Hopefully the Proseal will hold my wings on...

SteelMike · #1 02-04-2009, 09:27 AM

So, how strong do you think proseal is?

I'm trying to make myself feel better about some rivets in my tanks that I know must be bad. It's really tough to get those rivets set right with the proseal and all.

I'm worried about the rivets I drove in the T-405 (I think) tank attach angle on the inboard end. I'm guessing that's a load-bearing structure? I drove those rivets last night and they didn't turn out so good (I think - I'm only going on feel because you can't really see 'em).

Do I drill them out? How to deal with the metal shavings? Is it a critical structure? Will the glue suffice where my rivets won't? Can anyone commiserate?

As usual - thanks in advance...

DGlaeser · #2 02-04-2009, 10:31 AM

Proseal is a sealant - NOT an adhesive, so it's structural properties are NIL.
When you say the rivets are bad - you mean the formed heads may not be perfect? Unless they are really really realy bad, I'd leave them alone. The archives have a number of stories where trying to replace 'bad' rivets turns out even worse.
Whenever possible, rivet first, and apply proseal after, especially on the inside of the tank.

SteelMike · #3 02-04-2009, 10:33 AM

They're bad enough to be concerned. Is that angle a critical structure?

vmirv8bldr · #4 02-04-2009, 10:36 AM

IIRC, there is room for more rivets on that angle. Have you considered addiing a couple of additional rivets?

xavierm · #5 02-04-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelMike

They're bad enough to be concerned. Is that angle a critical structure?

If they are bad enough to be concerned, I personally would drill them out for peace of mind. Why worry about those rivets every time you go flying?

SteelMike · #6 02-04-2009, 10:45 AM

Oh, and yes - the formed heads are no good.

vmirv8bldr · #7 02-04-2009, 10:50 AM

Sounds like you've determined they're bad enough to worry you. That means bad enough to be replaced. You'll sleep better, if nothign else. Drill them.

Phil · #8 02-04-2009, 11:01 AM

If you can drill them and punch them, you shouldn't get any shavings. Just make sure you catch the shop head. Now's probably the best time to do it before the proseal really sets up.

If you don't, you'll never feel good about flying it.

As mentioned before, you should never count on proseal to do anything more than seal your tanks. It has absolutely no structural value.

SteelMike · #9 02-04-2009, 11:03 AM

Yeah, I may drill them out or add some just to feel better, but then there's the question of metail shavings getting into the proseal or the tank itself...

Phil · #10 02-04-2009, 11:05 AM

So the manufactured head is on the fuel tanks interior? I was thinking it was the shop head........