Rusty bolt restoration

[landarts]

Has anyone used this product http://www.eastwood.com/ew-rust-dissolver-gallon.html

Or have a different method of restoring old bolts that have rust on them. I do have a sand blast cabinet, however that is a long drawn out process. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[KEL]

Just get the grease off of them, and then drop them in a jug of vinegar for a few days. Most of the rust will disappear.

[69sixpackbee]

I have battled this for years on old stuff I can tell you that once the metal is contaminated it can really make a mess. It is not as simple as removing the iron oxides that you can see you must take into account the chemical process that you are about to start, and this is one that you don't want any part of! Do yourself a favor and use Phosphoric acid because it will remove the oxides also but it will start the right chemical reaction that will leave the phosphate coating that will inhibit rust instead of accelerating it. The Phosphoric acid may take a little longer but it is definitely the better way to go, usually the fastest way out of something just leads right back in!
Read this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4487861_remo...from-iron.html

[Myself]

Round up everything you want clean, then drop it off at the local machine shop. They'll put it in a basket and acid dip it for just a little money.

[cdowns]

$2 or so you can buy a gallon of vinegar// soak bolts for a few days or so, rince with water then a solution of baking soda and they're good to go

strain and save vinegar use as salad dressing for unwanted house guests

[dfwright]

Check out this thread Bolt Restorations

[guyryan100]

Why not just buy new bolts? Not being a smart a$$, am really curious.

[Sammy]

I am in the same thought process especially the common hardware stuff. Hardware stores sell that stuff by the pound for a couple of bucks or so. And if you not doing suspension stuff, stainless hardware isn't badly priced if you want the shiny sparkling bling.

[GRX]

Originally Posted by 69 1/2 Six Pack Bee

I have battled this for years on old stuff I can tell you that once the metal is contaminated it can really make a mess. It is not as simple as removing the iron oxides that you can see you must take into account the chemical process that you are about to start, and this is one that you don't want any part of! Do yourself a favor and use Phosphoric acid because it will remove the oxides also but it will start the right chemical reaction that will leave the phosphate coating that will inhibit rust instead of accelerating it. The Phosphoric acid may take a little longer but it is definitely the better way to go, usually the fastest way out of something just leads right back in!
Read this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4487861_remo...from-iron.html

^^^ - this.

Naval Jelly is tried & true.

[vectorit]

Originally Posted by guyryan100

Why not just buy new bolts? Not being a smart a$$, am really curious.

In my case, I didn't want to spend the money for new fasteners if all that was needed was some elbow grease to restore them back to the way I wanted.

Plus many times you can not get new bolts that "exactly" match the ones you already have, such as a certain plating, shape, head stamp, length, or ones that have a special washer attached.

I get picky about these details when you can see them, or they are serving a purpose that requires an exact replacement.

Not that I am all about "Concours d'Elegance" show of my truck, it's just that I tend to be a picky SOB with tiny details like this.

[69sixpackbee]

Originally Posted by vectorit

Not that I am all about "Concours d'Elegance" show of my truck, it's just that I tend to be a picky SOB with tiny details like this.

I'm with ya, bro.

[292farmer]

Originally Posted by cdowns

$2 or so you can buy a gallon of vinegar// soak bolts for a few days or so, rince with water then a solution of baking soda and they're good to go

strain and save vinegar use as salad dressing for unwanted house guests

i just spit my drink all over my wife from laughing so hard (whose pregnant and pissy) when i read the unwanted guest part,

[71blksuper4x4]

Sorry if the link talks about tumblers. That's what we use on our old bolts. Stick some blasting media in a cheap tumbler and turn it on, and in a couple of days and no effort, they come out nice. Trevor

[Bad70sbchevy]

What about cleaning it up with a wire brush? Worked well for me and you can get one for a cordless drill for dirt cheap.

[ETsC10]

Yup! Wire brush them and oil the clean threads after running
a die down them. If you want the heads to stay looking new...clear
coat them, paint or keep them well oiled.

[srea76]

I always use vinegar. They come out looking brand new in just a day or 2.

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by dfwright

Check out this thread Bolt Restorations

Thanks for linking this. Its pretty easy to get great results.

[DaddyO]

I used this:




http://evaporust.com/

Worked really well for me.

[LEEVON]

I think I'm going to refinish a couple of bolt buckets that are taking up space. After a little research, it looks like they have good reviews for a cheap vibratory tumbler.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=158440

Then the caswell plating black oxide kit from the other thread:

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm

[Thealien]

Just want to say that I have not had good luck using a tumbler. I have one and it didn't seem to work (I was using the same media I tumble shell casings in). I have had the best luck with a sand blast cabinet. I would be interested to know how a tumbler would work with a more agressive media.