Do you replace or reuse rusty hardware?

[In The Ten Ring]

By the time my truck is reassembled, I would have cleaned up so many nuts, bolts, washers, and screws, it'll get 30 mpg!

I studiously clean up and plan to reuse every single fastener I can off my truck. Do you do that too or just get new ones?

Do you reassemble without cleaning up the bolts, etc?

These have been in Evaporust soak, hit with a wire wheel, and Permatexed.

[Grumpy old man]

Clean and reuse specialty hardware ,all other hardware upgraded to grade 8 , it's not worth the time to clean old nuts and bolts

[Steven R]

I disassemble bag and tag label, sandblast and paint, then reassemble if possible in the same place they came from. Some always are too far gone or not worth the effort due to corrosion or damage.

I have bought new ones, blasted them and painted to match the originals that I have already restored.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Clean and reuse specialty hardware ,all other hardware upgraded to grade 8 , it's not worth the time to clean old nuts and bolts

I do the exact same thing.

Gary

[In The Ten Ring]

I called a local (well, 3 hours away) plating shop and they can do everything for about $130.00. Dang, we need some illegal labor!

I am thinking about it. My biggest fear is I won't remember what bolt goes where. Maybe I can sort it all out into different types and keep pics, we'll see.

The plating guy suggested a cadmium-gold plate.

Thoughts?

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Clean and reuse specialty hardware ,all other hardware upgraded to grade 8 , it's not worth the time to clean old nuts and bolts

I have done it. It can be very time consuming. Specialty stuff has to be redone from time to time.

[68bowtie]

it sounds like you're a very patient person! good for you though, pretty cool.

[LockDoc]

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I clean ALL of my parts and fasteners then sort out the unusable ones. It works like a charm and cleans a lot of stuff at one time...

LockDoc

[Chknlyps2]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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I clean ALL of my parts and fasteners then sort out the unusable ones. It works like a charm and cleans a lot of stuff at one time...

LockDoc

I clean brass that way for reloading using stainless steel pins for media, never thought about using it for hardware.... pretty nifty!

[HO455]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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I clean ALL of my parts and fasteners then sort out the unusable ones. It works like a charm and cleans a lot of stuff at one time...

LockDoc

Hi LocDoc do you use anything in your mixer with the fasteners? Or is it a secret recipe?
HO455

[Gromit]

I like the grade 8 idea.. also blasting of course but I don't have a sand or baking soda blaster; I think it depends how much time you have until reassembly. I do keep a 5 gallon bucket and some other smaller containers (like a section of 4" ABS pipe with a glued on cap on one end and a removable cap on the top for long pieces) and full of blackstrap molasses. I have found I can degrease a bunch of fasteners and then throw them into the molasses to soak for a couple of weeks and they come out pretty good in terms of rust removal. They do start to rust again right away out of the molasses so I have to get some kind of coating on them right away.

One good thing about molasses is it is pretty organic so disposal is easy (I don't put chrome stuff in there, nor in my DIY battery charger electrolysis set up)...

I have found that all of those trips to the hardware store can add up too... and even though my local Ace Hardware has an excellent selection of fasteners they often are not exactly the same as stock - either the thread count is different or the overall length or head profile, etc. Original has its charms..

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I've been cleaning mine up, though I have the luxury of no pitting and a dry climate. Yes it takes a lot of time. Today I spent near two hours just cleaning J-nuts for the fenders, though once I figured out how to get inside, about 5 minutes each.

As opposed the evap. rust, ever try soaking parts in white vinegar for 24 hours or so? Follow that with WD-40, brushes and a Dremmel, if the metal is good they come out like new. I don't use vinegar for the finer objects, such as those star washers. Soak in WD-40 instead. I have a BEAUTIFUL set of mirror reinforcements in WD right now. Left them in vinegar overnight, a little brushing and they're near done. Maybe 5 minutes each in the morning, good as new.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

I've been cleaning mine up, though I have the luxury of no pitting and a dry climate. Yes it takes a lot of time. Today I spent near two hours just cleaning J-nuts for the fenders, though once I figured out how to get inside, about 5 minutes each.

