Tank dimple dies

[Captain_John]

Soooo, we install the rivet dry? There is no need to dab proseal into the outside cavity of the dimple?

This is precisely what George Orndoff does in his videos.

Do I have it right?

1) Insert rivets into dimpled skin.

2) Tape rivets into place.

3) Put a layer of proseal on stiffener and/or rib.

4) Place stiffener/rib onto inside of tank skin.

5) Back rivet to specs.

Do I have it right??

CJ

[Rick6a]

In addition to your notes I would add the following: Take a tip from some companies in the aerospace industry and.....place a dab of proseal on the countersink dimple with a Q-tip or similiar before inserting the rivet. Squeeze out is good! Also, encapsulate each and every rivet shop head with proseal before closing up the tanks. There must be some reason the big boys do it that way.

Rick Galati RV-6A "Darla"

[Captain_John]

Yes, inserting the rivet's manufactured head into a bed of proseal is a practice my fellow building buddy did on his firewall.

It is something I had in the back of my head and was thinking of doing anyways.

Thanks, Rick and All!

CJ

[Steve]

How I did it,

Put the tank skin in the cradle. Cleco all ribs into place. Mix up about 30 gr of proseal for each rib. Remove one rib at a time. Put on 2 pairs of latex gloves then:

1. Spread proseal on the rib flange using a pop stick.

2. Cleco the rib into place inside tank skin.

3. Starting at the leading edge, remove one cleco, replace with a clean rivet, set the rivet. Work from leading edge aft alternating top to bottom. Put the cleco in a container filled with MEK or lacquer thinner for cleaning later. Clean proseal from the bucking bar and rivet set as you go along.

4. After each rib is riveted in place, cover the rivet shop heads and the rib/skin joint with additional proseal . I used an acid brush for this task.

Elapsed time approx 1 hr.

Steve

[Rick6a]

If the work schedule permits, a less messier way of working with proseal is to fay seal all the internal ribs at one time then 100% cleco the ribs to the tank skins looking for good squeeze out around all the edges of the rib flanges. Touch up any voids, then walk away to let the sealer cure. Enjoy your weekend. Later, remove the clecos and wet install the rivets, set normally. A lot less sealer mess to deal with. Don't worry about cured proseal sticking to and ruining the clecos. They will work just fine, sometimes the clecos even hold better if well worn or installed in slightly oversized holes.

Rick Galati RV-6A "Darla"