either glassed over and/or covered with epoxy. I am assuming that leaving these exposed is just asking for problems.

What is the best solution for covering them up? Just mix up some epoxy and slather it on? Use a glass patch then epoxy/epoxy paint over it?

Should I just leave it be?

Sunbeam · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: exposed interior rivets

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:39 pm Post subject:

Many have had an epoxy build up over the rivet. I would get some of the semi solid epoxy sticks, which are in two parts, --in a light color if possible, then cut off small pieces and mold them around the exposed rivet. You can spray on some paint if you wish. I would grind off the glass with a small dremel tool around the rivet to get a better adherence.

haakebecks · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:46 pm Post subject:

Bob, where do I find those epoxy sticks? Someplace like West Marine?

thataway · Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:21 pm Post subject:

Home depot or Lowes will have the epoxy sticks, as does Ace and other hardware stores. JB weld produces some--but there are some by DuPont and most glue manufactures.

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:31 am Post subject: Rub Rail rivets

My 26' ProAngler CD had the same problem with the rivets as well as having quite a few of them pop loose from the hull on both sides along the cockpit area.
I pulled the rubber rubrail insert out all the way around the boat. Then drilled a hole through each rivet an replaced it with a no.8 bolt SS bolt with a small fender washer and SS nyloc nut inside. Then reinserted the rubber rail insert. THat was the hardest part but I got it done. One needs to put it back w/o any tension as you will have left over rubber at the rear end. Spraying silicone on it helps getting it inserted.
The washers/nuts are not the prettiest thing but it is a fishing boat and I like it just fine.

haakebecks · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 12:38 am Post subject:

I ended up simply mixing up some thickened epoxy (colloidal silica only) and covering up all of the exposed rivets. That mixture is almost a cloudy opaque color and blends into the splatter gelcoat pretty well.