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Cant put it off much longer - have to tackle sealing a leaky 12 ft aluminum hull. Probably the rivets, so I will bang on both sides to tighten, but want to put on a sealant too, to fix it good.
Mainly considering two products: Gluv-it (made by Travaco) and Coat It (made by Goop). Also heard Cool-Seal worked for a buddy but the company doesnt recommend walking on it (its made for alumiminum roofs.)
Anyone have any experience with any of these, or maybe a different product you would recommend?
Help of any kind appreciated, I'm a leak sealing rookie and three left thumbs.
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
Easy to put on and lasts... It is a heat activated epoxy that stays slightly flexible. When I put it on I heat up the rivet and then touch it with the stick.
It flows into the cracks and seals it up.
Barry Bevis, Realtor and Owner of BigBendFishing.net
I liked it so much, I bought the company
Bman - That stick looks easy. I might try that if I can identify the leak sources. I am afraid if I dont know right where its coming from that I might be better off coating whole thing with a sealant.
Rocket - I want to keep your nice (former)motor off the lake floor. Not sure my bondo work would pass muster.
The thing about Coat It, is that it can be applied, in fact they recommend applying, to the hull exterior. It has Kevlar and other components that "slick up" the bottom for cutting drag in addition to sealing it. That way I wont have to take out my seats, etc. by applying it on the exterior.
Any other suggestions or experience with Coat It or Gluv-it?
It's easy to find leaky rivets, just put plug in and fill with water to water line and look underneath, presto, water will drip from rivet heads and any hairline cracks that may have formed, then circle with grease pen and seal Also, when you reset rivets it takes two people, one on inside beating and ond on outside holding hammerhead against rivet head (in case you did'nt know). Just hitting on each side will do more damage than good.
You’ve reached middle age when all you exercise is caution.
Thanks for the input. I got project underway Sunday:
I got the boat filled up with water and it was very easy to spot the leaks. Marked about 10 rivets. Often there were two and three close to eachother that weeped.
Have ordered the blue epoxy stick Bman suggested from Cabelas. So that should be easy enough for the problem rivets after I hit from both sides simultaneously to try to tighten.
I did surprize myself by finding two holes in the hull itself. They were 6" apart on floor near stern and the diameter of the 'lead' in a wooden pencil. No wonder I was taking in a gallon an hour!
Will these need any different treatment? Might the epoxy stick do enough or do I need to "plug the hole" with more than that?
Are the holes from corrosion or impact? If impact, JB weld
If the holes are from corrosion you'll have a chalky powder around the hole which is a larger problem as it's like a cancer and will spread once covered by a sealant. The right way is to drill area out to remove the cancer and then have a patch welded over it. You can drill and put a piece of duct tape on the backside as a back up and JB weld, but not recommended as it could get knocked off and you'll have a big leak
You’ve reached middle age when all you exercise is caution.
Thanks 22 I will take a better look. Wasnt real apparent while it was leaking. Trying to keep this low cost. Last thing I need is a big welding bill.
Another question: what is the best way to seal a bolt that has to go thru the hull and the transom below water line? Like the ones tht goes through the metal bracket on stern? Seems like maybe some JB weld on outside of hull but inside the washer and bolt head before I tighten it down would be good idea to seal it up a little. I had one of these seeping a little when I tested and plan to tighten it, but was thinking of what else to use.
I just saw this post.
I can get the heat stick locally. I use it to seal leaks in aluminum coils on refrigerators and ac.
I have also used it on aluminum boats. It works great.
Probably the rivets, so I will bang on both sides to tighten, but want to put on a sealant too, to fix it good. 
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