Member Contributer RobF Posted October 20, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 20, 2020 Occasionally I find I've accumulated rust in some bolt heads: The only way I know to address this would be to remove them and use a toothbrush and maybe naval jelly. Does anybody know a better method? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FromMaine Posted October 20, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 20, 2020 I just take a Q tip and dip it into Ospho ( Phosphoric acid ) and run it around the inside of the socket screw. Ospho changes iron oxide into iron phosphate which provides a hard layer of protection. Won't last forever but way easier than trying to get a toothbrush in there. We use it on ships all the time. Be aware if you get it on your paint and leave it, it will stain. On the other hand look at any can of Coke and you will see it listed in the ingredients, so its not that awful. Any Naval Jelly is going to contain Phosphoric acid, try it, may take longer but should work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer mello dude Posted October 20, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 20, 2020 I've done the naval jelly thing too.. but sometimes with lack of patience, I like a small brass wire round brush that goes on a dremel or drill and fits in the bolt head...Also, HF has stuff like this. But anyhoo, a bit of WD40, shove the brass round in the head, fire the dremel or drill for 30 seconds or so. Cleans it fairly well. Quick and painles and you don't have to take anything apart..... It's not permanent of course...... Just an example.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkie Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Just replace them with stainless bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer mello dude Posted October 21, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 21, 2020 15 minutes ago, Sparkie said: Just replace them with stainless bolts. That works too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer RobF Posted October 21, 2020 Author Member Contributer Share Posted October 21, 2020 51 minutes ago, Sparkie said: Just replace them with stainless bolts. I sense that this is a joke, but I don't know enough metallurgy to get it. Is stainless steel rust-resistant somehow? Also, do clever people really do this to avoid rust issues? Find a proper 3rd-party substitute fastener (length, diameter, pitch, etc.) in stainless and swap it for the OEM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted October 21, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 21, 2020 Two other approaches are EvapoRust / Metal Rescue - both are non-toxic and bind to the rust and hold it in suspension leaving the metal unaffected. I've used it with good success. The downside is that it's not particularly cheap but can be used over and over. The other is vinegar - any mild acid will dissolve rust. I get it a gallon 2-pack of white vinegar at Costco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer RC1237V Posted October 21, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 21, 2020 2 hours ago, RobF said: I sense that this is a joke, but I don't know enough metallurgy to get it. Is stainless steel rust-resistant somehow? Also, do clever people really do this to avoid rust issues? Find a proper 3rd-party substitute fastener (length, diameter, pitch, etc.) in stainless and swap it for the OEM? Stainless bolts are very rust resistant type 18-8 is good, and type 316 is marine grade, which is even better, and made for salt water exposure. Stainless Steel has a high Nickel and Chromium content, making it much less prone to rust than regular steel grades. Just beware if you use a stainless bolt AND nut, you need to use lube, otherwise they can gall and seize. Available at McMasterCarr.com in almost any size and length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer mello dude Posted October 21, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 21, 2020 Lowe's also has a good selection of SS metric A2 bolts ... I have used plenty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer DannoXYZ Posted October 21, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 21, 2020 4 hours ago, RobF said: I sense that this is a joke, but I don't know enough metallurgy to get it. Is stainless steel rust-resistant somehow? Also, do clever people really do this to avoid rust issues? Find a proper 3rd-party substitute fastener (length, diameter, pitch, etc.) in stainless and swap it for the OEM? Metals develop surface oxide layer due to our atmosphere. Aluminium surface turns into aluminium-oxide. Which is anodizing and this seals surface from further oxidation. Steel gets a surface coating of ferrous-oxide which doesn’t have any desirable properties. Underneath surface layer, there’s actually an ion-exchange between ferrous-oxide and ferric-oxide which continues cycle. That’s how rust can continue to grow underneath paint and continues to creep along. And why it’s so difficult to eliminate. You can’t just cover it up because it carries along its own oxygen supply. Stainless-steels have varying amounts of chromium. The exposed chromium on surface turns into chromium-oxide and is strong protective layer like aluminium-oxide. some online sources for stainless metric fasteners: https://stainlesstown.com/metric-fastenershttp://www.allensfasteners.com/ https://www.marshfasteners.com/ (good boat supplies) https://www.nutsandbolts.com/http://www.nutsandboltsetc.com/https://www.newportfasteners.com/https://www.fastenere.comhttp://www.metricbolt.com/best-stainless-steel-fastener-suppliers/https://www.dubro.com/ https://www.boltdepot.com/ McMaster probably has widest selection, but can be pricey. I prefer to find local shop, shipping for handful of nuts and bolts can add up. Used to be one in San Jose, Mr.Metric. I’d place order online in morning and walk in after noon to grab it. Best deal is if you have Fastenal shop nearby. If it’s not in stock, they order for next day. No extra charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkie Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Lolz. The internets. You tell someone to completely hack up every system on their bike and they do it without question. You say use a stainless bolt and they think you are joking. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Skids Posted October 21, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 21, 2020 15 hours ago, RobF said: Also, do clever people really do this to avoid rust issues? Find a proper 3rd-party substitute fastener (length, diameter, pitch, etc.) in stainless and swap it for the OEM? Yes, we do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwiwannafly Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 FYI stainless stains less than steel. But it will stain eventually. The ocean is a great test of the above observation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer VFR78 Posted November 20, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted November 20, 2020 Titanium where I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Tirso Posted November 20, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted November 20, 2020 For those of you in the SF Bay Area (Berkeley) and need metric stainless, Bowlin (https://www.bowlinbolts.com) near San Pablo / Gilman is worth a trip. Owner is friendly and likes if you come with a prepared list. The below was made with Google Sheets. I give them a print out and in a few minutes my order is ready. Though my local Ace Hardware store (Pastime) has an outstanding fastener selection, they are pricey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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