Thread: Rivets for rib boat question

Originally Posted by jimfish

The problem with using stainless screws and bolts on alum. is corrosion. Its called galvanic corrosion. Over tine the alum. will corrode. Best bet is go with solid alum. rivets.

That's right.


BRM

"Galvanic corrosion. Over time the aluminum will corrode."
Drill the 1/4" holes to 3/8", use nylon stove bolts and nuts. Epoxy around the inside of the head then a layer over the head after tightened.

Some of the bolts on my son's tractor are oddball sizes. Some nylon bolts are closer to the thread size and are working great.

I went back with stainless panhead bolts and put silicone under the head. Did just fine and doesnt leak. As far as the corrosion it must take a long time. My big Express boat has had them in it for 25 years and I havent seen any sign of corrosion. Then again this little 10 ft. boat's aluminum is paper thin also, ha.

Maybe it a dry corrosion. These security doors with a mix of steel and aluminum parts with steel screws/bolts are the ones I changed a few of. You want to change out the style of a door and end up having to buy a new door because of a big hole where a little screw goes. Seems like it's the steel that has the corrosion problem most of the time.