Rusty OEM lug bolts

[dparm]

My OEM lug bolts have started developing surface rust and it really looks awful. Does anyone have any suggestions on cleaning this up? Would rather not replace these if I don't have to, as this seems like it's just cosmetic.

They're zinc-coated from the factory, I believe.

 

[Bgallagher]

You can use a rust remover like Naval Jelly and a wire brush. You could also spray them with a high gloss spray paint but that also might raise concerns of the threads not seating properly with the lug

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
You can use a rust remover like Naval Jelly and a wire brush. You could also spray them with a high gloss spray paint but that also might raise concerns of the threads not seating properly with the lug


That thought had occurred to me. I was thinking of just wrapping the threads with painters tape while I sprayed it.

Wouldn't the socket just chew off the paint and start the process all over again, though? I almost want to find stainless lug bolts or something like that.

 

[gomes512]

I'm having a hard time imaging the bolts would be rusty are you sure you don't mean lug nuts?

I suggest using protective sockets for you lug nuts. Torquestick sells "thin-wall soft socket" sets for $20-30. Made for decorative lug nuts and wheels.

With the current ones I would wire brush, phospho-etch and spray with clear as Bgallagher suggested. Then use only the soft sockets.

 

[gaijinnv]

If you want to go the high class way, you could find a plating shop in your area and have all the bolts plated with a high Phosphorus electroless nickel. This results in a high drability, high corrosion resistance layer of nickel that does not change the dimensions of the bolts the way electroplating would. High Phosphorus electroless nickel is commonly used to refurbish aircraft engine parts - heavy duty stuff.

HTH

 

[HerrStig]

Surely the BMW fanboy sites have alternatives.

 

[LeakySeals]

Try this..

https://youtu.be/tLbzI5Y0ZLg

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: gomes512
I'm having a hard time imaging the bolts would be rusty are you sure you don't mean lug nuts?

I suggest using protective sockets for you lug nuts. Torquestick sells "thin-wall soft socket" sets for $20-30. Made for decorative lug nuts and wheels.

With the current ones I would wire brush, phospho-etch and spray with clear as Bgallagher suggested. Then use only the soft sockets.



BMWs use lug bolts, not lug nuts. There are no studs on the hub. My Audis were the same way.

 

[JMJNet]

Nothing fancy, just wire brush it.

You can get one that can be attached to a drill at HF.

 

[bdcardinal]

All of the newer 2 piece lugnuts and lugbolts have rust issues. I replaced the ones on my car with McGard one piece. We have sold a few sets at work on customers cars with McGards, a lot cheaper than 20 new OEM lugnuts.

 

[spavel6]

I have studs on all my vehicles, but I've tried painting them, and it doesn't really stand up to the impact sockets.

Some manufacturers (VW, Saab) have plastic caps that go over the head, hiding the rust..

 

[HerrStig]

A discussion of the virtue of studs and nuts vs bolts is in order.

 

[Donald]

Get some Evapo-Rust and soak them. Its great stuff if the item is small enough it can be soaked.

Unsure how to treat them after.

The protective sockets are made to protect the rim, not the nut or bolt. Whatever grips the nut or bolt needs to be metal capable of 90 to 100 ft/lbs of torque.

For my Jeep, I have bought SS acorn nuts to replace the plated ones that rust.

My Kubota had 2 lug studs with nuts and several lug bolts. The tires are very heavy and you hang the tire on the stud. Then work on the lug bolts.

 

[deven]

The word "rusty" reminds me of salad fingers...do you like my ruuuuuuuusssty spoooooonss

 

[Traction]

Short of replacing them, one thing that would be a great fix, would be the black plastic lug bolt covers they use on a lot of BMW's, and Audi. They are the same 17mm hex, and just push on, and use a special hook to pull them off. Used, would be best, plus you could test fit. New ones probably cost as much as new lug bolts.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Traction
Short of replacing them, one thing that would be a great fix, would be the black plastic lug bolt covers they use on a lot of BMW's, and Audi. They are the same 17mm hex, and just push on, and use a special hook to pull them off. Used, would be best, plus you could test fit. New ones probably cost as much as new lug bolts.


They're only about $2/each as opposed to $3-4/nut. Not a bad idea either. My previous Audi used them.

 

[Skid]

Copper wool (it's like steel wool) and wd40.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: Skid
Copper wool (it's like steel wool) and wd40.


The copper wool is recommended by Borla for cleaning their polished exhaust tips. I just used their cleaner in a microfiber and they look amazing.

 

[dparm]

Ended up ordering the plastic caps for $0.79 each. I just added them to an order I needed to place for brake pad sensors so it ended up being all of $16, plus $3 for the stupid "puller" tool.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[andyd]

Meh, In 20 yrs of maintaining my 528es, I have only boogered one lug bolt. I sheared the head of one. Once I took the other 4 off, I was able to back it off without trouble. The Rat was a victim of over torqued studs. I had 3 stretched studs on the LF. I keep the wheel stuff, lugs and hubs and the mounting face of the wheels lightly greased with a thin coat chassis grease. I would wire brush them bright and use Wurth wheel touch up paint. Just the heads. If you mask off the wheel, you could do them on the car.