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how do you deal with old rivet bits inside the ribs?

waketrailstar

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May 15, 2025
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I have the remaining pieces lodged inside the ribs of my Starcraft after pulling some old rivets. I have no idea how to catch them. I'm a little concerned that they might eventually come loose, roll around, and clog the drain holes like tiny kidney stones made of aluminum. Does anyone know how to handle this in a clean way?
 
My tried and proven method for those stubborn bits is often a strong shop vac with a narrow crevice tool.
Sometimes if you tap on the rib near the lodged piece, it will vibrate enough to be sucked out.
For anything really stuck, a small magnet on a flexible retrieval tool can work if they're steel, but since they're aluminum, that's out.
 
I have the remaining pieces lodged inside the ribs of my Starcraft after pulling some old rivets. I have no idea how to catch them. I'm a little concerned that they might eventually come loose, roll around, and clog the drain holes like tiny kidney stones made of aluminum. Does anyone know how to handle this in a clean way?
Try fishing them out with a vacuum and a bit of small hose taped to the end so you can snake it down into the ribs, compressed air can also help herd them to one corner where you can suck them out
 
I have the remaining pieces lodged inside the ribs of my Starcraft after pulling some old rivets. I have no idea how to catch them. I'm a little concerned that they might eventually come loose, roll around, and clog the drain holes like tiny kidney stones made of aluminum. Does anyone know how to handle this in a clean way?
How are you planning to reach into the ribs, do you have access through an inspection port or are you thinking of removing part of the flooring to get in there?
 
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