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Old 06-09-2005, 02:49 AM   #20
James
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oklahoma City, OK, US of A
Posts: 27
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For the most part, money and time. And time is money.
Rivets are expensive and labor intensive compared to the glue and the 3M tape.
Then, to a lesser extent, appearance. Most folks prefer a smooth surface on their RV's. Rivets have an industrial look to them.
It's also more difficult to do surface prep for a paint job on riveted panels. Do a bad prep job and your paint's going to pop. Normally right on the rivets.
Now, for the tape/glue, if done correctly, it should take an air chisel to seperate two pieces of bonded metal. Problem is, you have to be in an almost sterile environment to get perfect adhesion. Any dirt or moisture on either of the bonded surfaces or the glue or tape and you'll get a weak bond.
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