As opposed the evap. rust, ever try soaking parts in white vinegar for 24 hours or so? Follow that with WD-40, brushes and a Dremmel, if the metal is good they come out like new. I don't use vinegar for the finer objects, such as those ground washers. Soak in WD-40 instead. I have a BEAUTIFUL set of mirror reinforcements in WD right now. Left them in vinegar overnight, a little brushing and they're near done. Maybe 5 minutes each in the morning, good as new.

That might be worth a try. Evaporust isn't cheap. I only go that route since I have zero space for a blasting cabinet.

Shady Rascal, that Shady Rascal you speak of seems like a sharp fellow and not a bad guy at all. I'm glad he did well there.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

That might be worth a try. Evaporust isn't cheap. I only go that route since I have zero space for a blasting cabinet.

Shady Rascal, that Shady Rascal you speak of seems like a sharp fellow and not a bad guy at all. I'm glad he did well there.

White vinegar works amazing, and I reuse it until it's not reusable.

[special-K]

It depends on condition. I soak in Osphos and coat with mineral oil on to store. Any factory part that can be saved is worth the effort. That's restoration, has nothing to do with production. I just put new leaf springs on my '72 and the original bolts were so clean I reused them. If new grade 8 bolts are from China I figure I'm better off with the 40 year old ones.

[Shady Rascal]

I have them replated. At a dollar per pound, you can do every fastener on the entire truck for less than a 50 dollar bill. It is really nice for little springs and brackets and clips.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Shady Rascal

I have them replated. At a dollar per pound, you can do every fastener on the entire truck for less than a 50 dollar bill. It is really nice for little springs and brackets and clips.

Those look great. What plating is that? Zinc?

Thanks, Rg

[Shady Rascal]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Those look great. What plating is that? Zinc?

Thanks, Rg

It's called clear zinc. They also have black and yellow if you prefer. Pretty much any moderate sized urban area will have a plating shop. I found mind through a quick google search and haven't ever bought much new hardware since then. My shop has a 25 dollar minimum charge for the first 25 pounds plus one dollar per pound over 25. You can plate a lot of hardware and widgets for 25 pounds. Four day turn around time.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by Shady Rascal

It's called clear zinc. They also have black and yellow if you prefer. Pretty much any moderate sized urban area will have a plating shop. I found mind through a quick google search and haven't ever bought much new hardware since then. My shop has a 25 dollar minimum charge for the first 25 pounds plus one dollar per pound over 25. You can plate a lot of hardware and widgets for 25 pounds. Four day turn around time.

Calling one tomorrow. I have found out my Permatexing doesn't stop flash rust on at least some of the stuff I have sprayed it on.

I wish I had found out sooner but this is a learning process on my truck.

[Ruscal]

Originally Posted by Shady Rascal

I have them replated. At a dollar per pound, you can do every fastener on the entire truck for less than a 50 dollar bill. It is really nice for little springs and brackets and clips.]

I had my motorcycle hardware cad plated during yearly maintenance. They would bake it after plating to stop hydrogen embrittlement. Everything looked like new.
Russ

[pwdcougar]

Originally Posted by Shady Rascal

I have them replated. At a dollar per pound, you can do every fastener on the entire truck for less than a 50 dollar bill. It is really nice for little springs and brackets and clips.

Must be nice to live in an area where you can get this done. Here in NJ most of the plating shops have gone out of business because of the environmental laws.

Paul

[cleszkie]

Its my understanding that the plating shops located in states along the border have the work done in Mexico where environmental concerns are non-existent, and labor is cheap. Same goes for the paint shops.

[Eddie H.]

Originally Posted by Shady Rascal

I have them replated. At a dollar per pound, you can do every fastener on the entire truck for less than a 50 dollar bill. It is really nice for little springs and brackets and clips.

If you don't mind me asking, what company do you use for the plating?

[Shady Rascal]

Originally Posted by Eddie H.

If you don't mind me asking, what company do you use for the plating?

Arrow Plating. One block south of Berry street, west of I35. Take Berry exit off of 35 and go west. There is a RaceTrac there on the corner. Head west on Berry and turn left just before the road heads up over the big bridge over the tracks.

http://www.arrowplating.com/

[Eddie H.]

Thanks, I will check them out.