Bruce In Philly

2009 C2S 132K miles

My wheel bolts are getting rusty.... anyone paint them? I use an impact gun to remove them.... will any paint hold up to this?

If so, know the color equivalent or something close?

Peace
Bruce in Philly

SweetWater

I have done that in the past with other lugs, and No the paint will not hold up.

Hula

Anodizing is the only painting process that would hold up and that's only for aluminum or titanium.

doclouie

I have clear coated mine several times and they eventually rust again. I hate the look. I am going to go titanium some day. Stainless is not an option because of the metals characteristics.

nicogri

I did this some time ago.

Dismount, clean with metal brush.

3 coats grey color and 2/3 coats clear

It can last if you only tight your bolts once and are not mounting / dismounting much.

When it begin to be less clean you can simply re apply some color.

Anyway I am satasified from now.

Iceter

You can re coat them with the phosphate and oil process pretty easily. I think Eastwood sells a kit, but the basic chemicals are easily sourced. It's not a big investment in time or materials and the results can look professional if you get the rust off first.

doclouie

Is there a certain name for the process?

doclouie

I think I found the answer to my question. This is called Parkerizing and is common within the firearms industry.

Iceter

Well, parkerizing is generally done electrochemically, using more specialized equipment. There are home kits that "parkerize" but the resulting finish isn't as durable as a factory parkerized finish.

Phosphate and oil coating can be done using just immersion. You have to take the piece to bare metal, but once that's done, you submerge it in a phosphoric acid solution, then soak it in oil. The finish is surprisingly durable and can be touched up any time. You can also control the darkness of the coating by the duration of the immersion.

Again, kits are available online and are pretty cheap. It's basically a tub of acid solution and a tub of oil. I have done hundreds of parts (including lugs and lug nuts) over the years.

doclouie

Ohh. I see a science experiment in my future. Where do you buy your phosphoric acid and what type of oil do you use?

Sporty

paint them and bake them in the oven for a more durable finish - might yellow them a little

user 72902

Good suggestions but kind of off the ranch. Long term expensive solution is titanium. Or just buy a new OEM set and your good for another 10 years.

Bruce In Philly

Yea, OEM... that is probably the best and sane thing to do........ I do have some plastidip on the shelf..... hmmm...... bright green..... hmmmmm

Peace
Bruce in Philly

Arctic997

I'm going to paint my lug nuts black for a little more contrast. Going to use the same black and clear Hi temp VH1 I used for my calipers, and then bake 'em at 400 deg F.... Just like my calipers... which seems refreshingly durable.

Hi-Arc

On my list to do as well. I’m going to bead blast and use an epoxy frame paint.