I have ugly lug bolts. |
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I have ugly lug bolts. |
patssle |
Apr 14 2012, 04:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 981 Joined: 28-August 09 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 10,741 Region Association: None |
So my lug bolts are ugly. I've cleaned them with a wirebrush to remove all coatings - then they rust. I've painted them with high-temp spray paint - they look great - but everytime I remove a wheel - they get scraped up and paint flakes off - then that part rusts.
Any solutions? Powder coating would flake off too as well - yes? |
jmill |
Apr 14 2012, 04:32 PM
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#2
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Green Hornet Group: Members Posts: 2,449 Joined: 9-May 08 From: Racine, Wisconsin Member No.: 9,038 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Chrome them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
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jonferns |
Apr 14 2012, 04:42 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,081 Joined: 29-March 07 From: New Jersey Member No.: 7,631 Region Association: North East States |
Polish them
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patssle |
Apr 14 2012, 04:49 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 981 Joined: 28-August 09 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 10,741 Region Association: None |
Chrome or polish with what? If chrome paint, does it stand up to lug wrenches - not getting flaked off?
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jmill |
Apr 14 2012, 04:57 PM
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#5
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Green Hornet Group: Members Posts: 2,449 Joined: 9-May 08 From: Racine, Wisconsin Member No.: 9,038 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Chrome or polish with what? Do they stand up to lug wrenches - not getting flaked off? Take them to a chrome shop and have the ends chromed. You could even silver zinc plate them. They'll stand up for a while. Even longer if you use a good tight fitting socket. If they rust I can't see how polishing them wil help unless you clearcoat or wax the hell out of them. |
SirAndy |
Apr 14 2012, 05:14 PM
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#6
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,636 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
Any solutions? If i'm not mistaken, the factory had covers that one could slide over them ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) |
mrgreenjeans |
Apr 14 2012, 05:29 PM
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#7
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mrgreenjeans Group: Members Posts: 213 Joined: 9-February 07 From: N.Dak. Member No.: 7,520 Region Association: Northstar Region |
Any solutions? If i'm not mistaken, the factory had covers that one could slide over them ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) Thats correct Andy ! On my 4-bar- star style mag steelies that were standard on my 74 - 2.0 litre, the old ones were all smurfed up from the tire shops apparently trying to fit a proper socket over the plastic black cover ! Ripped and rounded into oblivion. I cleaned up the old bolts, had them dipped and bought new plastic black covers to fit over the ends. Looks great and cost hardly anything at the time. Don't know if they are still available at the Porsche parts counter or not, but am sure there are vendors out there selling them. Just don't forget they are on there and let someone with a carefree torque wrench near them again...... |
TheCabinetmaker |
Apr 14 2012, 05:29 PM
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#8
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,300 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
I agree with andy.
They also make"soft sockets" |
tod914 |
Apr 14 2012, 06:29 PM
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#9
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,755 Joined: 19-January 03 From: Lincoln Park, NJ Member No.: 170 |
The original finish was anodized. You could have them redone. Abit more durable than paint, but you'll likely want to use a soft socket like the others suggested to preserve them.
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Grelber |
Apr 14 2012, 07:05 PM
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#10
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Insert favorite Don Rickles joke here. Group: Members Posts: 690 Joined: 30-May 06 From: McKinney, Texas Member No.: 6,107 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I got plastic/chrome covers for mine that looked great. Got them at the local Volvo dealership for under $15.00 for a full set.
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patssle |
Apr 14 2012, 07:07 PM
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#11
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 981 Joined: 28-August 09 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 10,741 Region Association: None |
Interesting - didn't know about soft sockets. I'll look into those - maybe the paint I used will withstand that - which would be great because the color perfectly matches the Mahles.
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bperry |
Apr 14 2012, 07:07 PM
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#12
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Lurker Group: Members Posts: 477 Joined: 16-February 04 From: Dallas, Tx Member No.: 1,661 |
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patssle |
Apr 14 2012, 07:50 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 981 Joined: 28-August 09 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 10,741 Region Association: None |
Or could just paint those lug nut covers. Do they stay on pretty good, no losing one every couple months or so because they fall off?
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JeffBowlsby |
Apr 14 2012, 10:12 PM
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#14
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914 Wiring Harnesses Group: Members Posts: 8,505 Joined: 7-January 03 From: San Ramon CA Member No.: 104 Region Association: None |
Original lug bolts for the alloy wheels are made of steel and silver cadmium plated. Anodizing is a process for aluminum not steel...so the lug bolts are not anodized... sorry Tod.
This pic below is Steve G's original bolts. Those black plastic covers keep water in them, next to the bolt surface...and rust will collect under the cover. I tried the soft socket...it was expensive at something like $25 bucks about 10 years ago. Its a plastic lined socket is all. It lasted awhile, but after torquing the bolts to 90-something ft lbs...the plastic liner eventually fractured in short order. Craig Laughlin posted about the time my soft socket broke, of the old school hot rodders trick...just use a baggy covering the lug bolt, under a conventional socket...and it does a great job of protecting the lug bolt finish. Then toss the baggy. I have used this approach for many years and can attest that it works well. I won't be buying another soft socket. Also, I think any sort of paint for a bearing surface such as a lug bolt, will only have a very limited lifespan. Get them plated for best results. Attached image(s) |
rwilner |
Apr 15 2012, 06:24 AM
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#15
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No Ghosts in the Machine Group: Members Posts: 953 Joined: 30-March 10 From: Boston, MA Member No.: 11,530 Region Association: North East States |
Those black plastic covers keep water in them, next to the bolt surface...and rust will collect under the cover. Also Getting the covers off is a real PITA. The PO thought so too...I have gouges in my wheels where he was levering a screwdriver against them to remove the caps. |
patssle |
Apr 15 2012, 09:19 AM
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#16
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 981 Joined: 28-August 09 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 10,741 Region Association: None |
Great points about the covers - can definitely see how it will trap water/moisture.
Interesting tip about the baggy, I'll do another paint job on one of them and give it try. If it doesn't hold up, I'll find a plater (silver cadmium or zinc). Thanks! |
TheCabinetmaker |
Apr 15 2012, 09:38 AM
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#17
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,300 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
When I worked in a motorcycle shop in the 60' (before baggies), we just used a red shop towel. Never scratched a chrome bolt.
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pete-stevers |
Apr 15 2012, 10:11 AM
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#18
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saved from fire! Group: Members Posts: 2,641 Joined: 10-October 04 From: Abbotsford,BC, Canada Member No.: 2,914 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
be careful with the soft sockets...they crack if you are not careful
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PBC914 |
Apr 15 2012, 03:11 PM
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#19
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Member Group: Members Posts: 192 Joined: 30-December 10 From: Minneapolis Member No.: 12,545 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
A member on here posed the same question about 2 mos. ago. I suggested what I used. My lug bolts looked the same.
I used a bench buffer on each one and they came out looking like chrome. For $60 + the price of the polish stick it was worth it, it just takes some time, and I did them one by one as time allowed. A year later they still look new/polished. Good luck. |
larryM |
Apr 15 2012, 03:31 PM
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#20
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emoze Group: Members Posts: 891 Joined: 1-January 03 From: mid- California Member No.: 65 Region Association: Northern California |
new covers are available at midamerica motorworks - back of catAlog, about $20 for set of 16
also a variety of new chrome bolts , |
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