Temporary Rivet Seals

Lot's of work, but it looks much better!

This Casita group on Facebook is such an inspiration! After all these years, thanks to your posted examples, I finally decided to actually do something about the definitely grubby and chalky exterior of my '89 Patriot.

Up until now, I have always told myself that having a "well-used" look to my equipment was a sign of true outdoorsman sophistication. None of that newby gloss and shine for old Jim! I mean, does anything communicate true "campfire savoir faire" better than a well worn pack and smelly sleeping bag?

But your helpful posts and photos soon convinced me that, au contraire to my long standing prejudice, a grubby Casita was more of an expression of extreme anti-social tendencies than it was of manly know-how and experience.

So soon I was up to my knees in bottles of Meguiars, Poly-Glow, applicators, wiping cloths - every possible tool and gadget that might somewhat smooth the Herculean task of cleaning and restoration that I had set for myself. I even ordered a plastic cover to hide the rusty propane tanks that have lived on the Casita's wagon tongue since the beginning of time.

Max is a bit blasé about shiny!

 Max, my canine companion, watched in amazement as I climbed ladders, crawled around on my knees, and generally swarmed over the Casita cleaning, wiping, buffing, and polishing. In due time, the grubby grayish-white blob that my neighbors have carefully avoided mentioning for years, became a thing of beauty with a shine that..., well I notice that my neighbors have started to wear sunshades when they walk past my driveway!

However, in the process of getting that shine, almost all of the plastic rivet caps and washers disappeared. Replacing them requires replacing the rivets with new washers, and at the moment, I don't have the time to take care of that task.

In the past, I have used aluminum tape to temporarily seal rivets. It forms a watertight seal, is quick and easy to use, will last as long as you need it, and comes off easily when you are ready to do a more thorough job of repair. On a grubby trailer a few shiny spots of aluminum don't make much difference, but with my new shiny Casita, the aluminum tape stuck out like those pimples on a teenager getting ready for his first date.

Now I realize that dogs can't talk, but I have a habit of talking to Max, and somehow he has a way of answering. As I sat in the Casita's doorway somewhat disheartened, Max said, "Jim, why don't you just paint the tape to match the Casita?"

Aluminum tape painted to match

"No, Max, I don't want to get paint on the Casita. Might not be able to get it off."

"Jim, paint the tape before you put it on the Casita!"

So that is how Max and I solved the problem. I took about six inches of aluminum tape from the roll. It has a paper backing that does not come off until you are ready to place the tape. Using a spray can of appliance paint I painted the shiny side white to match (sort of) the Casita. After it dried, I cut a patch large enough to seal the rivet hole. It blends with the trailer much better and will keep the hole sealed until I have time to replace the rivet, washer, and cap.