Inner Fender Bolt Treatment

[73737373]

Bolts are all rust free and clean after soaking in vinegar for a couple of days. What do I do now to keep them from rusting? Don't really want to paint them.

[71K20chevy]

Black oxide is what the factory used, you can get the kit from Eastwood I believe.

[73737373]

Andy,

Thanks.

[FirstOwner69]

What I did (did not use vinegar):
1) Thoroughly wire brushed, cleaned threads with a die and degreased.
2) Soaked in hot phosphoric acid (couple hours or as needed...some overnight) to remove rust after wire brushing. This turned them black/black phosphated them.
3) Rinsed with water, wiped dry and let completely air dry.
4) Brushed lightly, wiped with paper towel then soaked in 70% rubbing alcohol, wiped and let completely air dry.
5) Applied liquid gun blue and let soak for 5-10 minutes while keeping them wet with gun blue.
6) Rinsed and dried.
7) Tossed in heated trans fluid for a few minutes then wiped off excess.

The phosphoric acid used was Klean Strip Prep and Etch from Home Depot. About $16/gallon.

The heated phosphoric acid definitely started the removal/phosphating process faster than cold. Heating the trans fluid probably didn't matter.

I can't say how it will hold up for the long term, but they've held up well since last summer through a very cold winter, lots of humidity and multiple condensation cycles.

[flykelley]

Fluid film, love it use it all the time. Leaves a nice thick oily coat. It works great on battery post.


Mike