painted bolts

[fodobaggins]

Alright so I've got a question. On all of yous guys' vehicles you have gorgeous paint on, how is all the painting done in a way where you don't mess up the pain on assembly. I see most of the cars are not painted with the body put on, or at least if it is, it has be taken apart for REassembly.

everytime i've put a wrench on a painted bolt it messes up the paint. so maybe it's just a detail I've over looked in the past, but edjumacate a young fella.

[69LT1Nova]

I used Dupli-Color clear wheel paint on all my hardware. It was a major PITA to prep all the small stuff and then paint it, but it looks like factory original (without the rust).

The wheel paint resists chipping a lot better than normal paint.

Another way to go is STAINLESS. :yum:

[yellowrallys]

powder sometimes is more durable than paint. Or you can use cadium or other types of plated or stainless hardware.

[Bryce]

i only use stainless but if it is a structural fastener i use 180,000 psi tensile strength Socket Head Cap Screws that are alloy steel and black. to preserve the black finish i use gun metal blueing.

[Ripped]

I see this on Fender Bolts, for example.

Try getting a large plastic washer. Place it under the washer between the fender.

Line everything up.

Once you are satisfied everything is located permanently where it goes (ie fender-hood-cowl) then re and re the bolts one by one, and take the plastic washers out.

Many of the original factory bolts have a knurled washer or lockwasher that will leave marks on the paint.

[Jim Nilsen]

Some good tips on how to be carefull. I like stainless and have found a way with a drill,sandpaper and polish to make them like a mirror in less than 1 minute. The hardened black bolts will stay black for years if the coating was good.

There is the age old trick of touchup paint. Once they are on you just get out the Testors model brush and paint it again. If you can assemble a whole car and never need touch up paint on something, you are almost like a god in my book. Something somewhere always chips or gets scratch.