White Vinegar For Cleaning Parts

[burnin oil]

I had to clean a nasty fitting off of a sand blaster for repurposing on an impact wrench. About an hour in apple vinegar and rinse. Almost spotless. The fitting was galvanised. Finished cleaned it with a paper towel. As much junk as I have around here you would think I would have a new 1/2"-3/8"npt fitting. Saved a trip to town.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Thinking about your thread Doc, I really wanted these bumper nuts badly. I have eight already zinc plated. My rear step bumper didn't have them, but a sport bumper does, which I'm using. At any rate, I had three extra for some reason, & stole another six off my C20. That truck is pretty well rusty, so the nuts took some doing.

I don't like soaking parts in vinegar too long or often. These took three vinegar baths as is, two with a pinch of Must For Rust too. You can help the process with WD-40 baths, which I did, twice , I really wanted these nuts. WD-40 loosens up the rust (black) some, that and a scrub pad works well.

First picture is what the nuts looked like after the first vinegar bath, brushing and an oil bath. If it's black it's "still rust" and HARD. That black doesn't bode well for anything short of paint.

Second picture is of them finished, but a little sanding in places due. One nut is pretty bad, but I don't need it.

Third pic is what they'll look like, though the plated nuts were in much better condition from start.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Thinking about your thread Doc, I really wanted these bumper nuts badly. I have eight already zinc plated. My rear step bumper didn't have them, but a sport bumper does, which I'm using. At any rate, I had three extra for some reason, & stole another six off my C20. That truck is pretty well rusty, so the nuts took some doing.

I don't like soaking parts in vinegar too long or often. These took three vinegar baths as is, two with a pinch of Must For Rust too. You can help the process with WD-40 baths, which I did, twice , I really wanted these nuts. WD-40 loosens up the rust (black) some, that and a scrub pad works well.

First picture is what the nuts looked like after the first vinegar bath, brushing and an oil bath. If it's black it's "still rust" and HARD. That black doesn't bode well for anything short of paint.

Second picture is of them finished, but a little sanding in places due. One nut is pretty bad, but I don't need it.

Third pic is what they'll look like, though the plated nuts were in much better condition from start.

I've had a couple of parts that I had to get a little more aggressive with too. I used the wire wheel on one of them and it worked pretty good. I have a few of those slotted nuts if you want me to see if any of them are in good shape.

LockDoc

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by special-K

Gotta have it on my greens, too! I keep a jug handy with my other chemicals. Vinegar is excellent for paint prep, too. Etching bare metal. Cheap!

Well there ya' go. After you get your parts clean, you can have greens.

[toolboxchev]

Gave that stuff a whirl. 1 buck at the Dollar Store. All I can say is I am impressed!

Let em sit in the sun with the lids on.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I've had a couple of parts that I had to get a little more aggressive with too. I used the wire wheel on one of them and it worked pretty good. I have a few of those slotted nuts if you want me to see if any of them are in good shape.

LockDoc

Thanks Doc, but I have the 16 I need. Sure I wouldn't mind cleaner nuts than a few of these, but don't trouble yourself, I'll survive. And sure, they're going to be the only hardware on this truck that's pitted, but don't fret, I'll get over it

Messing around, seriously I'm good, thank you for the offer. Then again, if they're nice and you don't need them, I'll find some bolts for your good gesture

I call em slotted nuts too - apparently they're "expanding flex top" or "flex lock" nuts.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Thanks Doc, but I have the 16 I need. Sure I wouldn't mind cleaner nuts than a few of these, but don't trouble yourself, I'll survive. And sure, they're going to be the only hardware on this truck that's pitted, but don't fret, I'll get over it

Messing around, seriously I'm good, thank you for the offer. Then again, if they're nice and you don't need them, I'll find some bolts for your good gesture

I call em slotted nuts too - apparently they're "expanding flex top" or "flex lock" nuts.

Sorry Doc, that was my LONG winded way of saying I'm happy either way. I just finished what I got with sand paper, and even the most pitted is probably useful, it's an extra anyway. I'd sand a few more, but would rather not use metric

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Sorry Doc, that was my LONG winded way of saying I'm happy either way. I just finished what I got with sand paper, and even the most pitted is probably useful, it's an extra anyway. I'd sand a few more, but would rather not use metric

No problem. Thanks for the note.

LockDoc

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

No problem. Thanks for the note.

LockDoc

Leon,Thanks for the thread!!!

I'm always looking for cheaper and easier ways do to things!!!

Hope your 4th in the Great State of Iowa is a great day for you and family!!!
Jeff

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Leon,Thanks for the thread!!!

I'm always looking for cheaper and easier ways do to things!!!

Hope your 4th in the Great State of Iowa is a great day for you and family!!!
Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Doing good here in Iowa, Slowww and easy..

LockDoc

[jamie72]

just a tip for nuts and bolt cleaning, it you are a reloader,and clean your own cases, a tumbler is a great tool to clean up the small stuff.