Body Bolt Resto A simple How To

[beater68427]

I was at the shop today restoring some hardware for the beater and a friend came along for some sunday bench racing, to my surprise he had never seen the simple process I was doing. This gave me a idea on a how to thread. Now I know alot of you out there know how to do this but I thought some might like to see how to and be able to do it themselves.

This is a simple Body Bolt Restoration it can be done for next to nothing. A few items are needed a propane torch, some motor oil, pliers, and a way to clean the bolts, you can use a wire wheel bead blast etc but they need to be clean. Remember to check the threads! here are the items needed.



This is our example bolt in need of a restoration.



The first step is going to be cleaning the bolt you need to do a good job at this, it can be done a number of ways, I chose to bead blast them, remember to clean the threads.

[beater68427]

The next step is going to be heating the bolt, I like to use a propane torch, a actual cutting torch will heat way too fast and create a "gun blueing effect" heat the bolt to a goldish color first.



Next you want to soak the bolt in the oil.

[beater68427]

Remove the bolt from the oil after about 30-45 seconds.



At this point I like to do the whole heating process over without removing the oil.

[beater68427]

After you see the oil dissipate resoak the bolt for the last time in the oil.



Remove the bolt after 30-45 seconds.

[beater68427]

Let the bolt cool on its own, this is a before and after.



This a comparison with a new bolt out of the box, "upper bolt" and our restored original bolt lower.

[beater68427]

For around $4.00 and 2-3 hours on the weekend, you can easily restore your underhood body hardware. I thought this type of post might be informative to some, A "How To Post" if this is the kind of stuff you like please chime in, if not well I just wont do it again.....