Cleaning up old nuts and bolts

LynnBob Mustang · 11-06-2009, 07:10 AM

I'm pulling off everything from the car and labeling every nut and bolt to where they came from.
Some are more worse for wear then others as far as surface rust and grime.
I've seen those complete bolt replacing kits, but I'm not looking to have a concurs car so I don't have to have the correct plating and such as long as they are clean, painted, presentable, and I'm not using miss matched hard ware store nuts and bolts.

Whats the best way to de rust them? degreasing is a no brainer, but what derusting them?

I'll just paint them up when done.

Thanks,
Lynn

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Joe1967 · 11-06-2009, 07:26 AM

wire wheel on a bench grinder
grab a pair of pliers or vise grips and safety goggles and go to town.

2+2GT · 11-06-2009, 09:29 AM

Poke them through an old kick panel and glass bead them. You can even re-create the oiled finish by soaking them overnight in phosphoric acid. Search the 'net for instructions on "Parkerizing", such as this:

http://www.cromwell-intl.com/garand/parkerizing.html

MetalEd · 11-06-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LynnBob Mustang

Whats the best way to de rust them? degreasing is a no brainer, but what derusting them?

I swear by this stuff for rusted bolts. You can clean bolts and nuts that have been caked over with rust and be able to use the threads again, without removing the paint. You really have to try it, no work and they will come out like new. Every bolt I take off the car gets tossed into it for safe holding and comes out like new.
Take a look at the web site. The pictures are what actually happens. Take a rusted engine block that has been out in the weather for years, soak it a few days and it will look as good as new. Most screws and such on a car can be done in hours, heavily rusted stuff takes overnight. It is well worth doing to all bolts and screws you remove, this stuff was was made for what you have in mind. Use over and over. Non-toxic, non-corrosive. stick your hand right into it if needed. Rinse off with water! Leave metal in it for weeks, no harm done.
A lot better than grinding and painting all day and no damaged threads (they come out looking like new with a short term protective coating) To bad it would cost too much to soak the entire car.

http://evaporust.com/

nba1341 · 11-06-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalEd

I swear by this stuff for rusted bolts. You can clean bolts and nuts that have been caked over with rust and be able to use the threads again, without removing the paint. You really have to try it, no work and they will come out like new. Every bolt I take off the car gets tossed into it for safe holding and comes out like new.
Take a look at the web site. The pictures are what actually happens. Take a rusted engine block that has been out in the weather for years, soak it a few days and it will look as good as new. Most screws and such on a car can be done in hours, heavily rusted stuff takes overnight. It is well worth doing to all bolts and screws you remove, this stuff was was made for what you have in mind. Use over and over. Non-toxic, non-corrosive. stick your hand right into it if needed. Rinse off with water! Leave metal in it for weeks, no harm done.
A lot better than grinding and painting all day and no damaged threads (they come out looking like new with a short term protective coating) To bad it would cost too much to soak the entire car.

http://evaporust.com/

that stuff looks pretty nifty

is it a soak only solution? because for things like callipers and stuff it would be differicult to take them off and soak them

Oxnard Montalvo · 11-06-2009, 03:45 PM

IMHO you're better off just getting some new bolts. It's a lot of tedious work bringing them all back, and some may be marginal at best. You"d want to replace any lock washers anyway so you'll need a source.

A quality hardware store will have quality bolts, many in stainless steel.

groho · 11-06-2009, 05:24 PM

Try a media tumbler. If you're not in a hurry, it sure beats the cost of buying new hardware.

rmodel65 · 11-06-2009, 05:38 PM

buy a master fastner kit you will be glad you did and they come labeled with what each bag is used for iirc around 200$ well worth it

Adrenolin · 11-06-2009, 06:09 PM

I must agree with a few others here and say new is the way to go! Definitely buy a new Interior fastener set at least. A few bags of the fender bolts from any vendor will help but order 2 to 3 times what you think you'll use as its a common size.

A hardware store will likely cost a small fortune. I was lucky in that we had a local store that specialized in fasteners. Damn near anything I needed they had there in stock and quantity. The nice thing is they sold everything by weight so bag up all the 1/4x20s nut/bolts/washers, and the assorted other sizes, drop it all on a scale and pay the guy.

Anything you do replace make sure you only replace it with Stainless Steel. As stated above you'll want to replace all the lock washers anyways so you'll have to find a local or online source.

I hate taking a bolt to the grinder or beading booth though there are times you'll just do it. Both remove the zinc coating and your just asking for the rust to return and painting doesn't help.

THUMPIN455 · 11-06-2009, 06:20 PM

I bead blast them if they are in good shape, if they are rusted so bad the heads arent quite the right size for any wrench like on the PoD, then I buy new hardware. Getting the clips and bolt sets really is worth the expense if the stuff on the car is gone or junk.

Junk to me is there isnt much left, junk is not they arent pretty with scuzz on them.

Might try that stuff Metal Ed mentioned. I have lots of rust to eliminate.