Author Topic: Advice for patching exterior holes.  (Read 1172 times)

Offline WildRoutes

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Advice for patching exterior holes.
« on: 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
Tophor Burton
"Captain of The Wildflower"

1979 MCI-9 8V71/740HT

Offline neoneddy

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Re: Advice for patching exterior holes.
« Reply #1 on: 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.
Raising hell in Elk River, MN

1982 MCI MC9

6V92 / 4 Speed Auto (HT740) Video Build Log - Bus Conversion & RV Solar company we now started thanks to our Bus

Offline chessie4905

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Re: Advice for patching exterior holes.
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2019, 12:09:59 PM »
GMC h8h 649#028 (4905)
Pennsylvania-central

Offline Dave5Cs

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Re: Advice for patching exterior holes.
« Reply #3 on: 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. :)
"Perfect Frequency"1979 MCI MC5Cs 6V-71,644MT Allison.
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 60th Anniversary edition.
1998 Jeep TJ ,(Gone)
 Somewhere in the USA fulltiming.

Offline richard5933

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Re: Advice for patching exterior holes.
« Reply #4 on: 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?
Richard
1974 GMC P8M4108a-125 Custom Coach "Land Cruiser" (Sold)
1964 GM PD4106-2412 (Former Bus)
1994 Airstream Excella 25-ft w/ 1999 Suburban 2500
Located in beautiful Wisconsin

Offline luvrbus

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Re: Advice for patching exterior holes.
« Reply #5 on: 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
Life is short drink the good wine first

Offline WildRoutes

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Re: Advice for patching exterior holes.
« Reply #6 on: 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. ;D
Tophor Burton
"Captain of The Wildflower"

1979 MCI-9 8V71/740HT

 

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