How to protect exposed threads/bolt?

[visionguru]

I replaced a lower control arm of my Honda Accord recently. The bushing through bolt was super tight. I had to use an impact to beat on it back/forth for 15minutes in order to get it out.

The hex edges took quite a beaten up. Whatever protective treatment there might have all worn off. I cleaned up the rust, put anti-seize, and reused the bolt. Without any protection, it would be a nightmare if I need to remove it the next time.

I'm thinking of putting some paint on the bolt and the exposed threads. What is the professional way of doing it? Special products available?

 

[JohnDeere1]

Grease?

 

[rlitman]

Grease?

I'd recommend Fluid Film before grease, but yeah, grease would be better than nothing. I don't see a problem with paint either.

I've even been known to use blue thread locker in some instances.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Real world answer is worry about it next time.

 

[faiee]

use a graphite anti seize compound such as MIL-T-5544, only apply it to the mating surfaces on the bolt head, washer and the threads of the bolt.
If you care about torque then you will need to calculate the wet torque.

 

[ChaseDE]

What is the professional way of doing it?

buying a new bolt.

 

[Slinger646]

Buy a new grade 8 stainless bolt?

 

[alex71]

Buy a new bolt. But don't bother looking for "grade 8 stainless" Can't be both grade 8 and stainless.

Get the OEM part or equivalent.

 

[zak77]

. I cleaned up the rust, put anti-seize, and reused the bolt.

That's better than what a pro would do. Most would just reuse it as is. I've found that anti-seize is the goto if you need to take it back apart again. I usually REALLY hope i wont have to but if you knew my luck, you'd be slathering anti-seize all over that SOB!!!

 

[sberry]

It would have got penetrating spray and re installed, find something else to worry about.

 

[Ign]

I pretty much agree w most of the sentiments here. Lots of anti-seize and move on w life.

 

[jobo1004]

Buy a new bolt. But don't bother looking for "grade 8 stainless" Can't be both grade 8 and stainless.

Get the OEM part or equivalent.

In addition to that it's a metric fastener, so there's another reason grade wouldn't apply to the replacement.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Throw grease on the bolt shaft where it passes through the bushing, tighten it up. If you're super worried, grease the thread area too. Nothing to worry about on the bolt head.

 

[Wamsutta]

I would remove all the rust with a wire brush and then I would use anti-seize because that's going to stick better than grease. I would use the silver Permatex anti-seize and apply it thoroughly but thinly with an acid brush. Done correctly, the entire bolt will look like it's spray painted silver.

 

[Philbert]

What's wrong with the copper anti seize?

 

[Wamsutta]

What's wrong with the copper anti seize?

I just don't like it. A matter of preference.

 

[bob15]

In addition to that it's a metric fastener, so there's another reason grade wouldn't apply to the replacement.

Metric bolts have a grading system, same as SAE, just different markings.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/steel-bolts-metric-grades-d_1428.html

 

[bob15]

buying a new bolt.

This is the correct answer, if doing it properly.....Buy a replacement OEM bolt

 

[L5wolvesf]

This is the correct answer, if doing it properly.....Buy a replacement OEM bolt

And use ant-seize

 

[mbshop]

If the bolt shows no rust cratering then just put some regular oil on it and reuse. If it has cratering then replace with new. I was never a anti sieze fan. Nuts and bolts tend to loosen using that stuff.

 

[Sugarfryz]

Just put it back in. You got it out once you can do it again.

 

[Slinger646]

Buy a new bolt. But don't bother looking for "grade 8 stainless" Can't be both grade 8 and stainless.

Get the OEM part or equivalent.

Did not know that! Thanks for the knowledge. Is there a reason why? I thought stainless was just another flavor.

 

[Slinger646]

Just put it back in. You got it out once you can do it again.

Yep. Slap an impact on her and run it down to theee ugga-chuggas

 

[Tonyuk]

Wire brush it, bit of anti-seize where the threads contact and moly grease on any exposed areas.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

why not high-temp grease? Same on exposed exhaust bolts for future ease of removal?

 

[Tonellin]

why not high-temp grease? Same on exposed exhaust bolts for future ease of removal?

What high temp is that bolt going to be exposed to? Keep it simple give it a quick brush with antisieze...

 

[jobo1004]

Did not know that! Thanks for the knowledge. Is there a reason why? I thought stainless was just another flavor.

According to this website (https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/materials-and-grades/materials.aspx), many stainless steel varieties can't be hardened through heat treatment due to their low carbon content. As a result many are only slightly stronger than a grade 2 steel bolt.

 

[tonyciambrone]

If it's your personal vehicle and you have tons of time on your hands, brush a light coat farm and implement paint on it. Put some anti-seize on the thread portion, not too much. If you work in a shop everyone's advice applies. There just isn't a good return on that time investment. I will say though, getting 12.9 Metric Flange head bolts in the U.S can be extremely costly, so taking care to be able to reuse isn't the worst idea.

 

[sberry]

I say the car has other problems before this is a real issue again. As I mention we simply spray stuff like that before it goes together. It keeps a little water out, gives some slip during assembly, keeps threads from dry seize and galling. Takes a couple seconds and not messy and doesn't significantly alter but really aids torque values.
If doesn't need replacement unless it has significant damage and doesn't need greasy **** or paint.

 

[EchoOfGecko]

I use Fluid Film for corrosion protection, and/or antiseize on the bolt it's self. Just don't use a petroleum based grease if it's going through a rubber busing, otherwise that bushing won't last very long.

 

[Wamsutta]

why not high-temp grease? Same on exposed exhaust bolts for future ease of removal?

Because anti-seize stays on better. If it's done right, it'll be on like paint. But the key is the acid brush; that's what makes it happen.

 

[kwschumm]

buying a new bolt.

Charge the customer for a new bolt and reuse the old one.

 

[WittHay]

I never put grease and rairly anti-seize on bolts that go through bushings. I just clean the bolts with some emery cloth and put some penetrating oil on the threads.
Last year I had a 2 flange-bolts that were 3/4" x 14" long that went through bushings, the impact spinning them actually cleans most of the rust off.

 

[dogdog]

Nothing is going to help you..... much... tried all those... on my Civic....

Buy a new bolt. (they are pricey as heck from Honda about $15 each exclude shipping... at least for mine)..... moly grease the shaft before you install and leave the head along. it won't rust through... you can paint it, acid brush it with anti seize or grease all you want... a few miles of driving and rain will just render the exposed grease useless for protection..... As long as the shaft is not seized into that bushing.... you can easily take it off the next time.... The reason it takes you 15 minutes or more is because that bolt is seized to the bushing....