Painting Fender Bolts- after installation

i also agree with scott on the factory procedure -only because if done like the factory this question wouldn`t arise. BUT...in looking at the paintwork which looks amazing i can see the show benefits of painting things apart-we do it when customers want show type finish-what do we do for the bolts-get yourself another set of new bolts-blast them and dip them in a good thin etching primer then spray them with the same paint color-hopefully direct gloss and not clear over base. let the paint harden and get yourself the snap-on sockets that are lined in rubber to prevent paint chippping-i`m sure you can get 7/16 1/2 and 9/16. that will cover most of your bolts.
good luck
all the best
frank.

Met wrenches turn bolts and nuts by indexing to the flats rather than the traditional socket/wrench that point loads. Couple the use of them with zip lock bag plastic and you have a fighting chance.

Good luck with the issue

Thanks for thew tips so far guys. wasn't really looking for the debate of how the car SHOULD have been painted, just a few "constructive tips".

1cuda...thanks. yep, the paint turned out fantastic. Can you imagine this was painted back in '04? Except for a little dust, it still looks flawless. I'll try the plastic baggy trick. I think when I used the t-shirt, I didn't give enough drying time for the paint. I'll paint a few bolts and let 'em dry for a couple days.

If any more techniques, please feel free to mention them.

nudder.

when it first came home in '05.

Your car looks fantastic, please don't take my comments the wrong way, I wasn't trying to be negative towards you or your car, it was more of a comment for the guys reading this thread who havn't had thier cars painted yet to consider before turning the painter loose on thier cars.

Since they mixed the paint for you why not see if someone local can put paint in a can. Then you can mask and paint.

Gar,
You going back stock with it this time?
I seem to remember you were headed towards a resto mod cruiser sorta thing before .

IF so, go stainless bolts = no paint needed.

I've done the mask and airbrush method with decent results.
Never tried the plastic socket insert method before , although it sounds plausible

wheres your answer to his question John?

They do make sockets with plastic inserts in them, which will prevent the scratching/marring of the paint.........

I'm in the same boat as the original poster. Just got my RR back from paint, only to find out that the painter didn't paint the fenderbolts, etc, in place.

I have to do it all on my own.

One method I had read years ago, was to paint them separately, then slide them into a toaster oven to harden the paint.