Aluminum Shave Head Tri-Fold Rivets

Why aluminum for shave head rivets?

Because of what happens when you shave. The finishing cut removes the top of the head and the mandrel stub together, which exposes bare metal at the cut surface on every rivet you install. On an aluminum rivet in an aluminum skin, that bare face is the same metal as the panel around it: it weathers the same way, takes the same polish, and forms its own oxide layer without staining. Use a steel rivet in the same job and every shaved head is a bare steel disc set into an aluminum panel, which rusts and drives galvanic corrosion in the skin around it. On a polished trailer that failure is impossible to hide. For skin repair, aluminum is the only sensible specification.

Why choose aluminum shave head rivets

• Shaved face matches the surrounding aluminum panel in color and weathering
• No dissimilar metal against an aluminum skin, so no galvanic corrosion
• Shaves cleanly and takes polish alongside the panel
• Three folding legs give high clamp in thin skin and elongated holes
• Sealing or EPDM washer under the head for a watertight joint
• Easy to set, so a standard hand riveter handles the smaller sizes

Sizes and grip ranges

• 5/32 inch with EPDM washer, 0.020 through 0.312 inch grip
• 3/16 inch with sealing washer, in three grip ranges from 0.050 through 0.750 inch
• 1/4 inch with EPDM washer, 0.250 through 0.500 inch grip
• Order by body diameter, then match grip range to your total skin and frame thickness
• Drill the hole just slightly larger than the rivet body diameter

Common applications

• Vintage aluminum trailer restoration, including Airstream skin repair
• Horse trailer, cargo trailer, and RV exterior panels
• Heavy truck body skins originally assembled with solid rivets
• Replacing solid rivets where the interior is finished and inaccessible
• Repairs over holes that have elongated around the original fastener
• Any polished or exposed aluminum panel where appearance matters

You will need finishing tools alongside these, so check our rivet tools for what is available. If the head does not need to match solid rivets, aluminum dome head tri-fold rivets skip the shaving step entirely.

Related Categories

• Shave Head Tri-Fold Rivets
• Aluminum Dome Head Tri-Fold Rivets
• Tri-Fold Rivets
• Rivet Tools
• Rivet Washers

Aluminum Shave Head Rivet FAQs

What size hole do I drill?

Just slightly larger than the rivet body diameter, sized so the body slips in without forcing. Common practice is a #30 bit for 1/8 series and a #11 for 3/16 series, but verify against the specification for your exact part before drilling a whole panel.

Will the shaved head polish like the panel?

Yes, which is why aluminum matters here. The cut face is the same alloy family as the skin, so it takes polish and weathers alongside the surrounding metal instead of standing out.

Can I use these on a steel trailer?

You can, but the pairing is poor in wet conditions since aluminum becomes the sacrificial metal against steel. These are designed for aluminum skin work. For steel panels, the steel dome head tri-fold is the better match.

Do I have to remove the washer?

No, and generally you should not. The washer gives a watertight seal under the head, which matters on an exterior skin. It can be removed if your application requires the head to sit directly on the panel, in which case use a urethane sealant to restore the seal.

What is the difference between EPDM and sealing washers?

EPDM is a synthetic rubber with excellent UV and weather resistance, which is why it appears on exterior fasteners. Both provide a seal under the head. EPDM holds up better against sunlight and temperature cycling over long outdoor exposure.

How strong are these compared to solid rivets?

Tri-fold rivets are non-structural, so they are chosen for holding power in thin skin rather than for shear capacity. The three folded legs give a large blind side footprint and high clamp, which is what skin repair needs. For structural shear loads, use structural rivets.