Bartman Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 So I’m getting close to paint and I have my car almost completely apart. I don’t want to use my nasty looking bolts against my nice paint job, so I’m wondering how I can clean them up. Mostly they are covered with paint, and I would like to remove it. The main bolts I’m concerned with are the bolts that connect the fenders and all the bolts in the door jambs. So does anyone have nay suggestions on how I can clean them up, or do I just need to purchase new ones. I’ve seen the fender bolts on eBay, so I guess that’s an option for them if they don’t clean up well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I usually wirebrush the heads to clean them up. You can also soak them in a can of parts cleaner overnight. Sometimes, I will stand them up through a piece of cardboard and paint the heads. To get really exotic, go to a good hardware store and get stainless steel replacements or buy a stainless bolt kit from one of the online resources. If you want originality, you might even have them cad plated, perhaps? I'm not really knowledgeable on the fastener coatings used by the factory. Zinc? Just be aware that after you wirebrush them, if you dont treat them, they do rust. Put a little silicone grease on the threads before you assmble them again. This will make your life much easier in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aziza z Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I like to get them all zinc plated/(or some sort of plating). Little expensive but come out better then factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 I don't want them painted, so I'll have to look at getting some plated or stainless replacements. Maybe I can find a good hardware store locally that will have the sizes I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayz Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Plating is cheap, it cost me 80 US$ for 2 box full of bolts and hardware. Original uses Cadmium, but yellow Zinc is pretty much the same thing. You need to remove the paint first, the rust dissolves itself in the acid. Here is an example! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsicard Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I don't want them painted, so I'll have to look at getting some plated or stainless replacements. Maybe I can find a good hardware store locally that will have the sizes I need. Bartman: Suggest Stainless Steel replacements. Some of the originals may be WEAK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktm Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Bartman, McFadden-Dale off of Maple will have a good selection, but I highly recommend their branch near Orange. The selection is much larger. They have everything you'll need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 Bartman, McFadden-Dale off of Maple will have a good selection, but I highly recommend their branch near Orange. The selection is much larger. They have everything you'll need.I was thinking of that place, but couldn't remember the name. I've gone to the one on Edinger a few times, and they have a great selection. I didn't even know they had a location in Corona as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I found http://www.boltdepot.com/default.aspx a great place for stainless and grade 8 stuff. Shipping is tough so you need to order enough the offset the shipping. They are pretty quick with delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilC Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Plating is cheap, it cost me 80 US$ for 2 box full of bolts and hardware. Original uses Cadmium, but yellow Zinc is pretty much the same thing. You need to remove the paint first, the rust dissolves itself in the acid. Here is an example! Dayz, is this place local to you? I might want a few parts done if you can let me know. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piston Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Im going to try and soak my old ones in navel jelly. its a paint/rust stripper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2402BNVD Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I might suggest using a Brass tumbler for firearms with crushed walnut media that has the polishing compount on the walnut. It will remove old paint but leave the plating if it is still intact, while polishing the metal to a nice new shine. If you are to attempt to blast the metal with anything other than soda or plastic media it will change the surface structure of the metal and the Cad/Zinc plating will not even look close to what it looked like originally. THe Brass tumbler that I am talking about can be had at "Midway" with the media for 50-75 dollars.. Works great. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=514805 J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayz Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Dayz, is this place local to you? I might want a few parts done if you can let me know. Thanks 10 Minutes of Driving, very close to me. There is baril and Rack plating, baril is better but for smaller stuff such as bolts and hardware. Let me know what you want! Dayz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 Bartman, McFadden-Dale off of Maple will have a good selection, but I highly recommend their branch near Orange. The selection is much larger. They have everything you'll need.I finally went to the one in Corona this morning. What a great place - they had everything I needed in Stainless Steel. I'll be making more trips to replace additional bolts in the future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughdogz Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 That Macfaden-Dale place is awesome. Our brake caliper bolts tend to vibrate off and MSA didn't carry them one year. Then I remembered TonyD's advice and ten minutes later, we have bolts!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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