I'm doing a frame off on a 70SS Conv and am having difficulty with clean nuts, bolts, washers, etc.... It's especially important in the engine compartment where you can see the contrasting colors....

I chem strip them, wire brush them, prime them and top coat (even tried POR15 but what a pain) them several times, but it never fails that the paint comes off when installing them? I putting a lot of effort to make everything look right and it looks like s*&^$&^ when the bolts are flaking or different colors.......

Are there nuts/bolts that you can buy with the right finish/color that will look stock and not rust?

thanks.
Duff

Usually the bolts and fasteners are not actually painted, but rather they are plated. There are a number of different types of plating used on a car, including zinc oxide, rainbow irridecent to name but two. Yes, you could probably buy a kit with fasteners and such, but often times you can do as well or better by grouping the fasteners and sending them off for different finishes. Of course that can take time and a lot of research to know what is correct.

Cam - can you or anyone recommend a plating process or company that sells such kits? thanks - Duff

Cam - can you or anyone recommend a plating process or company that sells such kits? thanks - Duff
Most of the suppliers should have them Gound Up, NDP, YearOne. They are supposed to have the correct plating and head markings. They different kits for different areas of the car.

Eastwood has a kit that replicates black phosphate coatings. If done properly it works and looks excellent. I glass bead my bolts, heat the solution by placing the bottles in the sink in hot water, the solution works best when 70 degrees or over. After dipping in the last solution I let them dry for a few days then spray with Eastwoods Satin Clear finish. The clear adds an extra protection. Althoough they won't chip I always use saran wrap on the head of the bolt when tightening. My Hardtop has bolts on there that are going on four years and they still look as good as the day I did them. I also believe Eastwood has a zinc plting kit too for bolts that are silver in color. I used a nickle plating solution a freind had set me up with, unfortunately I cannot offer it for use.

Hope this helps

Rich

richr - you are the second person to recommend plastic. where have i been for 43 years. i'll try that first before i try the eastwood stuff. thanks - Duff

I sand blast mine, then hit them with a wire wheel on a bench grinder. They turn out somewhere between black and stainless. I then spray them with satin clear. When installing, I cut up plastic baggies and put them over the bolt head before putting socket on.

There is usually at least one auction on ebay at any given time that has the "correct" fastener kits for given years. Just someone taking the time to assembly all the "correct" parts together. I'm quoting because I've never bought one to confirm if they are "correct". I get mine at local hardware supplier.

If you have a Cat shop near you they are a great source for larger grade 8 hardware if you don't mind the Cat logo on the bolt head. They are strong, I once started to pull a bolt head through the frame when I got a little aggressive with the cheater bar.

www.amkproducts.com

on line catalogue

40.00 minimum 7.00 shipping

they know their stuff

I agree with MileHiSS. AMK's not cheap but have great products. If you're serious about the restoration, they're definitely the way to go.

I usually clean and use the old bolts to fasten the panels on before and after paint. once all the panels are aligned, I remove one bolt at a time and replace it with a new bolt from kits available through our sponsor or other parts houses. You can normally get a front end fastener kit (bolts, shims, washers) for under $50, without shipping.

thanks everyone.

I use candle wax! Keeps looking good for a long time too and touch up is real easy with a minitorch and a bit of wax.

Just received my California Car Cover catalog and found a set of sockets that are fiberglass reinforced inners. They state these will not "bite" the new paint on your bolts during installation. "Protec Socket Sets" and can be viewed here http://www.calcarcover.com/product.aspx?id=1331&cid=

My catalog shows part # P101 - the 9 pc standard set is $179.99 - the website shows the 12 pc standard set for $239.99

I have no experience with these tools as to whether they work or not - anyone???

I would look into a metal plating shop. I had all the body fastners, shims etc. gold irradated ( sp ) I think they also called it cad 1 for gold, cad 2 for silver. When I did it ( 86-87 ) it maybe 2-3$ per lb. to have done