Remove surgace rust on nuts and bolts?

[Elky 83]

Whats the best and easiest way to remove surface rust on nuts and bolts? Doing a frame off and don't want to replace all of them. :?:
Thanks,
Mike

 

[dan2286]

Google electrolysis. It is a process that uses a chemical reaction to remove rust.

 

[pontiacman469]

I use emery cloth on alot of my parts..works great

 

[TBRtat2]

Depending on how bad it is, you could wire wheel everything, or you could use "navel jelly" or some other rust converter, available at most auto parts stores, or auto body supply store.

But IMO replace them. Given the cost of nuts and bolts its not worth the hassles of dealing with old hardware, plus new bolts will look better on everything when your done.
Also another thing to consider is the strength of the nuts and bolts after the rust has gotten to them (depending on the severity of the rust).

 

[BrownGP83]

Tha Eastwood company sells tumblers and media just for rust removal on small parts like nuts and bolts and whatever else you can fit. Never used one myself, but i am looking into it whenever i get around to tearing my car down and doing it right.

 

[Blake442]

Tumble vibes work pretty good, but they take forever. I usually just use a wire wheel either on a die grinder or one mounted to a bench grinder. Usually if you're only doing a few bolts at a time, it's just faster that way.

 

[86cutlassrules]

I use zep rust etcher or remover can't remember the name, it comes in gallons at home depot soak the bolts for a few days. Then clean them in the sink with soap and water then oil them or they rust right back up. If they're greasy soak them in straight purple power or castrol super clean over night they'll be like squeeky clean but wash them off and oil them or they flash rust. Also wear gloves that stuff like destroys your hands when used straight. Last but not least use a gravity feed sandbaster with regular play sand in it. The blaster cost like 30 bucks and the 50 pound bag of sand was like 10. It makes bolts look new.

 

[bowtie81]

you can also use muriatic acid