Bolt Restoration a simple How-To

[Jeff Clark]

I was cleaning out my photobucket and came across some pics of a old how to thread I did for the guy on a budget. I originally came up with idea when I was reading a thread about some unhappy results with a man painting some of his hardware black, So I went and threw this simple process togeather for him since then I have had alot of people use this method with good results so I figured I would share it here. The pics im using are with body bolts but can be used with any steel hardware.

You will need a few simple things, You will need a way to clean your hardware a blast cabinet, wire wheel or some way to clean off all the rust, muratic acid works well for stripping rust also, I might do something on that later...

Things you will need a propane torch some oil a small steel cup and pliers.

Then you need a rusty bolt

 

[Jeff Clark]

You will need to clean the bolt or hardware very well, I used a bead blast cabinet

The next thing you want to do is heat the bolt, not glowing red but get it hot

Have a tin cup filled with regular motor oil.
The next step is when the bolt is good and hot soak it in the oil.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Remove the bolt from the oil

Repeat the heat oil process while the bolt is still soaked with oil

Dip the bolt a second time in the oil while it is still hot

 

[Jeff Clark]

Remove the bolt from the oil and let cool on its own

Before and after

This is a new bolt out of the box (small washer) against our 40 year old bolt

 

[Jeff Clark]

I did this same thing on the side cover bolts on Side Poppin

It might take a couple times to get it down but once you do its quite easy, There are a few ways to do this and can be used with phosphate also but works well as is to clean up some old hard to get hardware. For the guy on a budget and about 6 bucks you can clean alot of hardware.

 

[Cap'n kanuckles]

Cool trick,i gonna have to try that.

 

[mmisterbungl]

Jeff, real nice pictorial write up. I want a blast cabinet soooooo bad.

 

[jesse8931]

I would have never thought of that. I will put it to use on the super bronc.

 

[george3]

The problem is no protection. They will re-rust with out a coating.

 

[TeamCheap]

OK cool it looks great, but how fast will that treated bolt start to rust ? or does the HOT oil bath keep it reasonably protected ?

 

[Jeff Clark]

I have hardware under my 69 Camaro crossmember bolts rear dif bolts and some other stuff for 3 years still looks good. It gets minimal use but holding in fine, but phosphate will last longer. The heat oil quenching is also a mild hardning process and oil will be absorbed a few mill by carbon steel.

 

[bayareaburrito]

Haven't tried this but looks affordable.. Ideal for re plating your old nutz and boltz

Plating Kits Chrome Plating Kits Aluminum Anodizing Kits Electroplating Kits - Caswell Inc.

 

[steven Durham]

Old Salt does some home plating like nickel, it just take finding out how to get around the sellers at Caswell Inc. They have a kit for everything.
Steve

 

[Jeff Clark]

I have Zink and Phosphates also some different aluminum treating, I would like to be able to do nickel but I really do not need anymore crap in the shop either... This was just intended on showing how to do a easy cheap fix and save some old hardware with limited abilities.

 

[mmisterbungl]

This was just intended on showing how to do a easy cheap fix and save some old hardware with limited abilities.

Agreed! Not a discussion thread, it was a how-to.:thumbsup:

 

[daddyshift]

Where did you get that intake for the side popper--way cool!!!

 

[Jeff Clark]

Where did you get that intake for the side popper--way cool!!!

I made the intake when I built the engine, There is a build thread in engines, but I was cleaning my phototbucket account last night and moved the pics changing the image code and it deleted the pics in the thread. I will have more up when the mini shows and the project continues.

 

[bayareaburrito]

I have Zink and Phosphates also some different aluminum treating, I would like to be able to do nickel but I really do not need anymore crap in the shop either... This was just intended on showing how to do a easy cheap fix and save some old hardware with limited abilities.

Agreed! Not a discussion thread, it was a how-to.:thumbsup:

With all the above said...
My post was intended to make those that are not aware that your method although probably a good cheap fix.
One can get professional results for a fraction of what a good quality plating company is likely to charge..And this being an open forum all threads in my option are open for others input as well as discussion:thumbsup:

 

[Clayon]

That looks good, I have a 5 gallon pale full of bolts from karts/mini bikes I could do this on.

 

[supernova]

It gives a nice look and the oil would give a degree of protection but to really do it correctly the oil and steel temps must be carefully controlled. A cool tip and as long as the fastener isn't crucial to safety it's fine. An oven for the bolts and a hot plate for the oil with thermometers for both would be ideal, the open flame and oil concerns me a bit but I'm a stickler for safety.:thumbsup: