Replacing Exterior Screws???

[Atomic Addiction]

This is for anyone that thas replaced all of their rusty exterior screws...

-How many screws did it take to do your whole trailer?

-What size screws did you use? Length and number?

-Did you use different sizes?

-What type of screw did you use? Stainless or Alumuinum?

-What type of head did you choose?

Thanks for the info in advance!

[Red Dirt]

~900
~700 #6 x 3/4 --windows, vents, aluminum skin, drip eyebrows
~200 #8 x 3/4 --drip edges
Aluminum
Square head

However if I had it to do over, I would probably just use marine grade stainless, they are a bit cheaper, stronger, and easier to source locally if you need a few more at places like Fastenal. I would probably order an extra box (100) of each just to have extras around.

Red Dirt

[joek]

Red,

Were the original screws on your drip rails #8, or was that an upgrade on size for you? I'm pretty sire mine were #6. I still have a rear corner piece as yet to change, I guess I'll double check.

I bought a 1000 #6 Stainless screws at Boltdepot.com for about $25.00. I try to never buy stainless fasteners at the hardware store, as they cost 5-10 times more than at boltdepot or other online fastener suppliers.

[Red Dirt]

On the drip rail they were 8's. Pretty sure they were the originals as they were rust nuggets, but they were definitely larger than the other body. trim. and window screws.

X2 on avoiding box stores for screws and bolts. Got mine at McFeely's.

Red Dirt

[joek]

Interestingly, mine were certainly the same size, #6, on the drip rail as on the rest of the trailer. I may upgrade to #8 though, as some seems to spin a little too freely.

[franksshasta]

Must have been out of 8's that day.

[Red Dirt]

Ha! Yup, I'm telling you. I think there was some freedom on the line.

Red Dirt

[Rusty Wings]

Guys - should i be going for the Pan Head sheet metal screw? can someone point me to a link?

www.boltdepot.com/sheet-metal-screws.aspx

[joek]

Yep, phillips pan head is what came off my trailer, and what I put back on.

www.boltdepot.com/dimension.aspx?cc=11&cs=45&cm=6

Mine defineatly had #6 all around, but I will be replacing all the ones in the drip edge with #8, and squirting a sealer in each hole as I do it. Haven't decide what filler I will use yet, but something thin, flexible, and not 100% silicone.

[tbkillen]

I bought stainless steel pan screws that uses the square driver. I got mine online at www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/main.do
They had the best price I found. I got the same number and size Red Dirt recommended but I wish I had gotten a box of #10 too.

[Atomic Addiction]

Apr 11, 2010 14:54:42 GMT -5 joek said:

and squirting a sealer in each hole as I do it. Haven't decide what filler I will use yet, but something thin, flexible, and not 100% silicone.

I would use Vulkem that is a bit more aluminum friendly...

www.vintagetrailersupply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VTS-190&Show=ExtInfo

Here are the field notes on Vulkem from VTS...

The Vulkem brand of caulk is legendary with Airstream restorers. However, since Tremco--the maker of Vulkem--manufacturers more than a dozen different types of polyurethane caulk, it can get confusing. Adding to the confusion is the fact that Tremco is phasing out the Vulkem name and replacing it with the nameTremPro.
After consultation with Tremco, we recommend only Trempro 635 and 636 for the restoration of vintage travel trailers. Each has its own strengths, so we offer both.

Trempro 636, like all Vulkem is a traditional solvent-based polyurethane sealant, but with a very slow cure rate. It takes 4 to 8 hours for it to become tack free. With traditional polyurethane sealants, a slow cure rate is very important. The slower the cure, the higher the ratio of solvents to solids. The solvents are useful in cutting through any oil/grease that may be on the skin of the trailer. This gives better adhesion on aluminum that has been exposed to the elements. Traditional fast-cure sealants like Sikaflex 221 (tack free in 60 minutes) are better used in assembly-line production where speed is important and material conditions are controlled. Also, slower curing sealants are generally stronger than traditional faster curing sealants.

We recommend TremPro 636 especially when installing new panels when you need to buy a little extra time to make sure everything is positioned correctly.

TremPro 635, on the other hand, is a faster curing polyurethane sealant. It is tack free in 90 minutes. This makes it easier to use when speed is important. You won't have to worry about smudging it 3 hours after you apply it.

But TremPro 635 isn't a traditional fast cure sealant like Sikaflex 221. TremPro 635 uses new solvent-free SPUR (silane terminated polyurethanes) technology that gives it strength and adhesion equal to traditional slow cure polyurethane sealants. It is also a no-VOC product.

We think you're going to love Trempro 635 and recommend it in all situations except, perhaps, when installing new panels where you may need the extra time to position the panel correctly and don't want too fast a set up.

Apr 11, 2010 21:45:12 GMT -5 tbkillen said:

I bought stainless steel pan screws that uses the square driver. I got mine online at www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/main.do
They had the best price I found. I got the same number and size Red Dirt recommended but I wish I had gotten a box of #10 too.

Tbkillen... What were you use the #10's on? The drip rails or body panels?

-Brian

[Rusty Wings]

Thanks guys. I just ordered 1000 #6s and 200 #8s from Bolt Depot.

[tbkillen]

I had to use #10's on some sections of the drip rails that run from the back to the front and for some of the vent panels on the side. All of the screws removed from my trailer were #6's. Now that I'm putting everything back together, I start with the 6's and go up from there if they free spin. I've probably used about 40 #10's. Since Lowe's was the only place open when I needed them, I spent more on a 25 pack of 10's than a 100 pack of the other sizes.

[Rusty Wings]

FYI, i found cheaper source for the Vulkrem (now named TemPro) 635. Two tubes for $12.27w/ free shipping from this place (which is about 5 bucks less than VTS).

www.drillspot.com/products/922684/tremcoinc_635712_323_polyurethane_adhesive_sealant?s=1

[Atomic Addiction]

Apr 16, 2010 13:08:34 GMT -5 Rusty Wings said:

FYI, i found cheaper source for the Vulkrem (now named TemPro) 635. Two tubes for $12.27w/ free shipping from this place (which is about 5 bucks less than VTS).

www.drillspot.com/products/922684/tremcoinc_635712_323_polyurethane_adhesive_sealant?s=1

Thanks for the source!
Brian

[rkymtnman]

x2 - just placed the order! Thanks for the tip.

[Rusty Wings]

Looks like my tip was a waste of time. They just refunded my order:

"The item you purchased from us [Tremco,Inc - Polyurethane Adhesive Sealant, Pack of 2 - 635712 323] has been discontinued by the warehouse. At this time, the manufacturer has not provided a possible alternate model."

[rkymtnman]

WEIRD! I just received an email telling me my order shipped??? Stay tuned.... this could get interesting.

[Rusty Wings]

It just got weirder...

They canceled and refunded my order but yesterday it showed up on my doorstep! Now i have three tubes and probably only need one.

Anyone want to buy a tube of Tempro 635?

[rkymtnman]

Just to add to the weirdness - mine was hand delivered this afternoon by the local fastenal rep who tells me that they have just become business partners with drill pro and logistics are still being worked out, etc, etc, etc. The guy drove to my place - probably 20 miles one way - at a minimum - at an hourly rate likely in the 20's to hand deliver 12 bucks worth of someone else's product He was very nice, polite and well dressed. Took me way off guard but I did get my 2 tubes.

[Rusty Wings]

Interesting. Don't know how it got to my house but mine it did come in a Fastenal box. Definitely sounds like they've got some kinks to work out.