Posted By: TX9H6E4CUDA
a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/19/11 11:18 PM
So I have all these bead blasted,freshly painted bolts for putting together my superbee. How do you keep from guffing up the paint on them? So what are your secrets to acheaving this? This is my first total resto of a car and I want it to look great and something I can be totally proud of......any tips
Posted By: FJ5_Fish
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/19/11 11:21 PM
Not a Guru but - Easy - Put them on before you paint..........
Oh, too late?
You should strip them again, install and hit them with a jamb gun maybe.
Posted By: 70gtx440dana
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/19/11 11:35 PM
I have heard of putting electrical tape or similar inside the sockets. Not sure how good it works but might be worth a try.
Posted By: topside
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/19/11 11:41 PM
Some of the bolts (fenders & hinges, for example) are attached before painting, so they're painted at the same time as the panels if you're painting the car similar to the factory method. For the bolts that you paint and then install later, depending on size/fastener torque, masking tape around the hex, or plastic inserts in the tool socket, work pretty well. Invariably some get touched up. I always make sure I have more than enough fasteners as spares, in case one gets garfed more than I want to touch up.
Posted By: hotairballoonpilot
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/20/11 07:43 AM
I bought a set from snap on a few years ago that were regular sixe sockets with plastic inserts. Worked ok until I needed to tighted the bolts down. The inserts just started rounding out. I would guess that those others listed would do the same. I just touch them up after words. Hate to but like others say paint assembled to avoid.
Posted By: TX9H6E4CUDA
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/20/11 07:57 AM
The reason I cannot paint the bolts while it is assembled is I have almost every piece under the car, other then bolts powder coated and I really do not want to get overspray on my freshly done parts. I will try the electrical tape but of it comes down to it I will just touch them up with a little brush.
Posted By: LimeliteAero
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/20/11 05:10 PM
On two cars that I partially restored I just wrapped the heads with pieces of paper towel, didnt know about the plastic inserts at the time. I know how backyard the paper towel deal is but my paint stayed in perfect condition throughout the assembly process.
Posted By: SportF
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/20/11 11:35 PM
I have played this game a couple of times and I believe the best way to do it is to prime your bolts lightly and either put one light coat of paint on them or none at all. After install, touch them up with a small brush with un-thinned paint. If you fully paint them that paint will chip or curl up and then you have that problem. Fully painted bolts are also larger and don't want to fit in any socket. Touching them up with a brush won't really show due to the finish and contour of the bolt heads.
Posted By: DodgeMaterial
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/21/11 02:54 AM
Dave - You blew it (as in muffler water!) Now you will have to admit all the things we did that were not like the assembly plant... like using hand tools instead of pneumatic tools, taking our time (18 months) instead of 18 hours...etc. Way to go!
Posted By: DodgeMaterial
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/21/11 03:57 AM
Dave, properly restoring a car using common tools and everyday equipment is what inspires awe. If someone had the plant with all of the equipment (dip tank, etc) to build a car it would just be a new car. What you have done with your restorations is really artwork. Accomplishing what the factory did with thousands of people, millions in facility and equipment - with 4 guys in a garage is what people marvel at. Getting those drips on the bottom of the car, or the dip lines on the inside of the quarters is easy with that factory tank...but not so easy to do in a shop or garage. I think everyone on this forum wants to learn how to create that illusion of "factory fresh" without the factory! Using the airbrush to perfect the appearance of an assembly line install is a great example. Keep sharing!
Posted By: anlauto
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/21/11 04:34 AM
It was a joke guys....Somebody has to lighten the mood around here....
Posted By: THESHAKERPROJECT
Re: a question for the moparts resto gurus on bolts - 02/21/11 06:36 PM
To gget back to the orig post, what I have done is very easy. I paint the bolts with very lil primer than spray them body color but keeping the build up of color very low than let them dry for a few days. When I install them I use a plastic ziplock bag and cut a square 1"x1" of plastic to use as a liner for the socket . You need a new liner for every bolt but this has worked many times for me and cost next to nothing. Dave has the best idea if you have a airbrush but if you dont try my trick.