Rivet type

[lippy]

I used aluminum/*coated* steel mandrel sealing rivets from McMaster-Carr for my front wheel well panel to frame and footboard to frame connections, as recommended by ERA. I used steel/steel mandrel rivets for the footbox to frame connections. When I ran through my first few boxes of rivets, I went to Olander locally (Sunnyvale) and bought some aluminum/steel mandrel rivets for the trunk and rear footwell panels. But I noticed the mandrels are not coated. They are plain steel. Will I have problems with discoloration from the mandrel ends rusting down the road, since they are not coated (then again, even the coated ones can't be coated on the surface where the mandrel breaks)?

Other solutions that have crossed my mind are (1) use aluminum/aluminum mandrel rivets for these connections, since they essentially are non structural, or (2) seal the rivets on the "open" side, above where the mandrel breaks, with tiny bits of clear sealer.

[DanEC]

I doubt anyone has really worried about this before. Probably not going to get much response here although you might try posting the question on the FFR forum since there are a whole bunch of folks over there riveting the heck out of FFR aluminum panels. If you are concerned about this, then a light dab of clear silicon caulking over the rivet surface should help.

I used aluminum rivets with steel mandrel throughout but I also use a West Marine sealer/adhesive between all the panels so they are not going anywhere.

[Danr55]

I would be more concerned about dissimilar metal corrosion that discoloration. This is especially true if you line in a humid environment.

[1985 CCX]

I use stainless steel

[lippy]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

I use stainless steel

I considered that but I read ss on aluminum could have problems with galvanic corrosion, thought not sure if that's true.