Nuts and bolts clean up question

[crackerman]

I've been cleaning and hitting up all the nut and bolts off my GS1000 on the bench wire wheel to get these looking clean. My question is am I taking off the protective clear coat? Will these bolts and nuts have surface rust when they get wet? Do I need to clear coat them?

 

[wedoo2]

I do the same thing and this is a good question. I have not had problems with bolts showing rust after a restoration, but I do use a spray cleaner / polisher from Honda on about everything. The wire wheel does make them look good. Can't imagine needing to paint them.

 

[GateKeeper]

yes they will start to rust....you can paint or have them zinc plated, there are diy kits to do this....or just keep up on the cleaning and you will be good to go...

the other way is, get all new Stainless Steel Allen head nuts and bolts as I did for my rebuild, and don't worry about the rust....

.

 

[chuck hahn]

Throw them in a can with white 8% vinegar over night..wipe clean the next morning with a green dish scrubbie..rinse in water. Dry and apply a rub of light oil to prevent flash rust.

 

[chuck hahn]

OR OR just get a bottle bottle of WIZARDS POWER SEAL and rub that into the metal...wont rust after that. Also will seal engine covers, forks, any other metal from moisture and rust.

http://www.wizardsproducts.com/index.php/how-to-use-wizardsr-mainmenu-5/137-power-seal-metal-sealant

 

[eil]

If you're going for the truly spotless look, I would imagine you could also paint the heads silver and then be extra careful when torquing them down. (I think plastic bag material between the bolt and socket works?)

For the engine cover bolts, Z1 sells a stainless steel allen head bolt kit for pretty cheap. $26 or so, I want to say.

 

[Nessism]

The wire wheel strips a good bit of the remaining zinc, so you can expect the pieces to rust thereafter.

There is a nice thread about home zinc plating here...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=216284

I use a Caswell's kit and love it. Can't imagine doing a restoration without it.

 

[Guest]

I hit mine with a wire wheel and they did rust .
I then replaced them all with stainless (non structural) and with zinc plated high tensile for structural .
They all still look good seven years on .

Cheers , Simon .

 

[oldgrumpy]

I've been cleaning and hitting up all the nut and bolts off my GS1000 on the bench wire wheel to get these looking clean. My question is am I taking off the protective clear coat? Will these bolts and nuts have surface rust when they get wet? Do I need to clear coat them?

................... on both my bikes i have regularly used new stainless steel socket head cap screws with st.st washers as well no rust again regards oldgrumpy

 

[chuck hahn]

Where did you get new stainless engine and tranny mount bolts long enough?? I can get all the others in stainless or any color I choose for sure.

 

[crackerman]

I might try to spray them with a clear coat. Not sure how that's going to look. I'm just looking for a clean finished, doesn't need to be super shiny. If that doesn't work I'll try the other suggestions.

I have all new stainless allen bolts bolts for the engine and carbs.

Thanks everyone

 

[Guest]

I also tried painting the heads on the bolts I wire wheeled .
When I did them up , the paint cracked and looked like $hit .

Cheers , Simon .