Question on metal refinishing automotive bolts

[conekiller]

I have numerous automotive bolts, that I would like to ultimately refinish.. Some are quite greasy, some are so - so, and others are completely stripped of all finishing from over agresive cleaners, ie Muriatic Acid. (Don't laugh, I was just experimenting)

So what is the best method to take this lump of bolts, that I would like to reuse, to get them back in OEM finish shape?

Thanks for the advice...!

Rick

[KCV6]

I assume they were originally Zinc plated gold chromate.

If that is the case the best bet would be to re do them with zinc and gold chromate.

If you only have a few to be done, I suggest you see if there is one of the members here willing to do the bits for you for a reasonable price.

Cheers Mark

[seanc]

In this order:

1) Are they dirty, greasy, oily, hard-caked, painted? Clean & strip completely.

Soak in a dip-basket carb cleaner. Problem is getting the good stuff.

Most of what's sold today is "environmentally friendly" californicated variety which doesn't work worth a damn. Some stores still have the good stuff, or can order it, but it's become very expensive.

The good stuff has very strong "hazardous" solvents (toluene, xylene, acetone, MEK, etc.) and the best has methylene chloride as well.

The crappy stuff takes many, many hours of soaking to get clean, and it won't take off paint.

2) After above, do they still have paint on 'em?

Get a good paint stripper w/methylene chloride and strip the paint.

3) Were they plated to begin with, and is there any plating left on 'em?

Soak in acid pickle until the old plating is gone.

4) Remove rust. Media blast or tumble until non-rusty.

5) re-plate in whatever OEM finish was.

Sean