Advice for patching exterior holes.

WildRoutes · July 12, 2019, 08:26:05 AM

Hi Everyone!

I am reaching out to your all's amazing counsel and wisdom. I own a 1979 MCI 9 that has been made to look like a MCI D. Recently on my trip home from purchasing her, I had a tangle with a magnolia tree from Waco, TX. (coincidence?...I think not

) Anyway, I brushed the side of the tree due to road work and took out the old satellite for cable. I had to remove it during the trip and now I have holes where the screws were at. Any recommendations for filling/patching those holes? It has been raining a lot and I do not want water to get inside. I look forward to your all's thoughts.

Best Regards,
WildRoutes

neoneddy · July 12, 2019, 08:57:23 AM

I'm still a greenhorn here, but I see a few options.

Find a short lag bolt / screw that will fit the hole so that threads catch. Use silicon or dicor on the bolt before inserting. This way it's temporary and you can add the wires back if ever you wanted.

For a seamless fix, I'd say some fiberglass / bondo also on the backside to make a giant rivet, then sand / paint as needed.

I had some holes from moving exterior lights and switching to different sizes, but also didn't have days for a fiberglass patch. So I used some extra aluminum sheet I had, used dicor as a sealant around the edge , then used machine screws to attach , I then painted over it all. It's not as clean as it could be, but it works. No leaks thus far.

chessie4905 · July 12, 2019, 12:09:59 PM

This should be good if holes aren't large.

https://www.amazon.com/Hy-Poxy-H-450-Alumbond-Aluminum-Repair/dp/B001RMITIA

Dave5Cs · July 12, 2019, 12:27:10 PM

3M 5200 sealant. It will plug it up and sand down and paint. If you use a bolt on an aluminum panel it will corrode over time because of dissimilar metals.

richard5933 · July 12, 2019, 12:32:43 PM

If you are not going to be putting the device back on, this should be simple. Sounds like you have just a few screw holes to fill. Why not just use a few appropriate sized rivets, with a dab of sealant behind them?

luvrbus · July 12, 2019, 02:07:58 PM

Just buy the seal rivets and keep on bus'n they never leak and you do not need any type messy sealant

WildRoutes · July 15, 2019, 05:11:14 PM

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate all your solutions for it. I knew I came to the right place.